To meet the energy and sustainability challenges of AI data centres, Schneider Electric and Nvidia have developed a new reference design. The liquid-cooled AI cluster supports the decarbonisation of digital infrastructure with high density and up to 132 kilowatts of power. The design is optimised for Nvidia's "GB200 NVL72" and Blackwell chips. It facilitates both infrastructure design and practical implementation. Based on proven and validated architectures, it meets the challenges of large-scale liquid cooling.
Another new product is the ‘Galaxy VXL UPS’. According to the manufacturer, this uninterruptible power supply solution is the most compact of its kind. It saves 52 per cent space compared to the industry average. The system offers a very high power density and has been specially developed for AI, data centres and large electrical loads. With a power density of up to 1042 kilowatts per square metre and an output of 1.25 megawatts, the scalable, modular UPS offers efficient power supply in the smallest of spaces.
“As dependency on large-scale infrastructure systems grows at an unprecedented rate, it’s crucial that customers can access the most sustainable, resilient, and efficient technologies to safeguard their critical systems, while minimizing their energy and environmental impact” said Tarunjeet Sarao, SVP Data Center Systems, Schneider Electric. “Our new 'Galaxy VXL UPS' combines a compact, innovative, and highly efficient design with enhanced safety features, providing world-leading power protection for a wide range of AI, data center, and industrial applications. This ensures the high-density workloads of the future are supported by unparalleled levels of reliability.”
Schneider Electric is partnering with Nvidia
The new reference design from Schneider Electric and Nvidia includes options for coolant distribution and direct-to-chip liquid cooling, as well as comprehensive mechanical and electrical specifications. This is to ensure energy-efficient and sustainable operation for future AI data centres. The design was developed using Schneider Electric software tools, including Ecodial and Ecostruxure IT Design CFD. It can be adapted to the specific requirements of AI workloads. This helps users to take advantage of sustainable and energy-efficient infrastructure designs for high-density applications.
End-to-end solutions for AI data centres
With the new solutions, data centre operators can build a high-density, energy-efficient infrastructure to operate AI workloads in the most sustainable way possible. Schneider Electric is focusing on three core areas:
- Developing an energy strategy for the AI era
- Implementing advanced infrastructures
- Advising on efficiency and sustainability
Energy strategy for the AI era
Schneider Electric helps companies to secure and use renewable energies and to optimise local power generation from sources such as wind, solar and hydrogen. The company offers services to help with site selection and provide geographic analysis based on customer deployment plans. Local power generation is supported by Alpha Struxure, a joint venture between Schneider Electric and global investment firm Carlyle.
Implementing advanced infrastructures
For a wide range of AI requirements, Schneider Electric offers high-density and energy-efficient infrastructure systems with an output of more than 100 kilowatts per rack. These include data centre infrastructure components from the network to the chip and from the chip to the chiller. It also includes AI-powered remote monitoring and energy management software, as well as digital services to optimise the lifecycle. The new "Galaxy VXL UPS" is the latest addition to the comprehensive infrastructure solutions portfolio. For the first time, this uninterruptible power supply offers customers a scalable and modular solution with 125 kilowatt/3U power modules in an area of 1.2 square metres, which can support up to 1.25 megawatts of critical load in a single chassis and up to five megawatts with four units connected in parallel in just 4.8 square metres.
In addition, Schneider Electric has recently signed an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Motivair. This is intended to expand the portfolio in the area of liquid cooling and to strengthen expertise in the areas of direct-to-chip liquid cooling and high-performance thermal solutions.
Schneider Electric is driving down the energy consumption of AI
Schneider Electric is taking a science-based approach to reducing the energy consumption of AI. At the heart of this approach is "Energy Intelligence for Sustainable AI", which the company sees as the integration of AI-driven applications into the data centre infrastructure. This not only reduces the energy consumption of AI. It also opens up the possibility of using AI as a tool for broader decarbonisation efforts and efficiency improvements in all industrial sectors.
