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Schneider Electric and EcoXpert Achieve Recognition

On May 28, 2025, Schneider Electric™, a leader in energy management and automation, and its longstanding partner, Advanced Power Technology (APT), celebrated winning the 'Data Centre Consolidation/Upgrade Project of the Year' award at the prestigious DCS Awards. This accolade recognizes their collaborative effort in deploying a state-of-the-art modular data centre at The Pirbright Institute, which is essential in advancing scientific research and fostering collaboration.

The new 'Containerised Data Centre (CDC)' was completed ahead of a stringent 12-week schedule, demonstrating not only the expertise of Schneider Electric and APT but also the importance of scalable and energy-efficient solutions in today’s fast-evolving technological landscape. The installation enables The Pirbright Institute to further its viral research capabilities while embracing modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC).

Future-Proofing Scientific Research

The Pirbright Institute holds a prominent position in global viral research, focusing on diagnostics and surveillance of viruses that affect farm animals and can cross over to humans. As the digital landscape continuously transforms, the institute required an infrastructure capable of supporting future technological advancements in their research endeavors.

The partnership between Schneider Electric and APT aimed to modernize The Pirbright Institute’s legacy IT systems without disrupting their ongoing research. The strategy involved implementing a modular data centre solution that could be integrated seamlessly with existing operations while meeting the growing demands for data handling and processing.

The CDC design utilized Schneider Electric’s renowned EcoStruxure platform, a data centre solution that allows for pre-configuration and pre-testing off-site, which significantly accelerates the deployment process. This proved crucial in minimizing disruptions to the institute’s day-to-day operations, thereby allowing continuous service during the modernization process.

High-Tech Advancements

In the upcoming years, as the Pirbright Institute further expands its research capabilities, the new containerized facility will allow for enhanced flexibility and scalability. This will enable the facility to adapt to upcoming technologies such as sequencers and advanced processes for virus analysis, which generate substantial data sets. The upgraded infrastructure's efficiency ensures that the institute can leverage AI and HPC, ultimately accelerating breakthroughs in understanding viral diseases.

Mark Yeeles, Vice President of Schneider Electric UK and Ireland’s Secure Power Division, expressed his pride in receiving this award: “This recognition underscores our dedication to creating efficient and innovative solutions and highlights the critical role data centres play in life sciences research.” Similarly, John Andrew, Solution Architect at APT, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, which offers a secure and scalable research environment for scientists.

Commitment to Sustainability

With the mission of facilitating transformative research, this partnership also aligns with Schneider Electric's overarching goal of promoting sustainability and efficiency across industries. Their commitment is evident in their adoption of eco-friendly technologies and practices, positioning them as a trusted partner in creating sustainable energy solutions.

As The Pirbright Institute continues to expand its scientific capabilities, the infrastructure laid down by Schneider Electric and APT provides a solid foundation for future advancements in viral research. This cooperation exemplifies the potential of industry partnerships in driving innovation and achieving excellence in the digital infrastructure arena.

In conclusion, the recognition received by Schneider Electric and Advanced Power Technology at the DCS Awards not only reflects their excellence in the data centre sector but also their commitment to enhancing global health through advanced research capabilities. Such achievements pave the way for a sustainable future where technology and research work hand in hand.

For more detailed insights, readers can access the full case study on the impact of this project at The Pirbright Institute.