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Schneider Electric and Next-Gen GPU Support

In an exciting announcement made on October 13 in Boston, Massachusetts, Schneider Electric has underscored its commitment to supporting the transition to DC800V power architecture, essential for next-generation data centers. This innovative architecture is tailored for high-density rack systems, which are fundamental for future AI workloads.

The Need for DC800V Infrastructure

The industry is rapidly evolving, and traditional 54V rack power distribution is no longer adequate for the upcoming megawatt-scale racks that will be employed in state-of-the-art AI manufacturing facilities. Schneider Electric is at the forefront of this transformation, emphasizing the necessity of a scalable DC800V power distribution system that includes integrated battery solutions.

In collaboration with NVIDIA, Schneider Electric is developing a sidecar DC800V system capable of supporting racks with power requirements of up to 1.2 MW, specifically designed to power the next-generation NVIDIA GPUs and NVIDIA accelerated computing infrastructures.

Key Features of the Schneider Sidecar System

The sidecar system is built to convert AC power supplied to the data center into efficient DC800V power. This enables safe and efficient energy provisioning for megawatt-scale racks while minimizing raw material and infrastructure costs. Among the system’s standout features are:

• - Industry-Leading Efficiency: Designed for optimal performance in energy consumption.
• - Modular Power Conversion Shelves: Promotes flexibility and scalability for evolving power needs.
• - Battery Integration for Backup: Supports short-term backup and load smoothing with modular battery solutions.
• - Live-Swap Capabilities: Enhances safety and uptime by allowing power components to be replaced without service interruption.

This sidecar system is a testament to Schneider Electric's comprehensive systems-level approach, which focuses on the overall infrastructure rather than just individual components.

Comprehensive System-Level Innovation

Schneider Electric’s commitment to a system-level approach integrates critical aspects of power transformation, intelligent measurement, and protection mechanisms. This holistic design ensures:

• - Consistent and Validated Performance: Meeting rigorous industry standards for reliability.
• - Simplified Maintenance and Scalability: Streamlining operations for data center managers.
• - Operational Efficiency Improvements: Enhancing the overall productivity of data center resources.

The innovative, system-level strategy is a crucial technology for supporting the introduction of high-density racks that demand stricter controls over power delivery and reliability.

Expertise in Safety and Reliability

With years of experience, Schneider Electric has established a strong reputation for enhancing power reliability and safety. The company employs advanced modeling and simulation techniques along with real-world laboratory testing to validate solutions that include:

• - Thorough Fault Current and Arc Flash Analysis: Ensuring all systems are safe under failure conditions.
• - Certified Testing Environments: Guaranteeing performance in real-world scenarios without compromising operational continuity.
• - Live Swap Power Functionality: Enabling safe maintenance without interrupting data center operations.

This expertise empowers customers to confidently adopt DC800V systems that meet the highest standards in operational safety and resilience.

Aligning with Industry Transformation

As a pivotal player within the NVIDIA ecosystem, Schneider Electric is contributing to a broader transformation supporting next-generation architectures that require enhanced power infrastructures. Dion Harris, Senior Director of NVIDIA’s HPC, Cloud, and AI Infrastructure Solutions GTM, notes, "The scalable power architecture maximizes performance and efficiency of the next-generation AI infrastructure. Together, Schneider Electric and NVIDIA will design and deliver advanced power architectures for DC800V systems that enable the execution of AI applications and shape the future of the AI industrial revolution."

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric’s purpose is to empower all people to maximize their use of energy and resources, leading to progress and sustainability. This commitment is encapsulated in their motto, “Life Is On.”

The company aims to be a trusted partner in sustainability and efficiency, leveraging its world-class expertise in electrification, automation, and digitalization to deliver integrated IoT solutions designed for smart manufacturing, resilient infrastructure, future-ready data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive home automation. With a deep ecosystem of over 160,000 employees and more than 1 million partners spanning over 100 countries, Schneider Electric embodies a people-centric philosophy, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in all business activities to ensure a sustainable future for everyone.