Schneider Electric Unveils New Research and IT Innovation to Meet the Demands of a Digital-First Future

Mumbai: Schneider Electric today released a research report to foster an understanding of how digitized and smart applications will be powered in the future. The report titled Digital Economy and Climate Impactpredicts IT-sector related electricity demand is expected to increase by nearly 50% by 2030. Yet, as the electricity system decarbonizes, emissions would not increase by more than 26% by that time. To help mitigate this rise in emissions, the Schneider Electric TM Sustainability Research Institute recommends continued efforts in achieving efficiencies on the IT and energy sides at both the component and system levels. Released at an exclusive media event presented virtually from Schneider Electric’s Boston Hub, the report highlights how the rise of edge computing requires a specific focus as these systems are expected to be less efficient than hyperscale data centers from a PUE standpoint.

“When the world locked down it also logged on and internet traffic soared,” said Pankaj Sharma, EVP, Secure Power, Schneider Electric. “It’s misleading to assume that digital activity will inevitably result in a deeply problematic increase in CO2 emissions. The analysis from the Schneider Electric Sustainability Institute puts to rest many of the worst-case scenario claims predicting IT-related electricity use will double every five years. That said, as an industry, we must remain vigilant in finding new sources of sustainability gains while ensuring resiliency as digital keeps life moving forward.”

Sharing his thoughts Mr. Venkatraman Swaminathan, VP & Country General Manager, India & SAARC, Secure Power Division, Schneider Electricadded, “The world has been experiencing an evolution in the technological shift towards a sustainable model of operations. India is on a journey of transformation and businesses are embracing green energy supported by cutting-edge technology that aims at improving efficiency and business outcomes. At Schneider Electric, we believe in co-creating an ecosystem of growth and sustainability. Our endeavor is to innovate and build future-ready solutions that can be leveraged by businesses to re-imagine their approach towards digital revolution and create a benchmark on the global map of energy efficiency.”

In addition to releasing the research report, Schneider Electric also announced updates to its EcoStruxure™ IT data center infrastructure management software and Galaxy™ VL 3-phase uninterruptable power supply (UPS). All introductions are designed to advance the industry forward in meeting sustainability goals while increasing the resiliency of IT and data center infrastructure.

EcoStruxure IT software updates reduce complexity in managing hybrid data center and edge IT environments

Increasing demands on digital consumption, which are explored in the new research report, create a more complex hybrid environment inclusive of enterprise, cloud, and edge data centers. To address the unique management challenges of a hybrid IT environment, Schneider Electric has announced updates to its EcoStruxure IT software to increase efficiency and resiliency, including:

• Increased remote management capabilities: New granular remote device configuration features enable users to change configurations on one or more devices – including the new Galaxy VL and APC Smart-UPS Ultra single-phase UPS units – from one centralized platform with EcoStruxure IT Expert. This update, combined with previously released software insights on device security health, enables the user to identify faulty devices or configurations and address them in a matter of clicks, keeping their hybrid IT environment secure.
• Improved environmental monitoring: Environmental monitoring systems ensure users have eyes and ears on data center and IT deployments from anywhere, anytime. With this update, users can push mass configurations remotely for NetBotz cameras 750 and 755 quickly and efficiently increasing security across the critical infrastructure.
• Enhanced remote capacity modeling and planning: With EcoStruxure IT Advisor’s new capabilities, users can remotely compare an unlimited number of racks and easily identify available capacity, view what assets are deployed and their dependencies.

Redesigned Galaxy Lithium-ion battery solution enables greater space savings, faster recharge, and installation, and enhanced safety

The newly released Galaxy VL, the most compact of its class, modular and scalable 3-phase UPS in the 200 – 500 kW range with efficiency levels up to 99 percent, now features redesigned Galaxy Lithium-ion battery cabinets, providing a sustainable, high-density, and innovative energy storage solution for data centers, industrial processes, and critical infrastructure. The exclusive cabinets are compatible across the full Galaxy V Series.

A Green PremiumTM offer, this UL9540A-compliant battery solution reduces battery footprint and weight by up to 70 percent, allowing more effective use of space. The new cabinets enable two to three times faster recharge than VRLA solutions as well as faster installation and enhanced system availability with patented redundant self-powered internal power supplies.

Lithium-ion batteries reduce the total cost of ownership by doubling battery life, lowering installation and maintenance costs, plus reducing cooling needs, as they operate at higher temperatures than VRLA. The included real-time battery management system improves battery system visibility, predictability, and manageability. The modular, touch-safe design simplifies maintenance and increases operator safety.