Schneider Electric's Software-Defined Power Solutions Pave the Way for AI-Ready Data Centers

Schneider Electric is revolutionizing data center infrastructure with the introduction of software-defined medium voltage switchgear and high-density power solutions, designed to meet the escalating demands of AI and high-performance computing.

The digital landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven largely by the exponential growth of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. This shift is placing unprecedented demands on data center infrastructure, particularly concerning power distribution and management. Recognizing this critical need, Schneider Electric recently unveiled a suite of innovative power solutions at YOTTA 2026 in Las Vegas. These advancements, highlighted by the world's first fully software-defined medium voltage switchgear, aim to accelerate the deployment and scaling of AI-ready data centers, ensuring electrical systems can evolve dynamically with the demands of these advanced digital factories.

The Dawn of Software-Defined Power Infrastructure

The core of Schneider Electric's latest offerings lies in its pioneering Software-Defined Medium Voltage (MV) architecture. This concept builds upon the company's broader vision of Software-Defined Energy, fundamentally decoupling system intelligence from physical hardware. This architectural shift creates a novel paradigm for designing, deploying, and operating electrical infrastructure. The key benefit is an unprecedented level of flexibility, allowing power systems to adapt and scale at the same rapid pace as the AI operations and digital services they are designed to support.

Traditional medium voltage switchgear systems are typically custom-engineered, leading to lengthy procurement and commissioning cycles. Schneider Electric's software-defined approach replaces these bespoke systems with standardized, modular hardware. Functionality, previously hardwired, is now largely managed through software, enabling features and performance enhancements to be implemented without physical modifications. This digital-first deployment strategy, incorporating standardized modules and automated testing, significantly streamlines ordering, manufacturing, commissioning, and on-site acceptance processes. According to comparisons detailed in Schneider Electric White Paper 303, this method can result in up to three times faster ordering and manufacturing, and twice as fast commissioning and on-site acceptance testing, compared to conventional engineered-to-order MV switchgear. Furthermore, it drastically reduces system complexity, with one comparison showing an 87% reduction in control wiring, 91% fewer terminals, and 85% less copper, while simultaneously enhancing operational visibility through digital connectivity and analytics.

This lifecycle flexibility is a game-changer. The ability to perform over-the-air updates means system upgrades can occur without the need for hardware replacement or operational downtime. Coupled with software-enabled capabilities, this allows for continuous optimization and predictive maintenance, leveraging AI-powered tools through services like EcoCare. A live pilot program with Equinix, a leading colocation data center provider, is already demonstrating the efficacy of this Software-Defined MV approach in an operational environment. Broader availability is anticipated in 2028, following pilot programs extending through 2027.

Expanding the Eco-Friendly MV Portfolio with RM AirSeT™ 38

Complementing the software-defined architecture, Schneider Electric also announced the RM AirSeT™ 38 Software Defined. This latest addition extends the company's successful AirSeT™ platform of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)-free secondary medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). RM AirSeT 38 expands the voltage range of this environmentally conscious platform from 24 kV to 38 kV, specifically catering to the evolving needs of next-generation AI data centers.

As AI and high-performance computing drive ever-increasing power densities, many data center operators are transitioning to 36/38 kV MV architectures. This higher voltage allows for greater power capacity, simpler MV backbone designs, and more scalable campus deployments. RM AirSeT 38 is designed to meet this demand, offering hyperscalers and colocation providers enhanced flexibility in modernizing their electrical distribution strategies. Its key advantages include its SF₆-free technology, which utilizes pressurized pure air insulation and vacuum interruption instead of SF₆, a potent greenhouse gas. The compact GIS design supports space-constrained, high-density installations, facilitating standardized and repeatable MV architectures across data center deployments. Furthermore, its inherent software-defined capabilities simplify configuration, accelerate commissioning, and support lifecycle evolution, while integrated digital monitoring and sensing options provide essential operational visibility, configurable to specific cybersecurity requirements. Order intake for RM AirSeT 38 is slated for 2027, with first deliveries expected in 2028.

High-Density UPS Power for AI Workloads: Galaxy VXL

Beyond medium voltage distribution, Schneider Electric also highlighted its Galaxy VXL, a state-of-the-art high-density, modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This system is engineered for the demanding power profiles of AI workloads and large-scale digital infrastructure, delivering industry-leading power density, operational efficiency, and resilience within an ultra-compact footprint.

AI deployments lead to higher rack densities and dynamic load profiles, necessitating power infrastructure that can respond rapidly to fluctuating demand while maximizing usable space. Galaxy VXL addresses these challenges, ensuring reliable, high-quality power delivery crucial for scalable growth and continuity in AI and high-performance computing environments. It offers up to 1.25 MW in a single frame, reducing space requirements by up to 70% compared to previous systems, thus maximizing IT capacity. Its design prioritizes energy-efficient operations, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership and supporting long-term sustainability goals, including a 31% reduction in lifecycle CO₂ emissions. The system is validated for AI workloads, guaranteeing power quality, resilience, and availability for high-density compute environments. Galaxy VXL also features a scalable, service-friendly architecture, incorporating Schneider Electric's third-party verified Live Swap technology, which allows operators to add, upgrade, or replace power modules without planned downtime, ensuring continuous operation. Integrated EcoStruxure™ monitoring and digital services provide comprehensive visibility, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle optimization across critical power infrastructure. The Galaxy VXL is currently available globally, supporting both Lithium-ion and VRLA battery technologies to offer flexible energy storage options.

Why it matters

The exponential growth of AI and high-performance computing is placing unprecedented stress on existing data center infrastructure, particularly concerning power delivery and management. For telco providers, data center operators, and in-field technicians, these innovations from Schneider Electric represent a crucial step forward. Software-defined power architectures promise faster deployment, reduced complexity, and enhanced operational flexibility, directly addressing the need for rapid scaling of AI factories. The adoption of SF₆-free medium voltage switchgear aligns with increasing environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals, impacting long-term operational costs and carbon footprint. Furthermore, high-density UPS systems ensure continuous, reliable power for demanding AI workloads, minimizing downtime and maximizing the return on significant AI investments. These developments underscore a fundamental shift towards more intelligent, adaptable, and sustainable power infrastructure, essential for supporting the next wave of digital innovation and preventing bottlenecks in the global AI expansion. The Financial Times noted these announcements during the YOTTA 2026 event, highlighting their significance for the future of digital infrastructure.