The rapid ascent of artificial intelligence (AI) has catalyzed an increase in data processing needs, substantially boosting the demand for effective cooling systems. Recognizing this trend, Schneider Electric has launched a new production facility in Bangalore, dedicated to innovating cooling solutions that cater to the expanding data centre ecosystem. This facility will serve various sectors including data centres, telecommunications, and industrial applications, both domestically and internationally, with 85% of its manufactured products earmarked for export. The focus is primarily on developing cooling systems that deliver targeted cooling directly to heat sources, optimizing server performance while reducing energy consumption.

Pankaj Sharma, EVP of Secure Power Division & Data Center Business at Schneider Electric, discussed with ET Online the notable growth of India’s data centre sector, driven by advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other data-centric technologies. This growth has encouraged the French multinational to enhance its operations and focus on augmenting India’s data centre infrastructure while also serving the global market.

Sharma highlighted Schneider Electric’s strategic initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of the energy-demanding data centres around the globe. The demand for data centres has been steadily increasing, further accelerated by AI, with projections showing that global energy consumption by data centres could triple in the near future. Schneider Electric had already been at the forefront of sustainable innovation, developing solutions across the entire power distribution landscape. Their UPS systems and air-based medium voltage switchgear significantly contribute to sustainability efforts. The EcoCare programme is particularly noteworthy for optimizing core technology lifecycle management in data centres, focusing on components like switchgear, UPS, and cooling systems to ensure efficient operation and minimal energy wastage. Sharma also discussed the innovations in liquid cooling systems that are planned for production at the Bangalore facility. These innovations are integral to Schneider Electric's strategy to address the sustainability challenges posed by the new demands.

When asked about the unique attributes of the Bangalore cooling plant, Sharma emphasized its alignment with the government's Make in India initiative and described the facility as a pivotal part of India's innovation ecosystem, expected to scale up significantly to meet both domestic and international demands.

Addressing the broader implications of AI on the industry, Sharma noted that the heightened demand for advanced cooling solutions is crucial for managing the increased heat loads from denser computing environments. The facility is poised to produce state-of-the-art solutions that meet the critical cooling requirements of modern data centres and contribute significantly to the development of robust, sustainable data infrastructure.

In collaboration with Nvidia, Schneider Electric has been developing comprehensive data centre designs, or reference architectures, incorporating Nvidia’s advanced GPUs. These efforts aim to tackle sustainability comprehensively across the data centre ecosystem.

Concluding the discussion, Sharma expressed optimism about India's innovation ecosystem and its business environment. He noted that India remains one of Schneider Electric’s major hubs of innovation, with continuous demand expected for their services, supported by various government initiatives requiring their advanced technology solutions. He also mentioned that India’s SMT line in power electronics is an example from which the world can learn, reflecting the country’s capacity for technological leadership and innovation. Such hubs are set to continue evolving and collaborating, further cementing India’s role in the global technology landscape.