Schneider Electric Targets AI Data Centers With Intelligent Power Distribution

As artificial intelligence (AI) drives the expansion of data centers, power supply systems are undergoing significant changes. Data center capacity is increasing from tens of megawatts (MW) to 100–200MW, while next-generation AI server racks are expected to consume more than 1MW each. Surging power demand is pushing up incoming supply voltages and increasing the importance of technologies that ensure stable power delivery at every stage.

Responding to these trends, French energy management company Schneider Electric presented integrated solutions covering high-voltage distribution, server power delivery and liquid cooling. At Data Center Korea 2026, held in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, on Nov. 4, the company showcased high-voltage switchgear, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), coolant distribution units (CDUs) and integrated operations software under the theme “From Grid to Chip, From Chip to Cooling.”

1. Higher Incoming Voltages as Data Centers Expand

As AI data centers grow, the first major change occurs in the equipment receiving electricity from external power grids. Conventional data centers typically receive power at 22.9 kilovolts (kV), while large-scale facilities use 154kV supplies. In such cases, data centers must install their own substations to step down the voltage to 22.9kV.

Receiving electricity at higher voltages also increases investment in on-site substations and distribution equipment. “In the past, power infrastructure was not an area that frequently required large-scale investment,” a Schneider Electric official said. “However, growing data center power demand has increased investment in equipment for power intake and distribution.”

Data centers step down high-voltage electricity received from external grids at substations before distributing it through high-voltage switchgear. The switchgear distributes electricity and protects equipment by interrupting current through circuit breakers when abnormalities occur. Distribution transformers then reduce the voltage to low-voltage levels, such as 380 volts (V), allowing low-voltage switchgear to supply power to UPS systems and cooling equipment. Schneider Electric offers products covering each stage of this process. Its intelligent power control centers (IPCCs) and intelligent motor control centers (IMCCs) also provide automatic transfer functions that switch power supply routes to backup sources when the primary supply fails.

2. How 800V DC Will Change UPS and Battery Roles

Power delivery architectures are also expected to change as AI servers consume more electricity. Nvidia is pursuing the adoption of an 800V high-voltage direct current (DC) architecture for next-generation AI data centers. Higher voltages reduce the current required to deliver the same amount of power, lowering heat generation and transmission losses in wiring. High-voltage DC architectures can also improve efficiency by reducing the number of power conversion stages.

“We are preparing a roadmap toward an eventual transition to fully DC-based systems,” a Schneider Electric official said. “Because the transition to DC will take considerable time, UPS systems may still be used during the interim, but some applications may no longer require them once the transition is complete.”

As power delivery systems shift toward DC, other power equipment, such as solid-state transformers (SSTs), could replace certain UPS functions. Batteries, however, are expected to remain essential for managing sudden fluctuations in AI server loads. “AI workloads cause substantial power fluctuations, which could destabilize the upstream power grid unless batteries supply electricity,” the official said. “We expect the role of batteries, including battery backup units (BBUs), to become even more important.”

3. Integrated Management From Chip Cooling to Power Equipment

Cooling systems are becoming increasingly important as AI servers consume more electricity. Rising heat output from graphics processing units (GPUs) makes it difficult for conventional air cooling systems to handle thermal loads. In particular, growing power consumption per server rack is accelerating the adoption of liquid cooling technologies that deliver coolant directly to chips.

Schneider Electric acquired liquid cooling specialist Motivair last year, securing direct-to-chip (D2C) cooling and high-capacity thermal management technologies. At the event, it showcased Motivair’s MCDU-25 coolant distribution unit. CDUs regulate the temperature and flow rate of coolant supplied to servers.

AI data centers also require technologies that integrate the management of power and cooling equipment, as disruptions in either system can affect server operations. Schneider Electric links its electrical power management system (EPMS) with its building management system (BMS) to provide integrated management of power and cooling infrastructure.