Schneider Electric invests US$875,000 to collaborate with the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed in Singapore

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  • Schneider to provide energy management solutions on top of the investment
  • Tropical climates add extra complexity in maintaining controlled cooling for data centres

Tropical data centres have challenges pertaining to significant power and cooling consumptions, carbon footprint, and increasing rack density. 

Schneider Electric is investing US$875,000 (RM4 million) to collaborate with the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT) – Asia’s first-of-its-kind data centre testbed specifically designed for the tropical climate. The STDCT is funded by the National Research Foundation, Singapore and hosted at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and supported by a consortium of industry partners, while research activities at the STDCT are co-led by NUS and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Significant power and energy consumption is typically required to maintain controlled environments in data centres, especially in tropical climates, resulting in high costs and carbon emissions. The testbed therefore aims to pioneer green and efficient cooling solutions for data centres located in the tropics to operate optimally. The STDCT also aims to establish operating guidelines and set industry standards by leveraging proven findings from its technologies and commercialising potential solutions.

As part of the partnership, Schneider Electric will provide its solutions such as its Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, fan walls, busways, and Smart Low-Voltage (LV) Panels. Additionally, the STDCT will be integrated with Schneider Electric’s building management system, EcoStruxure Building Operations – an open and scalable next-generation building management solution that comprises an integrated ecosystem of smart devices, software, apps, and services. One of Schneider Electric’s premier Edge Control offerings, EcoStruxure Building Operations also features an energy management interface that allows the management team to monitor, benchmark, analyse, and adapt the testbed’s performance for increased energy and operational efficiency. 

“The burgeoning digital economy in Asia is bringing about an unprecedented demand for data centres. Yet, cooling these centres, especially in our regional climate, comes at a high cost – both financially and environmentally,” stated Yoon Young Kim, Cluster president, Singapore and Brunei, Schneider Electric. “As a pioneer in sustainable solutions, Schneider Electric is proud to drive the development of next-generation technologies alongside NUS and NTU to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions and pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient digital future.”

“The Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed is a groundbreaking initiative that underscores our commitment to future-proofing the data centre industry in the region,” said Associate Professor Lee Poh Seng, Programme Director of the STDCT. “By working with experienced partners like Schneider Electric who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building sustainable solutions, we are confident that the STDCT will serve as a beacon of innovation, providing a platform for research and advancements that will not only benefit the region but the entire global data centre landscape.”

Schneider Electric will also be part of the executive committee to contribute industry expertise and insights.