Discover how Schneider Electric’s partnership with the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT) is revolutionizing data center sustainability in tropical climates. Learn how innovative solutions are reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions while setting global industry standards.
Schneider Electric, a prominent global player in advancing the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has declared an investment of SGD$1.2 million in a collaboration with the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT), which stands as Asia’s first data center testbed uniquely tailored to tropical climates.
Funded by the National Research Foundation of Singapore and hosted at the National University of Singapore (NUS), this facility enjoys the support of a consortium of industry partners. Research activities at the STDCT are jointly overseen by NUS and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
In tropical regions like Singapore, sustaining controlled environments within data centers usually necessitates significant power and energy consumption, leading to elevated operational costs and carbon emissions. The primary objective of this testbed is to lead the charge in developing eco-friendly and efficient cooling solutions specifically designed for data centers operating in tropical climates. The STDCT also seeks to establish operational guidelines and industry standards by harnessing the proven discoveries from its innovative technologies. These groundbreaking achievements could potentially find commercial applications and, in the process, enhance Singapore’s competitiveness in delivering sustainable and efficient data center solutions for global enterprises.
As part of this partnership, Schneider Electric will contribute its state-of-the-art solutions, including Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, fan walls, busways, and Smart Low-Voltage (LV) Panels. Furthermore, the STDCT will be seamlessly integrated with Schneider Electric’s building management system, EcoStruxure Building Operations, which represents a forward-looking and adaptable building management solution consisting of a cohesive ecosystem of intelligent devices, software, applications, and services. Among Schneider Electric’s flagship Edge Control offerings, EcoStruxure Building Operations incorporates an energy management interface that empowers the management team to observe, compare, evaluate, and enhance the testbed’s performance for heightened energy efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Schneider Electric will also be an active participant in the executive committee, offering its industry expertise and insights.
Yoon Young Kim, Cluster President for Singapore and Brunei at Schneider Electric, expressed, “The burgeoning digital economy in Asia is generating an unprecedented demand for data centers. However, the challenges of cooling these centers, particularly in our regional climate, carry substantial costs, both in terms of finance and the environment. As a trailblazer in sustainable solutions, Schneider Electric takes pride in joining forces with NUS and NTU to pioneer the development of next-generation technologies. Our goal is to curtail energy consumption and carbon emissions, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient digital future.”
Associate Professor Lee Poh Seng, Programme Director of the STDCT, added, “The Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed is a groundbreaking initiative that underscores our commitment to future-proofing the data center industry in the region. By collaborating with seasoned partners like Schneider Electric, who have consistently shown dedication to constructing sustainable solutions, we are confident that the STDCT will shine as a beacon of innovation. It will provide a platform for research and progress that will not only benefit the region but also impact the global data center landscape.”
The partnership between Schneider Electric and the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT) marks a significant stride in addressing the energy and environmental challenges posed by data centers in tropical climates. By pioneering innovative and sustainable solutions, this collaboration is not only poised to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions but also to set a precedent for the data center industry worldwide. As we move towards a more sustainable and efficient digital future, the pioneering work undertaken at the STDCT stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping a greener and more environmentally responsible technological landscape.