Schneider Electric released a research report focusing on an understanding of how digitised and smart applications will be powered in the future.
The report titled Digital Economy and Climate Impact predicts IT-sector-related electricity demand is expected to increase by nearly 50 percent by 2030. Yet, as the electricity system decarboniser, emissions would not increase by more than 26 percent by that time.
To help mitigate this rise in emissions, the Schneider Electric Sustainability Research Institute recommends continued efforts in achieving efficiencies on the IT and energy sides at both the component and system levels.
The report was released virtually from Schneider Electric’s Boston Hub, and highlights how the rise of edge computing requires a specific focus as these systems are expected to be less efficient than hyperscale data centres from a PUE standpoint, the company said.
“When the world locked down it also logged on and internet traffic soared. It’s misleading to assume that digital activity will inevitably result in a deeply problematic increase in CO2 emissions.
The analysis from the Schneider Electric Sustainability Institute puts to rest many of the worst-case scenario claims predicting IT-related electricity use will double every five years.
That said, as an industry, we must remain vigilant in finding new sources of sustainability gains while ensuring resiliency as digital keeps life moving forward,” said Pankaj Sharma, EVP, Secure Power, Schneider Electric.
Updates to its UPS
Schneider Electric also announced the updates regarding its EcoStruxure IT data centre infrastructure management software and Galaxy VL 3-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
The introductions are designed to advance the industry in meeting sustainability goals while increasing resiliency of IT and data centre infrastructure.
Increasing demands on digital consumption, which are explored in the new research report, create a more complex hybrid environment inclusive of enterprise, cloud and edge data centres.
To address the management challenges of a hybrid IT environment, Schneider Electric has announced updates to its EcoStruxure IT software to increase efficiency and resiliency, the company added.
New granular remote device configuration features enable users to change configurations on one or more devices – including the new Galaxy VL UPS unit – from one centralised platform with EcoStruxure IT Expert.
This update, combined with previously released software insights on device security health, enables the user to identify faulty devices or configurations and address them in a matter of clicks, keeping their hybrid IT environment secure.
Environmental monitoring systems ensure users have attention on data centre and IT deployments from anywhere, anytime.
With this update, users can push mass configurations remotely for NetBotz cameras 750 and 755 efficiently increasing security across the critical infrastructure.
Redesigned Galaxy Lithium-ion battery solution enables greater space savings, faster recharge and installation and enhanced safety, the company said.
Lithium-ion batteries reduce the total cost of ownership by doubling battery life, lowering installation and maintenance costs, plus reducing cooling needs, as they operate at higher temperatures than VRLA.
The included real-time battery management system improves battery system visibility, predictability, and manageability. The modular, touch-safe design simplifies maintenance and increases operator safety.
“Schneider Electric has been focused on sustainability for the past 15 years and was recently named the most sustainable corporation in the world. We have embraced the mindset that future innovation will deliver better efficiency across the broader connectivity landscape.
By making smart intentional choices, our industry can help mitigate how much electricity and emissions result from the rising appetite for digital technologies,” added Sharma.
