Schneider Electric Unveils World's First Software-Defined Medium Voltage Switchgear to Expand AI-Ready Data Center Power Portfolio
- World's first fully Software-Defined Medium Voltage architecture enables up to 3× faster ordering and manufacturing, up to 2× faster commissioning and zero-downtime upgrades
- RM AirSeT™ 38 Software Defined extends Schneider Electric's SF₆-free medium-voltage technology to 38 kV for high-density, scalable data center architectures
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, today unveiled new power solutions at YOTTA 2026 (September 28–30, Las Vegas) to accelerate AI-ready data center deployment and scaling. These solutions span medium-voltage distribution and high-density power infrastructure, allowing electrical systems to evolve at the same pace as the AI factories and digital services they support. At the center of the offering is the world's first fully Software-Defined Medium Voltage switchgear, now deployed in a live colocation data center with Equinix.
"The challenge facing data center operators today is not just keeping pace with AI growth, but building the resilient, efficient and scalable power infrastructure needed for an increasingly digital world," said Frédéric Godemel, Executive Vice President, Energy Management, Schneider Electric. "Schneider Electric's Software-Defined Medium Voltage architecture brings a new level of flexibility, standardization, and energy intelligence to electrical distribution, helping customers scale their operations more efficiently while preparing for future requirements. By combining software, connectivity, and sustainable innovation, we are enabling the next generation of resilient and efficient data centers."
Software-Defined Medium Voltage establishes a new category of power infrastructure
Building on its broader Software-Defined Energy vision, Schneider Electric is extending software-defined architecture to medium-voltage power infrastructure. The approach decouples system intelligence from physical hardware, creating a new model for designing, deploying and operating electrical infrastructure that can evolve at the same pace as the AI factories and digital services they support.
Based on the comparison documented in Schneider Electric White Paper 303, the approach enables up to 3× faster ordering and manufacturing, up to 2× faster commissioning and onsite acceptance testing, compared with conventional engineered-to-order medium-voltage switchgear. It also reduces system complexity: in the 20-panel comparison, the software-defined configuration used 87% less control wiring, 91% fewer terminals and 85% less copper in that wiring, while providing digital connectivity and analytics for greater operational visibility.
Key elements of the Software-Defined MV architecture include:
- Standardized, configurable infrastructure: Replaces highly customized, engineered-to-order systems with modular hardware that can be standardized and deployed more quickly.
- Software-enabled functionality: Shifts capabilities from hardware into software, allowing customers to add new features and performance improvements without physical modifications.
- Digital-first deployment: Standardized modules, automated testing, and intuitive interfaces help streamline ordering, manufacturing, commissioning, and onsite acceptance.
- Lifecycle flexibility: Over-the-air updates enable system upgrades without hardware replacement or operational downtime, while software-enabled capabilities support ongoing optimization and AI-powered predictive maintenance through EcoCare Services.
The Software-Defined MV approach has been deployed in live operation through a pilot with Equinix in a colocation data center environment.
Pilot programs continue through 2027, with broader availability to follow in 2028. To learn more, visit the Software-Defined MV switchgear page or read the Software-Defined MV white paper. To receive product and availability updates, register your interest.
RM AirSeT 38 Software Defined extends SF₆-free MV gas-insulated switchgear to 38 kV
Schneider Electric also announced RM AirSeT™ 38 Software Defined, part of its proven AirSeT™ platform of SF₆-free secondary medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). RM AirSeT 38 extends the platform from 24 kV to 38 kV and is designed specifically for next-generation AI data centers.
As AI, high-performance computing and large-scale digital infrastructure drive rising power densities, many operators are planning 36/38 kV MV architectures to support higher power capacity, simplified MV backbone design, and scalable campus deployment. RM AirSeT 38 meets that need, giving hyperscalers and colocation providers greater flexibility as they modernize their electrical distribution strategies.
RM AirSeT 38 is designed to support high-density, scalable deployments through:
- SF₆-free technology: Uses pressurized pure air insulation and vacuum interruption technology instead of SF₆ (sulfur hexafluoride, a potent greenhouse gas), fluorinated gases, or proprietary gas mixtures.
- Compact GIS design: Supports space-constrained, high-density installations while enabling standardized, repeatable MV architecture across data center deployments.
- Software-defined capabilities: A standardized digital architecture designed to simplify configuration, accelerate commissioning and support lifecycle evolution.
- Operational visibility: Digital monitoring and sensing options provide visibility into system performance, configurable to each customer's cybersecurity requirements.
Order intake is planned to begin in 2027, with first deliveries expected in 2028. To receive updates on RM AirSeT 38, register your interest.
Galaxy VXL brings high-density UPS power to AI-ready data centers
Schneider Electric also highlighted Galaxy VXL, its latest high-density, modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for next-generation AI-ready data centers and large-scale digital infrastructure. Built for the power demands of AI workloads, Galaxy VXL combines industry-leading power density, operational efficiency, and resiliency in an ultra-compact footprint.
As AI deployments drive higher rack densities and more dynamic load profiles, data center operators need power infrastructure that responds quickly to fluctuating demand while maximizing white space. Galaxy VXL helps customers maintain reliable, high-quality power delivery for scalable growth and continuity in AI and high-performance computing environments.
Key benefits include:
- Industry-leading power density: Delivers up to 1.25 MW in a single frame while using up to 70% less space than predecessor systems, helping customers maximize IT capacity and floor space.
- Optimized efficiency and sustainability: Galaxy VXL is designed to drive energy-efficient operations, lowering total cost of ownership, and support long-term sustainability initiatives – delivering a 31% reduction in lifecycle CO₂ emissions compared with its predecessor.
- Validated for AI workloads: Designed for the dynamic power profiles associated with AI clusters and high-density compute environments, helping ensure power quality, resilience, and availability.
- Scalable, service-friendly architecture: Schneider Electric's third-party verified Live Swap technology lets operators add, upgrade, or replace power modules without planned downtime, supporting future expansion while maintaining uptime.
- Digital-first operations: Integrated EcoStruxure™ monitoring and digital services provide visibility, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle optimization across critical power infrastructure.
Availability
Galaxy VXL is available globally and supports both Lithium-ion and VRLA battery technologies, providing customers with flexible energy storage options to meet their resiliency, performance, and sustainability requirements. For more information, visit the Galaxy VXL product page.
Schneider Electric at Yotta
Schneider Electric is a Yotta-level sponsor of the event, the highest sponsorship tier. Schneider Electric executives will speak on the following panels:
- Software-Defined Energy: The Next Era of Digital Infrastructure
- Sept. 29 at 10:10 a.m.: Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division, Schneider Electric, alongside Greg Metcalf, Senior Director, Global Design, Equinix
- Energy Transformation Keynote
- Sept. 29 at 10:30 a.m.: Jim Simonelli, SVP & CTO Data Center Segment, Schneider Electric
- Building the AI Power Plant: The Technologies Behind Bring Your Own Power
- Sept. 29 at 11:40 a.m.: Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division, Schneider Electric, alongside Devin Dilley, President & Chief Product Officer, EPC Power Corp. and David Bell, VP of Data Center and Microgrid Development, Volta Grid
- From Grid Constraints to AI Growth: The New Blueprint for Energy and Digital Infrastructure (Energy Transformation Lunch, limited seating)
- Sept. 29 at 12:30–2 p.m.: Moderated by Jim Simonelli, SVP & CTO Data Center Segment, Schneider Electric, with Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division, Schneider Electric; Mark McComiskey, CEO, AVAIO Digital; Kassy Hart, Aero Data Centers & H2 Commercialization Leader, GE Vernova; and Aaron Norris, Director, Procurement, Rowan Digital Infrastructure
Additional Schneider Electric executives onsite and available for interviews include:
- Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division
- Jim Simonelli, SVP & CTO Data Center Segment
At Booth #701, Schneider Electric will run a full IT pod demonstration on its Smart Spatial digital twin platform, spanning build, operate and maintain:
- Build: Software-Defined MV switchgear, Galaxy VXL UPS, NetShelter power racks and power shelves, Motivair chilled door, Motivair in-rack CDU and CDU50, iLine track busway and an 800 VDC sidecar.
- Operate: EcoStruxure Foresight, AVEVA Unified Operations Center and EcoStruxure IT DCIM software.
- Maintain: EcoCare for Data Centers and EcoConsult.
Related resource:
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a global energy technology leader, driving efficiency and sustainability by electrifying, automating, and digitalizing industries, businesses, and homes. Its technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and grids to operate as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing performance, resilience, and sustainability. The portfolio includes intelligent devices, software-defined architectures, AI-powered systems, digital services, and expert advisory. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric is consistently ranked among the world's most sustainable companies.
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SOURCE Schneider Electric
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