Siemens and Rittal join forces.
In data centers serving artificial intelligence (AI) applications, rack-level power density exceeding 100 kW (kilowatts) is already considered average, and by 2030, this figure could exceed 1 megawatt. This requires new solutions in the areas of power distribution, cooling, and heat recovery.
To enable more efficient power distribution in data centers, Siemens and Rittal—a global supplier of rack enclosures and a subsidiary of the Friedhelm Loh Group—have therefore announced a strategic partnership. The goal of the collaboration is to introduce a unified infrastructure. This can accelerate the construction of high-performance data centers, reduce systems’ time-to-compute, and manage the rapidly growing power density generated by AI applications.
As part of the partnership, the first solution presented is one that, instead of traditional, centralized power distribution, is located in the so-called “white space” area of the data center—the space that houses servers and storage devices. Specifically, the components are integrated into a dedicated power cabinet (“sidecar”) that directly supplies power to the server racks.
This concept provides a simple, standardized, and scalable power supply for equipment, reducing energy loss and simplifying future expansions. Based on open industry standards and the proven technologies of Rittal and Siemens, this modular solution can be installed quickly while ensuring high availability and reliable operation.
As part of this collaboration, the companies plan to develop a standardized low-voltage power distribution system as well as solutions that enhance operational and personal safety; in the future, they may even expand into additional industries and application areas.