For this episode of the Techzine TV podcast, we discuss the evolution of data center architecture driven by AI workloads Steve Carlini, Chief Advocate for AI in Data Centers at Schneider Electric. From 5 kilowatts to 1 megawatt per rack, this conversation explores the technical challenges and innovations in this industry.
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Key topics include the shift from CPU to GPU-based computing, the move to 800V DC power distribution, liquid cooling requirements, and how data centers are becoming grid stabilization assets. We also dig a bit deeper into things like microfluidic cooling, photonics integration, and why power densities are skyrocketing with each new GPU generation from Nvidia.
Learn how Schneider Electric collaborates with chip manufacturers to design power and cooling systems six months ahead of new GPU releases, why the water consumption issues that data centers have are a temporary thing, and how SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) could transform data center energy infrastructure.
Topics
0:00 – Introduction
1:33 – Road to 1 megawatt per rack
5:19 – Leap-frogging to 800V DC architecture
7:23 – Liquid cooling requirements
9:43 – Future of data center design
12:15 – Water usage and cooling loops
14:03 – SMRs and grid stabilization
17:01 – Microfluidic cooling technology
18:08 – Flexible power allocation models
Podcast player
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Techzine Talks on Tour becomes Techzine TV Podcast
Starting 1 January 2026, Techzine Talks on Tour will be rebranded as the Techzine TV Podcast. As we add video to every podcast we record, we think it makes more sense to cluster everything around our newly-launched Techzine.tv platform. If you don’t like watching conversations but rather listen to them without video, that will remain possible. The Techzine TV Podcast will be available on Spotify, Apple and many other podcast platforms. Just search for Techzine Talks on Tour in your favorite podcast app.
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Previous episodes of Techzine Talks on Tour:
- Why your SOC needs a ROC
- Atlassian CTO on realistic AI: Rovo, data privacy and adoption
- Pax8 wants MSP’s to become MIP’s: what does that mean?
- Workday CTO outlines bold AI agent strategy and major acquisitions
- Navigating VMware’s transformation under Broadcom
- Connected from curb to gate at Harry Reid International Airport
Get in touch
We hope you like this podcast series. If so, please let us know. If you have suggestions on how we can improve, we would like to hear those too. We’re also open to suggestions around specific topics, or specific people that want to appear in an episode of Techzine Talks on Tour. You can find both Coen van Eenbergen and Sander Almekinders on LinkedIn, or you can send an email to info@techzine.eu.