Siemens and Rittal Partner on AI Data Center Infrastructure
The strategic collaboration aims to standardize power distribution as AI applications drive rack densities toward 1 megawatt.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Mar 17, 2026
Siemens and Rittal have entered a strategic partnership to develop a standardized infrastructure for data centers, aiming to address the massive power demands of artificial intelligence.
The collaboration focuses on creating future-proof power distribution solutions for the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) market. The initiative seeks to accelerate construction timelines and minimize "time-to-compute" as the industry grapples with rapidly increasing power densities.
In modern AI-driven facilities, power densities exceeding 100 kW per rack have become standard. Industry projections suggest these densities could exceed 1 MW by 2030, necessitating a shift in how power, cooling, and heat recovery are managed within the white space.
A primary development in the partnership is a next-generation "sidecar" power rack. This dedicated unit is designed to sit directly alongside server cabinets, providing a scalable and standardized power supply. By bundling power electronics in a dedicated rack, the companies aim to maximize "tokens-per-watt" and ensure high availability for high-performance computing units.
"To enable the rapid growth of AI, we need smart, reliable, and scalable power supply solutions for data centers and we need them quickly," said Andreas Matthé, CEO of electrical products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure.
The joint effort utilizes Siemens’ electrical products alongside Rittal’s RiLineX and Ri4Power platforms. The companies are also working on standardized low-voltage distribution systems for modular and containerized data centers, focusing on both operational and personal safety.
Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Loh, owner and CEO of the Friedhelm Loh Group, said the technology leaders have a responsibility to strengthen customer competitiveness through innovation.
The first customer projects are currently underway, and the companies indicated that the collaboration may extend to other industrial applications in the future.