Nvidia and Schneider Electric Test Digital Twin
The partners deployed a virtual model to optimize AI power and cooling at a data center in Portugal.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Data Centers
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Nvidia and Schneider Electric have successfully tested a digital twin at the SIN01 data center in Portugal. The project utilizes virtual modeling to evaluate how facility infrastructure handles high-density AI workloads.
Why it matters
Digital twins provide operators with the ability to simulate power and cooling capacity for AI hardware. This allows facilities to avoid redesigns and potential deployment delays when upgrading to denser equipment.
The system utilizes the Nvidia Omniverse DSX Blueprint framework to integrate facility engineering data with power and cooling simulations. This setup enables operators to visualize and assess infrastructure changes before applying them physically.
The players
Nvidia
A multinational technology company known for designing graphics processing units and hardware for artificial intelligence applications.
Schneider Electric
A global company specializing in energy management and industrial automation solutions for data centers and infrastructure.
AVEVA
A multinational software company that provides industrial software for digital transformation and engineering.
ETAP
A software company focused on electrical power system modeling and simulation solutions for critical infrastructure.
Start Campus
A developer and operator of sustainable data center campuses, including the SINES site in Portugal.
The details
The project involves collaboration with AVEVA, ETAP, Nscale, and Start Campus to combine operational data with advanced simulations. By creating a virtual replica of the SIN01 data center, teams can stress-test infrastructure requirements for AI hardware.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: The digital twin test at the SINES campus was detailed in industry reports.
The Tech Race
The deployment of the Nvidia Omniverse DSX Blueprint framework reflects a broader shift toward virtualized site management in the data center industry. This technology replaces manual, estimation-heavy facility planning with high-fidelity simulations to manage the power demands of modern AI.
The use of digital twins allows data centers to deploy AI capabilities more efficiently, potentially reducing service downtime and infrastructure upgrade costs. This improves the reliability of the underlying systems that support the digital services consumers rely on daily.
The takeaway
Digital twin technology enables data centers to forecast infrastructure needs with higher precision than traditional planning methods. Operators implementing these virtual models can better support rapid advancements in AI hardware while maintaining critical uptime.
Further reading
For more information on infrastructure management, visit the Data Centers section.
Live Poll
Do you believe digital simulation tools will successfully lower infrastructure costs for companies?
