Schneider Electric has entered into a strategic partnership with Kraken, an AI-based energy platform company, to expand grid flexibility and accelerate grid connectivity. Amidst a surge in power demand driven by the spread of AI and the growth of data centers, this collaboration focuses on rapidly accommodating demand by increasing the utilization of the existing power grid, rather than relying solely on grid expansion.

Schneider Electric announced on the 18th that it has disclosed details of its collaboration with Kraken and stated that it provides real-time visibility into the status of the power grid based on the One Digital Grid Platform and EcoStruxure DERMS (Distributed Energy Resource Management System).

The company explained that this enables Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and power companies to identify grid constraints and forecast demand.

Kraken is an AI-based energy operation platform developed by the British energy company Octopus Energy that integrates and manages distributed energy resources such as electric vehicles (EVs), home batteries, and solar power generation facilities.

In Korea as well, the need to build a 'Korean-style Kraken' is being discussed, centered around the government and the energy industry.

Power demand from data centers reached approximately 415 TWh in 2024 and is projected to more than double by 2030.

On the other hand, as power grid expansion takes years, delays in connecting new industrial facilities and data centers to the grid have emerged as a global issue.

The two companies anticipate that the combination of technologies will alleviate power grid congestion and increase the utilization of existing infrastructure, thereby enabling rapid grid connection for data centers and large-scale industrial facilities.

Kraken CEO Amir Orad stated, “AI is not simply a technology that increases power demand, but a key tool for expanding the available capacity of the existing power grid,” adding, “Together with Schneider Electric, we will contribute to building a resilient, economical, and sustainable energy system.”

Schneider Electric Energy Management Frederic Godemel, Vice President of the Business Unit, stated, “Power companies and grid operators face the burden of responding to rapidly changing power demand amidst aging infrastructure,” adding, “We will support customers in efficiently utilizing existing assets and securing hidden grid capacity.”