Siemens - Experts & Thought Leaders

Siemens and GlobalFoundries (GF) have entered a new strategic collaboration to leverage each company’s complementary AI-based capabilities to enhance performance of semiconductor manufacturing and advanced industries – making operations more efficient, secure and reliable. In their latest memorandum of understanding, the companies focus on automation technologies for semiconductor fabrication (fab automation), electrification, digital solutions and software ranging from chip development to product lifecycle management. New strategic collaboration A key element of the new strategic collaboration is deployment of advanced AI-enabled software, sensors and real-time control systems in fab automation to meet the growing demand for reliable semiconductors and autonomous platforms. Through centralized automation and predictive maintenance, GF and Siemens aim to increase equipment availability and operational efficiency in chip production while building capabilities that can be extended to other advanced industries. The companies intend to develop and deploy new solutions within their own operations to deliver enhanced offerings. Demand for essential semiconductors This expanded collaboration comes at a time of unprecedented demand for essential semiconductors and autonomous platforms in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, defense, energy and connectivity. By teaming up and bringing new capabilities, Siemens and GF can support accelerated growth, better security and reliability and broaden their impact across the industry. Bringing AI into the physical world “Our economy runs on Silicon – one wafer at a time. Chips are critical for applications like robotics or connectivity and for bringing AI into the physical world and industry." "We are collaborating to make global semiconductor supply chains more resilient and to enable efficient localized manufacturing around the world,” said Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO Digital Industries. Range of next-generation applications “Secure, locally manufactured semiconductors are at the core of the AI transition – from cloud to the physical world, bringing intelligence into devices we use every day and enabling applications we couldn’t imagine a few years ago,” said Tim Breen, CEO of GlobalFoundries. “Our unique collaboration with Siemens allows us to go faster – to build the technologies that make this possible – differentiated, energy-efficient, connected and secure chips across a wide range of next-generation applications.” Siemens’ suite of solutions Siemens brings a comprehensive suite of industrial, energy & building automation and digitalization technologies, including advanced software for chip design & manufacturing, fab automation, and product lifecycle management. Utilizing Siemens’ suite of solutions, GF and Siemens will enable seamless collaboration across the entire semiconductor lifecycle and deliver high-performance and reliable semiconductor solutions at scale. Development and manufacturing of tailored solutions GF, together with MIPS, a GF company and global pioneer in RISC-V processor IP, brings unique process technology and design capabilities to accelerate the development and manufacturing of tailored solutions that support Siemens' goal of enabling autonomous platforms and physical AI chips at scale. GF is one of the world’s leading semiconductor foundries. The publicly listed U.S. company operates manufacturing facilities in the USA, Asia, and Europe. In Dresden, GlobalFoundries runs Europe’s largest semiconductor production site with around 3,000 employees.

        Siemens innovative electrification hardware and software will bring a new level of transparency to the low-voltage grid of Swiss power utility IBC Energie Wasser Chur (IBC). Around 40,000 residents in the greater Chur area will benefit from a secure, advanced supply of electricity.   The energy transition poses new challenges for grid operators, including distributed energy feeds, increasing loads, and high demands on voltage quality and supply reliability. A secure, data-driven solution that avoids extensive retrofitting is critical for reliable supply. This is where Siemens’ technology has a big impact. Easy installation into existing grid infrastructure Over the next two years, IBC will equip 200 transformer stations and 290 distribution cabinets with smart, bidirectional Sentron 3NA6 COM low-voltage high-performance (NH) fuses and Sicam Enhanced Grid sensors from Siemens. The Electrification X IoT suite is a central application that provides continuous access to grid data, analyses based on key performance indicators, and automated alarm messages.   This increases responsiveness and improves control. One of the biggest benefits of the solution is that it’s easy to integrate into existing infrastructure without costly installation. At the same time, it enables small to large energy suppliers to create data-driven transparency, optimize operational decisions, and make future expansion measures more efficient. Advancing Towards Climate neutrality “Availability and reliability are paramount for every grid operator. Data-driven transparency enables proactive operation and is essential for the resilient grid of the future. With our technology, we can increase usable grid capacity by up to 30 percent,” said Stephan May, CEO of Electrification and Automation at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “We look forward to supporting Chur on its path to climate neutrality by 2040.” maximum cybersecurity and supply reliability Encrypted data transmission is ensured through a certificate-based protocol that meets the highest cybersecurity requirements. Using the Distribution Grid Monitoring software, which is part of Electrification X, grid operators can detect load peaks early on, take targeted countermeasures, and plan investments efficiently.   Continuous monitoring and automated alarming increase supply reliability, reduce downtimes, and improve maintenance efficiency.  Economical and reliable “The energy transition is causing major bottlenecks in terms of capacity utilization and voltage quality. With Siemens’ technology, we can push ahead with digitalization at grid level 7 in an economical, safe, and reliable way, while keeping future supply power needs firmly in focus,” said Radoje Krstic, Protection Technology Specialist at IBC.  

Siemens and nVent are collaborating to develop a liquid cooling and power reference architecture, purpose-built for hyperscale AI workloads. As AI workloads grow more intensive and distributed, data center infrastructure strategies must balance performance, efficiency, and scalability through increasingly intelligent and adaptive systems. To support this next generation of digital infrastructure, Siemens and nVent are combining their expertise to help data centers prepare cooling and power infrastructure for global deployment and operational resilience. nVent liquid cooling technology The new joint architecture developed by Siemens and nVent has been created to help customers build 100 MW hyperscale AI data centers designed to house large-scale, liquid-cooled AI infrastructure like NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD with DGX GB200 systems. It presents a Tier III-capable architecture that integrates Siemens’ industrial-grade electrical and automation systems with NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD reference designs and nVent liquid cooling technology. Next-generation computing infrastructure “We have decades of expertise supporting customers’ next-generation computing infrastructure needs,” said Sara Zawoyski, president of nVent Systems Protection. “This collaboration with Siemens underscores that commitment. The joint reference architecture will help data center managers deploy our cutting-edge cooling infrastructure to support the AI buildout.” Broader ecosystem of partners “This reference architecture accelerates time-to-compute and maximizes tokens-per-watt, which is the measure of AI output per unit of energy,” said Ciaran Flanagan, Global Head of Data Center Solutions at Siemens. “It’s a blueprint for scale: modular, fault-tolerant, and energy-efficient. Together with nVent and our broader ecosystem of partners, we’re connecting the dots across the value chain to drive innovation, interoperability, and sustainability, helping operators build future-ready data centers that unlock AI’s full potential.” Industrial-grade electrical systems Data centers today face increasing rack-level power densities, more compute-intensive workloads, and growing demand for modularity to maintain uptime and scalability. Reference architectures play a critical role aiding data center operators in rapid deployment and interface standardization, while providing a framework upon which infrastructure providers can innovate. Siemens brings decades of expertise in industrial-grade electrical systems and intelligent infrastructure to the data center sector. Its comprehensive portfolio, from medium and low voltage power distribution to advanced automation and energy management software, enables reliable, efficient, and sustainable operation of mission-critical facilities. By combining IoT-enabled hardware, AI apps, cloud-driven software, and comprehensive digital services, Siemens empowers data center operators to accelerate transformation and scale confidently to meet the demanding infrastructure requirements of AI-driven workloads. cloud service providers nVent is a pioneer and innovator in liquid cooling with a strong track record of solving complex cooling challenges for global cloud service providers. nVent’s industry-pioneering team of experts leverages its broad portfolio to help data center managers achieve their goals. Through collaboration with leading chip manufacturers, OEMs, and hyperscalers, nVent delivers reliable, scalable liquid cooling solutions that are ready to meet the future of high-density computing.

The electrical industry is expected to have a labor shortage of about 60,000 workers by 2026. A labor shortage in the electrical trade is not inevitable, but it is likely to continue if the industry does not take steps to address the issue. Like other skilled trades, the electrical industry is facing challenges that could contribute to a labor shortage, including an aging workforce, a lack of interest among younger generations, and competition from other industries. However, there are strategies the industry can implement to address these challenges and attract a new generation of workers. These strategies include increasing awareness of the benefits and opportunities of skilled trades, investing in training and education programs, improving working conditions and compensation, embracing technology, promoting diversity and inclusivity, and collaborating among industry, education, and government. Improving working conditions Factors in the current labor shortage in the electrical industry include: Aging workforce: Many workers in the electrical industry are nearing retirement age, and there are not enough younger workers to replace them. This has led to a shortage of skilled workers with many years of experience in the industry. Lack of interest in the trades: There has been a decline in the number of young people pursuing careers in the skilled trades, including electrical work. This is due in part to a focus on four-year college degrees as the preferred career path, as well as a lack of awareness of the benefits and opportunities of skilled trades. Competition from other industries: The electrical industry is competing with other industries, such as construction and manufacturing, for skilled workers. Training and education: Training and education are critical for developing the skills and knowledge necessary for electrical work. However, there is a shortage of qualified trainers and educators. Increasing demand: The demand for electrical services is increasing, particularly in areas such as renewable energy and smart grid technology. Attracting and retaining workers To attract and retain workers, the electrical industry must offer competitive wages and benefits One strategy to address the labor shortage is to increase awareness of skilled trades and to promote the benefits of a career in the electrical industry through outreach programs in schools, career fairs, and other events. Providing access to quality training and education programs that develop the skills and knowledge necessary for electrical work is crucial for attracting and retaining workers. This can be done through apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, and community colleges. To attract and retain workers, the electrical industry must offer competitive wages and benefits, as well as a safe and supportive work environment. This includes offering training and development opportunities, flexible schedules, and opportunities for advancement. Inclusive work environment The electrical industry is changing rapidly, and workers must be equipped with the latest technology and tools to stay competitive. Providing workers with training and access to the latest technology can help attract and retain workers. The electrical industry should actively promote diversity and inclusivity to attract a wider pool of workers. This includes efforts to recruit workers from underrepresented groups and create a welcoming and inclusive work environment. The electrical industry is changing rapidly, and workers must be equipped with the latest technology Companies in the electrical industry are addressing the labor shortage problem by investing in workforce development programs and initiatives. For example, Schneider Electric has developed a comprehensive workforce development program called the Schneider Electric Energy and Automation Training (SEAT) program. The SEAT program provides training and certification for employees, customers, and partners in areas such as energy management, automation, and digital transformation. Developing training programs Siemens has developed several initiatives to address the labor shortage in the electrical industry. These initiatives include apprenticeship programs, vocational training programs, and partnerships with educational institutions to develop training programs. Graybar, a distributor of electrical products and solutions, has developed a workforce development program called Graybar University to provide training and education for employees, customers, and partners in areas such as lighting, automation, and safety. Joint apprenticeship training program Collaboration among industry, education, and government is crucial for developing solutions The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) have developed a joint apprenticeship training program that provides training and education for individuals looking to enter the electrical industry. The program provides on-the-job training and education in areas such as electrical theory, safety, and installation. Collaboration among industry, education, and government is crucial for developing solutions to the labor shortage in the electrical industry. This includes partnerships between industry and education institutions to provide training and education programs, as well as government initiatives to support workforce development in the skilled trades.