EU ERP Directive Drives SiC Modular UPS Upgrade Wave

The European Union’s ERP Phase 3 energy efficiency requirements have entered into force, tightening maximum standby power consumption for UPS systems above 10 kVA to 0.5 W. The regulation has accelerated the phase-out of older low-efficiency line-interactive and legacy UPS models across the 27-member market.

In response, European power protection manufacturer Riello has launched the Multi Power2 M2X, a silicon carbide modular UPS platform designed for data centers, edge infrastructure, and industrial applications. The company joins Schneider Electric, Legrand, and Eaton in rolling out new SiC-based UPS systems to meet EU compliance rules.

Traditional IGBT-based UPS systems typically achieve conversion efficiencies between 93% and 95%, while silicon carbide models can reach 97.5% in double-conversion mode and up to 99% in high-efficiency mode. This reduces annual energy consumption by approximately 25% for typical commercial and industrial installations.

The new Riello M2X series supports power modules from 15 kW to 120 kW per cabinet, with N+1 redundancy and parallel scalability up to 720 kW. It features hot-swappable power modules and battery units, allowing maintenance without full system shutdown. The compact footprint and front-access design are intended for European data centers where space availability and continuous operation are critical.

Industry data shows that silicon carbide UPS shipments in Europe increased by 31% in the first half of 2026. The global SiC UPS market share is expected to rise from 27% in 2025 to more than 55% by 2030. In parallel, updated UL 1778 and IEC 62040 standards have introduced stricter thermal runaway testing for lithium-ion UPS systems and improved cross-vendor parallel communication requirements.