Software-Defined Infrastructure Overview
Software-Defined Infrastructure (SDI) treats physical sites and infrastructure as programmable systems: depots, charging sites, yards, hubs, microgrids, and related facilities are controlled and optimized via software, data, and orchestration, rather than static one-time engineering drawings and fixed schedules.
This page positions SDI within the broader Software-Defined Systems (SDS) framework and explains how SDI relates to fleets, energy systems, site controllers, digital twins, and operations software.
What Makes Infrastructure “Software-Defined”
| Aspect | Conventional Infrastructure | Software-Defined Infrastructure |
|---|---|---|
| Site behavior | Fixed rules and manual procedures | Policies, schedules, and optimization controlled in software |
| Coordination with fleets | Informal coordination, fixed time windows | Real-time alignment between infrastructure and fleet needs |
| Energy and capacity | Static designs sized for worst case | Dynamic load management, demand response, and optimization |
| Monitoring and telemetry | Fragmented, vendor-specific dashboards | Unified telemetry and analytics across devices and vendors |
| Change and scaling | Physical rework and manual reconfiguration | Parameter and software changes, modular expansion |
SDI Within the SDS Framework
SDI is the site and facility expression of SDS, applying the same patterns as SDV, SDR, SDE, and SDIO to depots, yards, and hubs.
| SDS Building Block | SDI Expression | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors and IoT layer | Site-level sensing for power, environment, and operations | Meters, CTs, PTs, cameras, access control, yard sensors |
| Central compute | Site controller and edge servers | Depot control system, local EMS, yard management controllers |
| Networks and TSN | Industrial and IT networks for coordination | LAN segments for chargers, ESS, building systems, and OT devices |
| Data pipelines and telemetry | Streaming site metrics for analytics and planning | Charge events, queue times, dwell times, feeder loading |
| OTA and configuration updates | Remote configuration of site devices and controllers | Charger firmware, EMS policies, access rules |
| Continuous learning loop | Using operational data to refine site policies | Improved charge scheduling, yard flow, and energy dispatch |
| Digital twins | Depot, yard, and hub twins | Capacity planning, what-if analysis, congestion prediction |
| Cyber-physical security | Site access, device security, and safety | Secure gateways, segmentation, alarms, fail-safe behaviors |
What SDI Covers
Software-Defined Infrastructure spans multiple layers of physical and logical site assets.
| Layer | Scope | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and power | Connection to grid, onsite generation, and storage | Utility feeders, transformers, switchgear, PV, ESS, gensets |
| Charging and service | EVSE, fueling, and maintenance infrastructure | DC fast chargers, depot AC, lifts, wash bays, maintenance bays |
| Mobility and yard | Vehicle and equipment movement within and around the site | Lanes, gates, docks, staging areas, traffic controls |
| Buildings and support systems | Facilities that support operations | Lighting, HVAC, offices, control rooms, crew areas |
| Digital and control layer | Systems that orchestrate physical assets | Site controller, EMS, BMS, yard management, security systems |
Relationship Between SDI, SDV, and SDE
SDI sits at the intersection of vehicles (SDV) and energy (SDE). It must serve both reliably and efficiently.
| Relationship | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SDI–SDV | Align site capacity and flow with vehicle behavior | Charge scheduling aligned with route plans and arrival times |
| SDI–SDE | Coordinate site operations with energy availability and price | Using ESS and load shaping to avoid peak charges |
| SDI–SDR/SDIO | Integrate onsite robotics and industrial operations | Automated yard tractors, dock robots, and conveyors |
Key SDI Capabilities
| Capability | Description | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic load management | Adjust site electrical loads in real time | Prevents overloading feeders and transformers, reduces demand charges |
| Fleet-aware scheduling | Coordinate infrastructure usage with fleet plans | Ensures vehicles are charged, staged, and serviced when needed |
| Energy orchestration | Optimize use of grid, onsite generation, and storage | Improves cost, resilience, and emissions profiles |
| Operational visibility | Unified view of site state, queues, and constraints | Improves dispatching, reduces congestion, and avoids surprises |
| Policy-driven behavior | Express operational policies in software | Aligns infrastructure behavior with business rules and priorities |
SDI Lifecycle View
SDI emphasizes that depots and sites evolve over time as fleets, energy contracts, and operations change.
| Lifecycle Stage | SDI Activities | Operational Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and design | Model infrastructure needs, constraints, and options | Right-sizing feeders, chargers, ESS, and yard capacity |
| Build-out and commissioning | Integrate devices with site control systems | Reduces integration risk and rework |
| Steady-state operation | Monitor, optimize, and coordinate with fleets and grid | Improves uptime, cost, and service levels |
| Expansion and retrofit | Add capacity or reconfigure for new patterns | Supports fleet growth and operational changes |
| End-of-life and transition | Retire or repurpose infrastructure components | Protects investment and supports technology refresh |
SDI and Site / Fleet Operators
For operators, SDI is about turning sites into controllable assets that support fleet and business objectives.
| Operator Concern | Relevant SDI Property | Questions to Ask Vendors |
|---|---|---|
| Power capacity and reliability | Dynamic load management and power-system visibility | How do you prevent overloads and manage contingencies? |
| Queueing and yard congestion | Visibility into arrivals, departures, and staging areas | How do you measure and reduce queue times? |
| Energy cost | Tariff-aware scheduling and DER control | How do you use ESS and flexible loads to reduce demand charges? |
| Integration with fleet tools | APIs and data models for TMS, FMS, and route planners | How does the site share constraints and status with fleet systems? |
| Safety and security | Access control, alarms, and safe failover behavior | What happens to operations during network or grid events? |
Design Questions for SDI Platforms
When designing or evaluating SDI platforms, the following questions frame the architecture and roadmap.
| Question | Architectural Impact |
|---|---|
| What are the peak and typical load profiles at each site? | Drives feeder sizing, ESS capacity, and load-management strategy |
| How tightly should sites be coupled to fleet and energy systems? | Defines API requirements, control boundaries, and data latency |
| Which decisions must stay local vs centralized? | Impacts site controller design and cloud vs edge split |
| How will you introduce and validate new policies? | Requires staging, simulation, and rollback paths |
| How will SDI evolve with fleet electrification and autonomy? | Influences modularity, capacity reserves, and robotics integration |
Software-Defined Infrastructure is the physical backbone that lets fleets, robots, and energy systems operate as a coherent whole. It turns depots and sites from static cost centers into programmable assets that can be optimized, scaled, and adapted as operations and technology change.