Schneider Electric Economizers

Ambivalence towards energy waste permeates every facet of UK life, new research conducted by Schneider Electric has found. The firm has calculated that at least 117 million tons of UK emissions were created in 2018 by wasted energy: energy that was lost in the generation and transmission process or wasted due to inefficiencies in UK buildings. The figure does not take into account emissions from energy lost in the food supply chain, industry or transport sectors. The research findings, published in a new report: Rethink Energy, examined the behaviors, priorities and investments in relation to sustainability of 400 large businesses, 120 SMEs and 2000 consumers in the UK. The research commissioned by Schneider Electric found that even though business decision makers and consumers are aware energy is being wasted in their day to day lives they are taking no steps to change consumption or behavior. Average Business Decision Makers With the average energy bill for a large business running at over £11,000/month Schneider Electric’s research found that on average business decision makers estimate that 36% of the energy their business consumes is wasted, primarily through inefficiencies in buildings (e.g. lights left on, heating and air con systems failing to adapt to changes in the weather, poor insulation etc). With the average energy bill for a large business running at over £11,000/month (£136,944/year) energy waste is not just a significant cost for the planet but for businesses, too. Despite 100% of respondents believing their business wastes energy, almost half (44%) said that they hadn’t or didn’t know if they had implemented any energy saving initiatives in the previous 12 months. A fifth of all businesses admitted they don’t currently measure energy waste within their business. Energy Saving Initiatives The difference between the approach of big business versus small businesses is stark. 58% of SMEs hadn’t or didn’t know if they had implemented energy saving initiatives versus 39% of large businesses. Almost three times (40%) of SMEs reported they don’t currently measure energy loss within their business, compared to just 14% of large businesses. 30% reduction in energy use equates to a 10% reduction in operating costs A significant barrier for businesses to adopt energy saving measures appears to be the perceived cost of doing so. 84% of businesses said they were torn between the anticipated cost of tackling waste and doing the right thing. However, Schneider research has shown that the average project aimed at tackling waste energy pays for itself in 3 years, and a 30% reduction in energy use equates to a 10% reduction in operating costs. Guidance On Energy Consumption Whilst 85% of businesses polled claim to have policies or guidelines in place to encourage energy efficiency and reduction of waste, 64% of employees said their employer did not provide any guidance on energy consumption or were not sure if their employer had policies in place to tackle energy waste. 58% of consumers blamed others for energy waste in the home It isn’t just businesses that are failing to tackle the issue of waste energy. The Schneider research has revealed that approximately 6.4 million adult UK consumers (12%) have no intention of curbing their energy use and 76% believe they already do enough when it comes to saving energy, recycling and curbing waste and have no plans to do more. In addition, 58% of consumers blamed others for energy waste in the home, with 25% claiming their partner or spouse was the worst culprit for leaving lights, devices or appliances switched on at home. Fighting Against Climate Change “This research is a wakeup call. Energy waste cannot be overlooked in our fight against climate change, just because it’s invisible,” said Mike Hughes, Zone President UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric. “We may not be able to see the impact energy waste is having on our planet as graphically as that of plastic waste in oceans or on beaches, but it is clear that reducing waste energy has a significant role to play in reducing our emissions.” “Furthermore, it is an easy win. It doesn’t require the same level of investment, time or rely on future innovation that is needed to decarbonize our economy. Most importantly, the effects of reducing emissions from wasted energy could be felt immediately, buying us much needed time to tackle some of the harder measures that society will inevitably have to face.”

Schneider Electric, the pioneer in energy management and automation, presented its vision for ‘Apps & Analytics Driving Predictive Maintenance’ at Hornbill’s Plant Asset Life Management (PALM) seminar 2019 at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 8th October. The new Easergy P3 and P5 protective relays from Schneider, which feature enhanced capabilities for predictive maintenance and arc flash prevention, as well as the T300 remote terminal unit (RTU), were also on show. The PALM event brought together renowned engineers, asset owners and industry experts for the opportunity to share their expertise and discuss the most significant technologies in the energy sector. Modern Digital Communication Capabilities Paul Brown, product manager of switchgear control at Schneider Electric, said: “Predictive maintenance cuts downtime and improves employee safety. Now, businesses are starting to recognize the potential additional value predictive maintenance can drive in a plant environment. With the rise of the smart factory, electrical infrastructures in these facilities need to keep up with the pace of innovation. Upgrading to smart, connected electrical infrastructure gives plant managers full visibility over equipment lifecycles, so they can make strategic, data-driven choices which optimise performance.” During the event, the latest developments to Schneider Electric, including the P3 and P5 protection relays were on show. The P3, with the latest protection and modern digital communication capabilities, is a major step forward in operational efficiency for medium voltage equipment protection and control devices. Providing Protection And Control Of Critical Assets The Easergy P5 unites most sought-after features for medium voltage network protection together in one IoT-ready device. The series has been engineered to provide protection and control of critical assets with an unparalleled digital experience. The Easergy P3 is part of the Easergy product family, a modern range of solutions from Schneider Electric, which also includes the innovative, award-winning Easergy T300 feeder automation RTU. The Easergy P5 is part of EcoStruxure, Schneider Electric’s open, interoperable system architecture and platform, providing Connected Products, Edge Control, and Apps, Analytics and Services. Every byte of data from the connected switchgear to the EcoStruxure Asset Advisor is secured with end-to-end cybersecurity, reducing cyber risk and improving operational security.

Schneider Electric, the pioneer in digital transformation of energy management and automation, is offering the chance to win an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) secure asset connection starter pack. The pack acts as an ideal solution for machine builders and end users seeking integrated asset-to-cloud connectivity, as well as cybersecure end-to-end remote access to program and monitor other control equipment. Businesses are under increasing pressure to understand and utilize IIoT in their supply chain, factory floors and infrastructure. Connecting to, and harnessing relevant industrial asset data gives rise to better support, improved productivity, efficiency and reduced downtime. Newcomers can be daunted by the technology and be unsure of where to start. Robust Industrial Edge Device To enable businesses to take their first step towards Industrial digitization, Schneider Electric have developed the IIoT Secure Asset Connection Starter Pack, which offers the following components and benefits: Magelis IIoT Edge Box - is a robust industrial edge device that connects to and collects data from field devices. It provides a wide array of connectivity options both downstream to OT equipment and upstream to IT cloud based analytic tools. It requires no maintenance and is designed to run in harsh environments. The Magelis can also sit alongside existing automation control system, minimizing plant disruption. The software improves asset performance and minimizes downtime and maintenance time with easy remote access Smarter Business Decisions EcoStruxure Secure Connect Advisor - Saving time and travel costs, the EcoStruxure Secure Connect Advisor connects programming and configuration software (e.g. PLC, HMI, VSD) via a cybersecure connection to diagnose and troubleshoot equipment. Ultimately, the software improves asset performance and minimizes downtime and maintenance time with easy remote access. Aveva Insight - Insight is a secure, managed solution for collecting, storing, visualizing, and analyzing industrial data for faster, smarter business decisions, providing complete visibility into how your business is performing. Users throughout the organization have access to customized information, via web or mobile connections, in easy-to-digest reporting tools including charts, dashboards, newsfeeds and alerts – leading to faster, smarter business decision making. Entrants can enter the competition either by completing the on-line form, or by visiting Hall 5, Stand C120 at PPMA to visit Schneider Electric’s display. The winner will be drawn at random and will be notified by phone or email.