Welcome to "Power Up!"

Glad you can join us! We're here to help power your knowledge with a curated selection of the latest thought leadership, sustainability news, upcoming events, and of course, life @ Schneider.

To kick us off, we're showcasing the first part of a blog post recently published by Gwenaelle Avice Huet , EVP of Europe Operations, on how improvements to asset efficiency can help reduce energy usage amid rising costs in Europe and beyond.

How to save energy – and possibly your business – by making your industrial assets work better and smarter

Gwenaelle Avice Huet , EVP, Europe Operations

Work hours slashed, staff laid off, operations shut down completely – these are just some of the possible business consequences when energy costs soar beyond operational feasibility. And today’s volatile energy environment is threatening the profitability and viability of many industrial enterprises in Europe and beyond.

But is this inevitable, or is there another way?

Last winter, Europe faced an unexpected crisis: the cost of energy skyrocketed. Many European nations only avoided severe blackouts thanks to a mild winter and a huge injection of cash – in fact, governments have spent more than €800bn to subsidize fuel costs.

Far from being over, the International Energy Agency warns that Europe risks the same threat this winter. Despite the EU stockpiling natural gas, the agency predicts the region could still face shortfalls of almost 30bn cubic meters – to put that in context, that’s about 7% of 2021 demand.

The fact remains that the future is unclear. Energy markets are still in a very vulnerable position and from an economic standpoint, unless Europe’s energy costs are reigned in, European businesses will struggle to stay competitive against the likes of the United States and China.   

Finish the rest of this article here.

Best practices for industries seeking to lower energy bills

High energy costs, fuel supply uncertainty, and rising inflation have led to various challenges such as cost increases, production curtailment, job losses, and constraints in the manufacturing sector.

McKinsey & Company estimates that a significant percentage of European manufacturers will struggle to reduce gas consumption while maintaining current output levels.

To address these issues, find out what steps industrial leaders should take in the latest article from Barbara Frei-Spreiter , EVP of Industrial Automation General Management.

Microgrids and batteries: A partnership for a more resilient and sustainable future

The importance of microgrids is growing as we address energy challenges caused by volatile markets, grid disruptions, and climate change.

On-site battery energy storage systems (BESS) play a crucial role in maximizing the impact of microgrids. They enable cost optimization, resilience, and decarbonization by storing energy from renewable sources, supporting critical loads during outages, and stabilizing the grid through fast frequency response.

Read the full article here.

Boosting innovation for sustainable solutions

To encourage innovation for sustainability, Industrial Automation employees proposed innovative concepts to reduce the environmental footprint for their current offers, and then created new offers that supported customers in reducing their environmental impact. The response to this challenge campaign was remarkable -- find out why here.

Empowering careers in Schneider Electric Services: Shape your future and make a difference

Schneider Electric Services is at the forefront of digitization, decarbonization, and electrification, and joining the team means being part of a global network of experts shaping the future of industries and buildings.

Ambroise de Boisriou , SVP Human Resources for Power Systems and Services, walks through the ways individuals can unleash their potential and contribute to a more sustainable future. Check out the full article here.

Energy efficiency: 10×10 action points to accelerate adoption

In the lead up to COP28, CEO Peter Herweck reflects on another 2023 milestone, the Versailles 10x10 -- 10 strategies to move us 10 times faster along the energy-efficiency path. Read Peter's latest blog post here.

Schneider Electric is always looking for great people to join us.  Find out more information about careers at Schneider.