Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Written by: Nik Faiz Nik Ruzman, Journalist, AOPG.

At Schneider Electric’s Innovation Day, the future wasn’t just imagined; it was built, tested, and ready to transform industries.

Schneider Electric’s Innovation Day Kuala Lumpur 2024 was a showcase of innovative technologies that could reshape Malaysia’s industries through energy transition and digitalisation.

Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), the event was attended by industry leaders, regulators, and tech enthusiasts, with Disruptive Tech News (DTN) invited to capture the latest developments in energy efficiency and intelligent infrastructure.

Attendees were introduced to Schneider Electric’s latest offerings across various verticals, demonstrating the company’s commitment to shaping a greener future. The event exemplified Schneider Electric’s efforts in advancing digital transformation while driving sustainability, with a focus on solutions that align with the country’s environmental goals!

The Innovation Tour: Groundbreaking Technologies for a Sustainable Future

The event kicked off with a tour of Schneider Electric’s technology booths, showcasing real-world applications of intelligent systems designed to optimise energy efficiency, decarbonise industries, and modernise ageing infrastructure.

Water Treatment Plant of the Future

A glimpse into the future of water management: Schneider Electric demonstrates its digital twin technology for water treatment plants at Innovation Day 2024.

Starting off with JoJo Oon, Water & Wastewater Segment Lead at Schneider Electric, this segment of the tour emphasised the critical role the water sector plays in energy consumption.

“Around 4% of global electricity consumption and up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the water industry,” she said. She added that with global water demand increasing and supply decreasing, innovative solutions are essential to bridge this gap.

However, Schneider’s digital twin technology takes water treatment to the next level. By creating virtual replicas of water treatment plants, digital twins allow operators to monitor every stage of the water treatment process in real time, enhancing operational efficiency and preventing equipment failures before they occur.

Jason Chee, Solutions Architect at Schneider Electric, described the digital twin as a tool that “maximises productivity and improves operational efficiency through AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning.”

The ability to predict equipment failure and reduce downtime is a game-changer for industries where uninterrupted water supply is critical.

Building of the Future

Stephanie Wong, Solutions Architect at Schneider Electric, introduces the “Building of the Future” at Innovation Day 2024. The EcoStruxure platform displayed showcases advanced systems like the Building Advisor, Edge Control, and Guest Room Management.

Next up was a focus on Malaysia’s ageing buildings, many of which are in desperate need of modernisation.

Stephanie Chong, Hotel and Commercial Buildings Segment Lead at Schneider Electric pointed out during the presentation that 56% of office spaces in Malaysia are more than 15 years old, and these buildings urgently need retrofitting.

Schneider’s Building Management System (BMS), powered by AI, offers a solution by dynamically adjusting energy use based on real-time conditions. “Smart sensors regulate lighting and air conditioning based on occupancy and natural light, ensuring optimal energy use,” Stephanie explained.

This not only reduces energy waste but also enhances occupant comfort, a key factor in tenant retention for building owners.

Grid of the Future

Showcasing the “Grid of the Future” at Schneider Electric’s Innovation Day 2024, the EcoStruxure platform powers utilities with solutions like ADMS, ArcFM, Microgrids, and Transformer Expert.

With the rise of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, the traditional grid must evolve to handle new energy demands.

Moving along, the spotlights turned to Ts Nantha Govindan, Key Account Manager at Schneider Electric, where he introduced EcoStruxure ADMS (Advanced Distribution Management System), which transforms traditional power grids into smart grids.

“We’ve already deployed ADMS in 75 utilities worldwide, including Malaysia’s largest utility company,” Nantha shared.

Schneider’s smart grid solutions also incorporate microgrid technology, which integrates distributed energy resources like solar power and battery storage into the grid. The Transformer Expert tool, another innovation, monitors the health of transformers in real time, preventing costly failures.

Nantha also highlighted Schneider’s commitment to sustainability by showcasing its SF6-free products, which use pure air instead of the greenhouse gas SF6 which is commonly found in electrical equipment.

“SF6 is going to be phased out soon in regions like the EU, and we’re ahead of the curve with our pure-air technology,” he added.

Energies & Chemicals of the Future

Schneider Electric showcases its EcoStruxure platform for the industrial chemical sector at Innovation Day 2024, featuring advanced digital solutions for automation, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

The tour wrapped up with Lay Hock Ooi, Strategic Account Executive, O&G Segment at Schneider Electric, showcasing how Schneider Electric is transforming the energy and chemical sectors through electrification and digitalisation.

“Nearly every company in the energy and chemical industries is focusing on decarbonisation, electrification, and renewables,” Ooi remarked.

He highlighted Schneider’s EcoStruxure platform, which connects products, edge control, and analytics to optimise industrial processes. A key component is Foxboro DCS, Schneider’s process control system, which helps reduce operational inefficiencies while enhancing safety.

Ooi also noted the role of AVEVA, Schneider’s software subsidiary, which uses digital twins to map the entire lifecycle of industrial plants – from design engineering to implementation and operation.

The integration of renewable energy sources and the need for flexible, resilient industrial systems was another key focus.

“With ETAP’s energy management system, we’re ensuring that mixed energy sources like solar and biogas can be seamlessly integrated into the grid while meeting safety and compliance standards,” Ooi added.

The Future Invites: The Power of Digital Twins and Smart Technology in Industry 4.0

Schneider Electric’s Innovation Day 2024 was a reminder that Malaysia’s path to decarbonisation and sustainability is not only possible but already within reach. The technologies showcased, ranging from digital twins in water treatment plans to intelligent building systems and smart grids, represent the future of industrial operations.

Digital twins, in particular, are poised to play a transformative role in industries that rely on continuous, efficient operations. By creating virtual models of physical assets, companies can simulate real-time conditions, anticipate failures, and optimise performance based on near-life accurate findings.

This shift from reactive to proactive management has the potential to save industries millions in operational costs while significantly reducing downtime. In sectors like water treatment, energy, and building management, digital twins can enhance sustainability by ensuring resources are used effectively and equipment is maintained before failures occur.

As Warren Buffett once said…

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

The steps taken now – by adopting intelligent, sustainable solutions – will create a future where Malaysia thrives under the shade of its well-planted technological and environmental efforts.

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