Sustainability Magazine October 2024 | Page 68

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

“Being sustainable is a combination of being more electrical and more digital . This is what we also call Electricity 4.0 ”

OLIVIER BLUM EVP ENERGY MANAGEMENT , SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
ago , and its advisory division , the Sustainability Business , a leading global consultancy on energy management and decarbonisation .
Olivier says : “ We have developed very specific competencies in consulting on decarbonisation and the energy transition . And our contribution through our research institute is to provide technical white papers on different decarbonisation and sustainable scenarios .
“ We are trying to take the big challenges and make their solutions more actionable , more practical . What does it take to decarbonise data centres , for instance ?
He adds : “ We have a big consulting and research institute project to bring a white paper to show to the people at COP29 that the technology is available today .”
When it comes to AI , he says : “ We know with the evolution of AI , those data centres ’ appetite for energy will get bigger and bigger . What will be the technologies that will make it happen without emissions also getting bigger and bigger ?”
He continues to explain that artificial intelligence can be an accelerator for the energy transition . It can help reduce carbon emissions with efficient use of energy and optimizing energy demand . AI models can create predictive energy consumption models , enhancing the efficiency of processes like HVAC systems and district heating . By managing energy storage and shifting consumption times , AI could reduce reliance on fossil fuels .
It is in the DNA of Schneider Electric to come up with solutions , not problems . And Olivier is certain that digital is a big part of the solution .
He says : “ I think digital is a huge accelerator of decarbonisation . At Schneider , we always say : ‘ Being sustainable is a combination of being more electrical and more digital . This is what we also call Electricity 4.0 ’.
“ That story has been true for many years . But the fact that digital has accelerated and AI is helping us to make it simpler for our clients to receive recommendations , I do believe it ’ s a game changer .”
Looking forward to the coming 18 months , Olivier is “ optimistic ”.
68 October 2024