The Conversation JEAN-PASCAL TRICOIRE, CHAIRMAN & CEO, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

THE GLOBAL ENERGY SECTOR IS WITNESSING A PARADIGM SHIFT FROM FOSSIL FUEL-BASED ENERGY WITH $755 BILLION INVESTMENTS IN GREEN ENERGY IN 2021, UP FROM $595 BILLION IN 2020 AND MORE THAN THRICE THE $264 BILLION IN 2011. JEAN-PASCAL TRICOIRE, CEO, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, BELIEVES THE TRANSITION WILL BE DRIVEN BY DIGITISATION AND AUTOMATION FOR HIGHER ENERGY EFFICIENCY. HE SAYS, IN INDIA MANUFACTURING AND DATA CENTRES HAVE DIGITISED IN A BIG WAY, BUT REAL ESTATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE HAVE A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO.

- ASHUTOSH KUMAR.

KEY TRENDS

Transition to green, environment-friendly energy production and consumption is a global phenomenon. What are the emerging trends and how are producers, suppliers, and consumers adapting?

Energy transition and de-carbonization are now being reinforced for energy security. De-carbonisation and energy security go together. We are focusing on two fundamentals. First is digitization for more efficiency everywhere, right from homes and industry to cities, buildings and infrastructure. Higher efficiency at lower levels of consumption will be based on digitization. Second is de-carbonization 1, supported by electrification. At the end of the day, de-carbonization entails eliminating combustion. The only way to do this is to ensure the production of cleaner electricity.

There has been a global shift towards sustainability, energy security, and efficiency via digitization and lowering of dependence on imported fossil fuels for power generation. So, sustainability, digitization, and electrification are the core strategies.

What is the scope of digital solutions for energy efficiency and sustainability? What are the sectoral trends in adoption of digitization for higher efficiency?

We see a future which is connected. Let me give you a few examples. One of our companies in India is developing a solution for rural agriculture that will use solar energy 2 to power pumps to irrigate fields. The aim is to make life of farmers easier. The entire system is connected to a simple 3G/4G network. One can trigger the pump remotely. If there is a problem, alarm sets off. Online tracking helps the farmer trouble-shoot. Information flows in real-time. Digitsation can ensure higher energy efficiency and better performance.