Electricity + Control May 2019

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

The EcoStruxure platform is structured across different levels of functionality: from connected products, to edge control, to apps, analytics and services.

EcoStruxure works with a community of partners, system developers and allied service providers to deliver optimum solutions.

For each domain, Schneider supplies the sys- tem architecture and design guides. EcoStruxure solutions are purpose built, customised to specific requirements and, where necessary, integrated into existing IT and OT infrastructure using open protocols. The domains will overlap to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the application. In industry, for example, the platform will in- corporate the security/access control, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning aspects of building management, as well as power distribu- tion architecture for energy efficiency and energy management, and specifically industrial automa- tion hardware and software – connecting sensors from machines, plant and other assets into a cen- tral control system. Expertise Having been in business for more than 175 years, Schneider has built up exceptional expertise in di- verse sectors of industry. While historically it fo- cused primarily on the steel industry, its expertise now extends across mining, food and beverage, water and wastewater, packaging and machine building, as well as utilities, data centres, buildings and hotels and the retail industry. This is one of the key advantages it offers cus- tomers and that internally supports the develop- ment of tailored solutions for customers in differ- ent industry sectors. For example, the company quite recently com- pleted a modernisation and digitalisation project implementing EcoStruxure Plant at RCL Foods Pongola Sugar Mill in KwaZulu-Natal. Working with aging plant the mill was vulnerable to frequent breakdowns and multiple inefficiencies resulting from that. The EcoStruxure implementation has enabled the mill to improve efficiencies and relia- bility significantly and it has seen a 20% increase

control, to apps, analytics and services. Connect- ed products is about transforming the physical to the digital. Edge control is about connecting the sensors and machines on the shop floor to a cen- tral control function, on the premises rather than in the cloud, to deliver real-time and readily acces- sible information. The apps, analytics and services offer added value to develop specific solutions that respond to the particular requirements of individ- ual customers and optimise the safe and efficient use of energy. McCutcheon highlighted that security is a ubiq- uitous concern across industry and for all custom- ers – as it is for Schneider. He emphasised that all Schneider’s software systems are hardened in- house ensuring multiple levels of protection and end-to-end cybersecurity. All domain architectures within the EcoStruxure platform are checked and certified internally before they are introduced to customers’ sites. Schneider’s services team also provides cus- tomer training on new systems and technologies when they are implemented and deals with change management. McCutcheon emphasised that this is an important element of any change in business operations. In terms of new technologies it is a way of introducing people to the new opportunities and possibilities that new-tech solutions present and encouraging them to adapt to new ways of doing things. Without change management there is a high risk of new systems being ignored altogether or vastly underused – and this obviously diminishes the intended efficiencies and benefits. Regarding project design and implementation each project is different. “When we approach a new project on a greenfield site, design and implemen- tation are relatively easy. However, we are more often dealing with existing infrastructure and assets and that tends to be more complicated,” he said.

Schneider Electric Exchange, launched recently at Hannover Messe 2019, is a new online platform that will enable more partners to contribute to the EcoStruxure community, collaborate on new solutions and scale these to suit different applications.

Electricity + Control

MAY 2019

27