Doing more with less

“What makes us stand apart is our ability to deliver exceptional value to customers through our technology, people and processes,” remarks Thanik B, Director – Strategy and Business Development (Eco Buildings), Schneider Electric India Controlling increasing energy costs without compromising business performance is always a challenge. In a conversation with ACE Update, Thanik B shares how Schneider Electric helps in striking the critical balance between active energy efficiency and smart facilities for customers.
Why is using ‘integrated energy management solution’ critical for the sustainability of a building?Putting in place a robust integrated energy management and information system is the first step in any energy management program. It helps sets a baseline for KPIs at different levels within the organization and helps track them effectively which is the key for sustainable buildings. Such a system also provides a ready-to-use framework for the implementation of global energy management standards like ISO 50001 and facilitates the pursuit of green building labels such as like LEED and GRIHA. It also highlights the importance of putting a sub-metering infrastructure for load segregation as the starting point for best practices in energy management and effective interventions.
Is the awareness about energy efficiency gaining traction among the end-users in India?Yes, definitely. The demand for energy efficiency is accelerating rapidly. These include regulatory pressures, shareholder and public demands for socially sustainable business practices, and increasing demand for energy and rising energy prices. Green directives like net-zero energy regulations in Europe, CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme in the UK, and GRIHA rating system in India are driving major change.
New buildings standards and certifications like ISO 50001 and the shift of LEED and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) to include certifications for operational performance of existing buildings are also having a significant impact on the built environment.
What makes your solutions the ‘essential’ solutions for energy efficient buildings?Our response to today’s energy challenge is EcoStruxure, an active energy management architecture from Power Plant to Plug. EcoStruxure is not a product but an approach that creates intelligent energy management systems. EcoStruxure system architecture allows one to see, measure, and manage energy use across data centres, industrial plants, buildings, and energy and infrastructure with guaranteed compatibility among critical energy domains. As EcoStruxure integrated system architecture is scalable and can be applied to both retrofits and new construction, one can achieve up to 30 per cent savings on capital and operational expenses across entire enterprise.
What are the trends and opportunities in energy-efficiency segment? And how is Schneider Electric, as a supplier to this industry, tapping into these opportunities?Some of the trends are software as a service (SAAS), building analytics and digitisation, and shift towards digitisation and Web services.We are one of the first players to understand these trends and started offering our building analytics services. Our building analytics allows clients to do more than identify facility issues. Client can now pinpoint which systems and equipment have irregularities, with prioritisation based on energy cost, severity and comfort impact. One will have the assurance to completely understand why building issues are happening and how to remedy these situations. The cloud-based automated diagnostics use artificial intelligence to not only identify problem conditions, but also guide resolution through suggested actions. Periodic engineering reviews of building diagnostics ensure that building analytics continuously drives action and tracks performance over time. This actionable information allows one to better organise internal and contract resources for quicker, more efficient repairs and commissioning services. Having said that, building analytics from Schneider Electric is about building confidence. It gives the clients the ability to optimise their operations by making fact-based improvements that are proven to lower energy costs, extend equipment life, and improve tenant comfort, making a positive and measurable impact on their bottom line.
How is Schneider Electric playing its role in promoting and developing energy-efficient buildings in India?The convergence of energy and IT technology gives us a huge opportunity to create value for our clients through our systems, services and software technologies. Our ‘EcoStruxure’ architecture enables this with ease while creating huge opportunity for energy management capabilities.

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