Schneider Electric Unveils African Innovation Hub
Energy and automation leader Schneider Electric opened its first African Innovation Hub. The new hub is at their Midrand, Gauteng, headquarters. This facility joins Schneider Electric's global network of over 40 hubs. It showcases the company's vision for sustainability and digitalization. The hub serves customers, partners, and stakeholders.
An Interactive Experience Awaits
The new Innovation Hub offers an interactive environment. Visitors can explore integrated solutions. Key segments include energy, buildings, and data centers. Industry and power and grid solutions are also featured.
Commitment to Africa's Energy Future
Canninah Dladla, Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa cluster president, spoke at the June launch. She emphasized the company's dedication to Africa's energy future. Dladla highlighted the need for new solutions. The Innovation Hub is a space for creativity. It fosters collaboration for Africa's energy challenges.
Tailored Solution Showcases
The Innovation Hub provides a customized visitor experience. Guided tours take customers through tailored spaces. A software portfolio highlights AVEVA Operations Control and eTAP. Various EcoStruxure software solutions are also on display.
Industrial automation solutions feature live conveyor systems. EcoStruxure plant and machine tables show control units. Sensors and industrial intelligence are also demonstrated. Building solutions showcase various control offers. These include access, lighting, HVAC, and room control.
Power and grid solutions are also highlighted. Low and medium voltage equipment is featured. The acclaimed SF₆-free AirSet switchgear series is shown. Protection relays and microgrid solutions are included. Secure power displays offer a live server room view. This demonstrates data center and UPS solutions.
Sustainable New Headquarters
The Innovation Hub is inside Schneider Electric's new headquarters. This new building has a 20% smaller footprint. It also achieves significant sustainability gains. Monthly energy consumption is 37% lower. Water usage is down 34% each month. The building also reduces 32 tons of CO₂ emissions monthly.
Its environmental performance improves further with a 200 kW rooftop solar installation. This contributes to a 15-ton monthly CO₂ reduction.
Future-Forward Energy Practices
A full microgrid solution is planned. This includes a battery energy storage system (BESS). This project demonstrates the company's commitment. They aim to build an environment based on renewables. Sustainable energy practices are key.
The building integrates EcoStruxure Buildings Operation. It also uses Power Monitoring software. This software is housed within the Innovation Hub. It allows intelligent control of lighting and HVAC. This applies to the Innovation Hub and customer-facing areas.
Global Strategy for Africa
The Innovation Hub launch builds on Schneider Electric's global strategy. It brings technology closer to African customers. This move reinforces their leadership in sustainability. Innovation and digitization are also key focus areas.