Schneider Electric held a panel discussion on the need to protect critical infrastructure and sites, at an exclusive event at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium. The site, where Schneider Electric’s technology is crucial for smart energy management and energy efficiency, played host to over 130 Schneider Electric customers.
With a keen focus on the journey and benefits of using data to make maintenance decisions – from routine to predictive and preventative, the panel discussed how to minimise disruption at airports, hospitals, and other locations of critical infrastructure.
During the discussion Edward Payne, Chief Engineer, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust noted, “some of our switchgear dates back to the 1960s, and anywhere up to 2020s. We’ve got lots of equipment from multiple suppliers, different specifications and spare part requirements. This isn’t the most efficient way to manage our activities so we’re looking at how to digitalise our estate to get a clearer picture of where to invest maintenance efforts. This will allow us to proactively manage assets, improve spare parts planning and ensure a smoother running of the site’s electrical operation. For us, keeping the system resilient is key, as ultimately, it’s patients at the end.”
David Pownall, Schneider Electric’s VP Power Systems UK & Ireland, added, “At Schneider Electric, we are working to see a more electric and more digital future. These technologies will be crucial if we’re to reach our decarbonisation goals. However, developing tech solutions and upgrading existing systems, only works if we properly maintain the assets.
“The traditional model of annual maintenance can prove costly and time consuming. However, drastically shifting our approach to maintenance to be more proactive and predictive can change the game. We’re in control and develop fixes to problems before they develop to avoid costly downtime. We can reach a point where the switchgear tells us it needs maintenance. As such, we manage the asset effectively, allowing it to run efficiently and simple repairs, or changes to environment can be implemented to prevent costly upgrades, or disruption due to equipment failure.”
Attendees had the chance to see a variety of Schneider Electric solutions in action, including
- Ringmaster AirSeT, a pioneering, a that’F6-free medium voltage switchgear that delivers sustainable, safe, and reliable power distribution without harmful greenhouse gases.
- GenieEVO, a modular medium switchgear specifically designed for use in demanding situations.
- FeederSeT CB Outdoor LV Switchgear, a robust, low-voltage switchgear designed for safe, reliable and efficient power distribution in outdoor environments.
In addition to these products, a selection of BESS Solutions, automation and switchgear components were on display.
For more information on Schneider Electric’s work at Tottenham Hotspur and critical infrastructure support, find it here.
