Categoria: Energia

Author: Schneider Electric

This audio was created using Microsoft Azure Speech Services

When it comes to our customer’s distributed hybrid IT infrastructure and what they prioritize, we know monitoring and visibility are critical, and cybersecurity could not be more crucial.

How do we know?

We have been listening to our customer’s concerns. In the past 18 months, we have focused on the trends of DCIM 3.0 (Data Center Infrastructure Management) and worked hard to respond with solutions and features to make infrastructure more resilient, secure, and sustainable.

We are helping customers meet the challenges of sprawling IT whether on-prem, in colocation facilities, or on the edge. And we are continuing that success with the Secure Network Management Card System (SNS) for EcoStruxure IT, which was tailor made for tackling the dual priorities of visibility and cybersecurity for your entire IT infrastructure.

Key enabler for visibility

When we talk about remote monitoring, we’re really talking about visibility. And that is critical because without it, you risk unexpected issues and downtime.

Our Network Management Card (NMC) is a key enabler for visibility, and it is embedded in most of our UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and PDU (Power Distribution) devices. When it comes to embedded software that connects power and cooling devices to the network, the security is essential. The NMC provides a sophisticated management application and an array of protocols for remote connectivity. Connect with your Building Management System, EcoStruxure IT tools, and more.

By installing the NMC everywhere, it enables monitoring and management and visibility into your infrastructure from wherever you are, anytime, with preventative management and security.

A growing cybersecurity attack surface

A recent survey by Allianz revealed that even more than an energy crisis or natural catastrophes, what organizations fear the most are cyber incidents. Who can blame them? In 2023, the average cost of a cyber breach was $4.45 million, and the cost of cybercrime reached $8 trillion in 2023. This number is expected to rise to $10.5 trillion by 2025.

While cybersecurity fears aren’t new, what is new is a rise in attacks on neglected firmware. Yes, the cyberattack surface has widened to include firmware at a time when security experts say too many organizations are struggling to stay current with their firmware. Organizations don’t always know or understand when new updates are available or when to apply patches, and, as a result, they fall behind and become vulnerable to cyberattack.

IEC certification by TUVRheinland

That is where our NMC offer is unique because it has been independently certified by the world’s largest testing services company TUVRheinland. We believe in transparency. Our IEC 62443-4-2 certification is posted on our web site and is easily downloadable. I often hear vendors talk about their cybersecurity certification, but I never actually see their certification.

IEC certification means Schneider Electric employs secure development practices with secure coding, security design reviews, and vulnerability management. We conduct rigorous testing with vulnerability scanning. IEC certification is not a one-time process. We must continue to go through a re-certification process as new updates are released, which requires a significant investment of time, effort, and R&D spend that we are willing to make.

Reap the benefits of the Secure NMC System

We know and understand the needs of our customers. Our management options are focused on making operations easier for them and the Secure NMC System does exactly that by minimizing exposure to attack, reducing complexity and effort, and assisting with compliance so it becomes a consistent process.

If you already have IT Expert or Data Center Expert, your Secure NMC subscription is included along with the advanced vendor neutral management capabilities these tools provide. Independent cybersecurity compliance and proactive firmware management is so fundamentally important to us that starting in April 2024, a one-year Secure NMC subscription will be included with all new UPS and PDU devices from Schneider Electric.

We are at the start of a very exciting journey as we will continue to invest in building out our Secure NMC System capabilities throughout 2024. Stay tuned!

Tags: DC Professional, DCIM, IT Professional, network management cards, Secure NMC

Author: Schneider Electric

This audio was created using Microsoft Azure Speech Services

In the industrial sector, the key to success lies in the efficiency of your equipment. To get the most out of business and operations, you need every device in your industrial process to be operating at its full potential.  

VSDs (Variable Speed Drives) or VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) are critical elements of any industrial process. As an industrial automation professional, you face consistent pressure to maintain the resilience of these components and keep them up to date, avoiding the risk of damage or breakdown.

How can you achieve this whilst sticking to budget constraints and ensuring uninterrupted uptime?

Introducing EcoFit Life Extension for Drives, a unique offering that as of today, is only accessible through Schneider Electric.

Choose a simpler, cost-effective approach to drive modernization

Modernization involves enhancing current industrial automation solutions by incorporating the latest technology to improve safety, reliability, and longevity. EcoFit is Schneider Electric’s approach to modernizing assets that keep businesses running, in this case optimizing existing equipment to minimize energy waste caused by outdated machinery.

EcoFit offers multiple modernization options, from extending the life of the current asset to total equipment replacement, enabling customers to choose the right option for their unique needs.

With EcoFit Life Extension for Drives, Schneider Electric helps offer a visual environmental and functional inspection to evaluate the condition of your drive and drive environment. Following the inspection is a comprehensive maintenance service, including replacement of any spare and worn parts.

Allocate time to prepare for a more extensive replacement plan

Drives that have undergone the EcoFit for Life Extension procedure typically experience an extension of at least 5 years to their lifespan. So, not only do you benefit from 5 further years without significant modernization investment, but you also get assurance that your drives are in optimal working order.

Choosing to replace functional equipment requires significant capital investment and careful planning, making it a challenging decision even when acknowledging the need for modernization. However, with EcoFit Life Extension for Drives, you get the flexibility to schedule modernization at the time that suits your business, enabling a smoother transition and less disruption, whilst only utilizing your Opex budget.

Improve uptime and reduce operating costs

Ecofit Life Extension revitalizes your drives, restoring their original performance, particularly advantageous in cases where drives have not been consistently maintained. This revitalization allows you to optimize your original capital investment, with improved operational reliability and increased peace of mind against sudden damage or breakdown.

Over time, wear and tear are inevitable, but with an up-to-date make up, your drives are less likely to be damaged or breakdown, resulting in a substantial reduction in operating costs that could otherwise be allocated to repairs and urgent maintenance procedures.

Unlock the full potential of your drives with digital connectivity

In some instances, drives can also be integrated with active Schneider Electric sensors, compatible with digital solutions for further benefits, including condition-based maintenance.

Here, users can access all product documentation and drive conditions remotely, 24/7, with configurable alarms that alert to any deviance in optimum conditions. Equipped with visibility and real-time data, users can benefit from a condition-based maintenance approach, transforming the way they work with live equipment.

Conclusion

Optimize your industrial process today through EcoFit Life Extension for Drives, an affordable on-site maintenance and replacement package.

For alternative electrical components or modernization options, explore our EcoFit page.

About the author

Victor Gasulla | Global Offer Manager | Industrial Automation Specialist

Victor Gasulla is the Global Offer Manager in the Industrial Automation Services division of Schneider Electric. He has a comprehensive 24-year background in Motion, Drives, Automation, and Control within different commercial and technical roles. Victor is reshaping the landscape of industrial automation. Based in Spain, he excels in deploying unconventional strategies, leveraging digital tools, and offering a global perspective.

Victor’s expertise lies in navigating the complexities of industrial automation with a strategic mindset. As a leader in driving global growth, he crafts resilient and sustainable solutions that not only address current challenges but also pave the way for future industry advancements.

Learn more about Victor Gasulla: victorgasulla.com | www.linkedin.com/in/victorgasulla

Tags: digitization, Drives, EcoFit, industrial process, Industrial process automation, modernization, Sustainability

Author: Rinnovabili.it

La tecnologia messa a punto da EtaVolt, spinoff della Nanyang Technological University, promette di proteggere i moduli fotovoltaici vecchi e nuove dal naturale degrado

Credits: NTU  Un antiaging per i moduli fotovoltaici Arriva da Singapore un nuovo dispositivo per la rigenerazione fotovoltaica. Parliamo del macchinario per “ringiovanire” i vecchi pannelli solari creato da EtaVolt, uno spin-off della Nanyang Technological University. Il sistema offre una soluzione economica e rapida per proteggere i moduli fotovoltaici, sia nuovi che vecchi, dal naturale degrado delle prestazioni. “Il nostro metodo di ringiovanimento fotovoltaico non solo è stato rigorosamente testato e convalidato, ma ha mostrato risultati comprovati sul campo in varie applicazioni commerciali”, spiega il dottor Stanley Wang, co-fondatore di EtaVolt e Project Manager presso l’Energy Research Institute @ NTU, dove è stata sviluppata la tecnologia. “La soluzione è stata implementata con successo in progetti con importanti partner nel settore solare, come la società di soluzioni di energia rinnovabile Vector Green, dimostrandone l’efficacia e il potenziale per un’adozione diffusa”. Degrado dei pannelli solari, le cause Non importa quanto siano elevati gli standard di qualità e le prestazioni, tutti i moduli fotovoltaici una volta messi in funzione sono destinati a degradarsi gradualmente. Nel 2015 il NREL, celebre laboratorio americano, stimava un tasso medio di degrado dell’efficienza circa lo 0,5%-0,8% l’anno (ma con percentuali più elevate in climi caldi e umidi). In…

Author: Schneider Electric

This audio was created using Microsoft Azure Speech Services

Every time I attend an IT industry event, it seems like everyone wants to chat about Green IT and sustainability. They’re eager, sometimes even excited, to get their company on the right path immediately. But they have no idea how to start.

It reminds me of when people make New Year’s resolutions. They’re eager, sometimes even excited, to get going. But taking that initial leap can be daunting and it might spell disaster even for those with the best intentions.

So, I asked my brilliant friend, ChatGPT, why we crash and burn when it comes to resolutions. For example, I was supposed to be proficient in Ashtanga yoga by now, but my 2023 New Year’s resolution met an untimely death in March when I overdid it. My back spasmed and left me rolling around the floor unable to stand. Who knew yoga could be so dangerous?

ChatGPT burped up some answers, saying that people struggle with resolutions for various reasons and listed five common factors. They include unrealistic goals, lack of specific planning, poor accountability, no adaptability and a lack of intrinsic motivation. While these factors aren’t surprising, I believe they’re also reasons why companies may falter when they embark on sustainability efforts. Maybe by understanding why we fail at resolutions; we can not only avoid the pitfalls but turn those pitfalls into ways to succeed.

So, here’s a roadmap of sorts for getting and staying on a sustainability journey.

Focus On Accountability

The CIO organization is responsible for the IT footprint and projects and goals associated with it. Green IT takes a data-driven approach to baselining and measuring an enterprise’s IT footprint and taking effective actions to reduce it. The IT footprint of an organization covers cloud management, colocations, on-site environments and end-user devices. I’ve followed the progress of a CIO who has prioritized sustainability and made bold decisions to be successful. The CIO assigned a team that was focused on problem-solving and approached sustainability as a complex puzzle it needed to solve. The CIO assigned a specific person to lead the team, empowering that leader to create a plan of what could be accomplished. The leader had clear accountability from the CIO—they were tasked with waking up every day and thinking about the challenges and what is needed for success.

Possess Intrinsic Motivation

This part is crucial. The person in charge of this effort must be passionate about it. They may want to boost energy efficiency and eliminate waste. Perhaps they want to conserve resources, solve a complex problem or save money. The truth is their intrinsic motivation belongs to them. But it’s their passion that will propel them to work hard and drive them to succeed.

Set Realistic Goals

If I hadn’t tried to do a year’s worth of yoga exercises in two months, I may not have hurt my back and given up my resolution. I had unrealistic goals. Picking realistic and ambitious sustainability goals is a well-known key to success—not an easy combo but it is do-able. A common challenge with Green IT and starting to manage an organization’s IT footprint is where to start if a company doesn’t know how many and what kind of assets it has on its network. If your company doesn’t have a current baseline for its IT footprint, that’s a goal it can set and attain.

The team the CIO established—with clear accountability and an intrinsically motivated leader—decided to set a 5% reduction as a goal. The thought process behind it was, if we reduce by 5% each year, we will be better off than if we try to reduce massively in a short amount of time and fail, or worse, disrupt business processes in operation for the sake of emissions reductions. It’s also helpful to align your goals with your company’s overarching sustainability targets, as well as reputable third parties. For example, the International Telecommunication of the UN encourages the ICT (Information Communication Technology) sector to reduce emissions at least 4.2% annually to be aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Achieving realistic goals builds positive momentum and lays the foundation for long-term success.

Embrace Specific Planning

A key element in sustainability planning for the CIO’s team was breaking the challenges of Green IT into pieces to be solved. The team tackled its sustainability mission with specific planning. It focused on four main pillars and created a plan for each pillar: IT End User Devices, IT Infrastructure Assets, Business Collaboration and Green IT Adoption. Team members understood each pillar had an environmental impact with its own specific differences, all of which needed to be understood and managed.

Adapt And Then Adapt Some More

When plotting a sustainability path, the team learned unanticipated challenges would arise and the ability to pivot was critical to success. For example, the team had set a reasonable goal: identify the carbon footprint of network switches the company had using an automated scanning tool. Throughout the year, the scanning technology improved and, it turned out, there were more switches than had been originally inventoried. Of course, this meant a shift in the baseline and the need to explain the change. The team pivoted to meet an unexpected challenge.

Here’s To Success

Based on what I witnessed with the CIO’s approach, efforts should be led by a specific person or team that is not only accountable but intrinsically motivated. There should be realistic goals, specific plans and an ability to adapt and be flexible, which I would be if I’d stuck with realistic goals for my yoga resolution and not overdone it!

By turning around potential pitfalls and learning from them, a team can set itself up for sustainability success and it may far exceed its initial objective. The CIO team I referenced had set a 5% reduction goal but ended up experiencing a 30% reduction in energy consumption and a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions. Here’s to success for your resolutions and Green IT plans.

This article was previously published in Forbes.

Tags: CIO, data center, DC Professional, DCIM, Green IT, IT Professional, Kevin Brown, Sustainability

Author: Schneider Electric

This audio was created using Microsoft Azure Speech Services

Today, industrial companies face unprecedented challenges. Manpower Group recently reported that 75% of companies in the industrial sector are currently experiencing a talent shortage. Supply chain problems, an increasingly competitive market landscape, rapidly changing customer demand, and the need to increase quality, productivity, and overall efficiency drive the need for new levels of data availability, analysis, and management. Then, there is also the harsh reality that industry represents a significant portion of global CO2 emissions, which creates an increased urgency when dealing with environmental issues.

Automation systems are critical to the performance and agility of today’s industrial companies.

They are the heart of operational technology and contain the data required to generate the insights necessary to balance process sustainability, efficiency, and profitability. However, most are currently closed and manufacturer-dependent, so when a customer chooses a hardware platform, it essentially locks them into a programming environment, making it very difficult and costly to use automation programs across different platforms. This, in turn, also makes it harder to implement the right types of intelligence across all architectures.

To be able to succeed in today’s ever-changing business environment, optimization is key, and improved data collection and management at the source – i.e., at the machine, line, and plant floor – is vital in ensuring this can be achieved to the highest level. This is where the power of new edge computing applications comes into play.

One agnostic, scalable, secure edge application ecosystem

At Schneider Electric, we believe that automation systems should support rather than constrain business growth objectives. Our customers should be free to choose the best available technology for their operation, allowing them to deploy the right mix of edge computing technologies based on their unique process needs.

We fully support a flexible, interoperable, hardware and software-agnostic edge architecture that enables wide-scale usage of data with edge computing and AI.

These principles are shaping our long-term industrial automation strategy, and that is why we’ve joined forces with our peers and the Linux Foundation to create the Margo initiative, which will help deliver this long-awaited edge interoperability.

Margo: the new open standard initiative for interoperability at the edge of industrial automation

The Margo initiative is leading the creation of new open standard for interoperability at the edge of industrial automation. Drawing the name from the Latin word for ‘edge’, Margo defines the mechanisms for interoperability between edge applications, edge devices, and edge orchestration software. The open standard promises to bring much-needed flexibility, simplicity, and scalability – breaking through barriers to innovation in complex, multi-vendor environments and accelerating digital transformation for organizations of all sizes.

Hosted by the Joint Development Foundation, a part of the Linux Foundation family, the initiative is already supported by some of the largest automation solution providers globally, including founding members ABB, B&R, Capgemini, Microsoft, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, AVEVA, and Siemens. The Margo group invites like-minded industry peers to collaborate and contribute to building a meaningful and effective interoperability standard that will help customers achieve their digital transformation goals with greater speed and efficiency.

Doing this aims to ensure that applications, devices, and orchestration software all work together, enabling industrial edge ecosystem providers to assist organizations in accelerating the building, operation, and scaling of complex automation solutions, all whilst using systems from different suppliers that seamlessly inter-operate with each other. 

The Margo initiative is committed to delivering this in a modern and agile way, facilitated by a practical reference implementation and secured by a comprehensive compliance testing toolkit.

It will drive growth and value by removing some of the current barriers to success so industrial companies can accelerate innovation, improve time to market, and optimize operational efficiencies of complex automation systems from multiple providers.

Businesses can build, operate, and scale the powerful edge applications and data management solutions they need to support their digital transformation initiatives with reduced cost, complexity, and overheads. By allowing systems from different providers to interoperate, this open standard will drive ecosystem success, while making it easier to achieve operational growth, time to market, and return on investment.

To summarize, the benefits the Margo standard aims to offer are:

• Openness and Flexibility – users can choose the right solution to match business needs.

• Simplification – reduce time to market, simplify continuous improvement & maintenance.

• Innovation and Growth – agile systems to match the speed of today’s businesses.

Proudly supporting the move toward an open future for Industry

At Schneider Electric we’re hard at work charting the course to next-generation software-defined automation, making the journey from proprietary closed systems to truly open, flexible automation systems that make the customers’ needs the priority.

These principles are shaping our long-term industrial automation strategies, and our full commitment as one of the six founding members of the Margo initiative is a crucial step in delivering the long-awaited edge interoperability.

We believe the result will completely change the game in automation, allowing us all to move confidently past blocks that have become typical of today’s traditional, hardware-based, proprietary systems. Margo is one of the keys to allow us to open the door to future success by harnessing the power of the innovative, open, and collaborative digital systems and solutions that will surely define the Industries of the Future.

Want to find out more about Margo and the power of edge applications?

Find out more about the Margo initiative at margo.org

Discover Schneider Electric’s industrial-edge software

Read about software-defined automation in the IDC Perspective paper

Tags: Digital transformation, Edge Computing, edge computing applications, edge devices, Industrial Automation, interoperability, open standards, software-defined automation, Sustainability