Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. In this exchange with T&D India, Anil Kadam discusses the company’s operations in the switchgear business, also explaining how power distribution equipment like switchgear is now being integrated with energy-management software. Digitisation of the power grid in the country will ensure improved optimization of resources and will ultimately reduce the cost of electricity in India, notes Kadam.
Please take us through the Schneider Electric LV and MV switchgear and circuit protection range.
Schneider Electric’s LV switchgear includes products such as Prisma G (LV switchboards up to 630A), Prisma P (LV Switchboards up to 4000A), Prisma IPM (Pre- fabricated low voltage distribution system), electrical distribution switchboards (enclosures for mixed power and control, cSomplaint with IEC 61439 1&2, Prisma PH (LV Switchboards for harsh environments) and Blokset (High dependability LV distribution an motor control switchboards. Besides this, we have a whole range of modular circuit breakers up to 63A.
In terms of MV switchgear, under secondary gas insulated switchgear, products include FBX (gas-insulated ring main unit up to 24kV), Ringmaster (MV compact switchboard up to 13.8kV), FLUSARC 36 (gas insulated switchgear up to 36kV) and DVCAS (switchgear for transformer substations in wind farms). We have the full range of MV switchgears (up to 33kV) including primary air insulated switchgears, primary gas insulated switchgear and shielded solid insulated switchgears.
In general terms, please discuss the advancement in technology in LV and MV circuit protection gear, at Schneider Electric.
We are at the forefront of technology advancement. From medium voltage switchgear and transformers to energy automation, we deliver specific solutions for utilities, oil and gas, mining, data centers, and critical buildings, covering all power distribution needs for energy management. Our portfolio includes Easergy T300 remote terminal unit for feeder automation, AIS/GIS medium-voltage switchgear (both primary and secondary), digital substation complete, future-ready digital substation solutions are simplified for easy interaction, PIX range of medium-voltage switchgear panels with EasyPact EXE & HVX Vacuum circuit breaker Microgrids EcoStruxure™ Grid- IoT-enabled open and interoperable platform
Although GIS switchgear takes less space than AIS, there are growing concerns about the use of SF6. Please tell us more.
Though SF6 gas is known to be a greenhouse gas with global warming potential, it is still used for high voltage and medium voltage switchgear because of its excellent quenching and insulation abilities and also to reduce overall losses in the system. Better designs, negligible leakage, environment friendly end of life recycling processes are now part of the structural changes done by us in our processes and products, resulting in a more environmental friendly product. We have an entire portfolio of compact and environmentally sustainable range of MV (up to 33kV) switchgears, both vacuum and SF6.
We feel that providing power distribution solutions is progressively becoming a complex exercise as several factors like energy optimization have to be considered. Please discuss how “smartness” can be incorporated in LV and MV power distribution.
We have a whole portfolio of smart integrated solution offering. This includes complete power distribution solutions (including LV and MV) integrated with energy monitoring software which provide the customer, all the tools and analysis to improve the efficiency of their system. This in turn results in efficient productivity and maximised profits. Our key pillars include asset management, network management and energy management with an exhaustive range of solutions under each pillar.
Discuss in brief how digitization can help bring energy efficiency in power distribution. How can digitization help lower energy bills?
We believe that the digitisation of the power grid in the country will ensure improved optimization of resources and will ultimately reduce the cost of electricity in India. This can lower our AT&C losses, both technical and commercial losses to an impressive extent. With more digitisation, we will be able to reduce more losses.
Modern day technological advancements such as the Internet of Things (IoT), analytics and cloud are indispensable parts of any kind of digital transformation and can provide a lucrative platform for digitising the grid. A connected smart grid on these lines will unfalteringly enable consistent and real time monitoring of energy distribution and transmission assets, among other things. The energy which is actually being produced but not consumed, are getting into the network and the average cost of energy is certain to come down. Today, one is paying for the inefficiencies also. Less inefficiencies will mean improved costs. Thus, it is evident that digitization will improve the distribution network in the power sector.
Schneider Electric’s open IoT-enabled framework EcoStruxure is designed to ensure higher efficiency in grid operations, optimal asset management and facilitate an overall shift towards digitisation of power distribution in the country to achieve the Centre’s goal of providing reliable 24×7 Power for All. The company is presently working with various state discoms to provide digital technologies for the grid.
The EcoStruxure™ Grid platform helps distribution system operators (DSOs), manage the complexity arising from digitalisation of utilities. It is an open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture and platform targeted at several verticals, including the grid market and DSOs.
