From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Energy and automation company Schneider Electric launched its first Innovation Hub in Africa at its new head office in Midrand, Gauteng. The Innovation Hub now forms part of Schneider Electric’s global network of over 40 registered Innovation Hubs and brings to life the company’s vision of sustainability and digitalisation for customers, partners and stakeholders across the continent. Sabrina Jardim tells us more.

Sabrina Jardim:

The newly launched Innovation Hub provides an interactive environment where visitors can explore the company’s integrated solutions across key segments and businesses such as energy, buildings, data centres, industry and power and grid.

At a launch event in June, Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa cluster president Canninah Dladla highlighted the company's commitment to Africa's energy future and the need for solutions, describing the Innovation Hub as a space for creativity and collaboration to address energy challenges in Africa.

Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa cluster president Canninah Dladla…

Schneider Electric Middle East and Africa zone president Walid Sheta…

Sabrina Jardim:

The Innovation Hub offers a guided, customised experience whereby customers and visitors are guided through various tailored spaces.

This includes the software portfolio, highlighting AVEVA Operations Control, eTAP and various EcoStruxure software solutions; industrial automation solutions, featuring live conveyor systems and EcoStruxure plant and machine tables with control units, sensors and industrial intelligence; and building solutions, showcasing various control offers for the building sector, from access, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and room control.

The Innovation Hub also showcases power and grid solutions, highlighting low and medium voltage equipment, the company’s acclaimed sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)-free AirSet switchgear series, protection relays and microgrid solutions; and secure power displays, with a live server room view demonstrating Schneider Electric’s data centre and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) solutions.

Schneider Electric Middle East and Africa zone president Walid Sheta…

Sabrina Jardim:

The Innovation Hub is hosted within Schneider Electric’s new headquarters, which has a 20% smaller footprint than the company’s previous premises.

The building also features important sustainability gains such as 37% lower energy consumption a month; 34% less water usage a month and 32 t of CO₂ emissions reduced monthly.

Further boosting its environmental performance, the headquarters features a 200 kW rooftop solar installation, contributing to 15 t of CO₂ reduction monthly.

Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa cluster president Canninah Dladla…

Sabrina Jardim:

A full microgrid solution with battery energy storage system (BESS) is planned, which again demonstrates the company’s commitment to establishing an environment built on renewable and sustainable energy practices.

The building also integrates Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Buildings Operation and Power Monitoring software, housed within the Innovation Hub and which allows for intelligent control of lighting and HVAC – within the Innovation Hub – and surrounding customer-facing areas.

The company said in a media release that the launch of the Innovation Hub in Africa builds on Schneider Electric’s global strategy to bring its technology closer to its customers on the African continent, while reinforcing its leadership in sustainability, innovation and digitisation.

Schneider Electric Middle East and Africa zone president Walid Sheta…

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.