With this in mind, the company has made it its business model and mission to provide its customers and partners with an economically and socially sustainable path to a consistently_{carbon-neutral} future. With the help of the IoT-enabled hardware and software solutions on show in Hanover, combined with unique service and consulting offerings, industrial companies not only benefit from more efficient and sustainable production. Systems can also be operated much more flexibly, resiliently and profitably. The trade fair highlights on show at the stand include the highly flexible multi-carrier transport solution, a new _SF6-free medium-voltage switchgear, smart approaches for energy-efficient motor management and holistic networking as well as a proof-of-concept for manufacturer-independent and software-centric automation implemented together with machine manufacturer GEA.

Accelerating digitalization means accelerating sustainability

IoT-based digitalization plays a key role in the implementation of economically and socially acceptable climate protection measures. It makes it possible for companies to operate more efficiently, flexibly, reliably and therefore more sustainably. It is also an important factor in driving forward the urgently needed substitution of fossil fuels. With its holistic solution portfolio, its multi-local corporate structures and a close-knit network of locally available system integrators, Schneider Electric is therefore pursuing an approach that enables companies of all sizes to implement a digitalization project on time and on budget.

To further accelerate and simplify the IT-OT networking of industrial plants, Schneider Electric is now relying on a manufacturer-independent and software-centric automation paradigm. In contrast to the current PLC-based automation approach, which is characterized by proprietary systems, this offers significantly more engineering freedom, simplifies and accelerates engineering and creates native IT-OT connectivity right from the start. In addition, the cross-vendor interoperability of control systems is ensured and once software applications have been created, they can be ported and reused without being tied to a specific manufacturer. In a proof-of-concept realized together with the German machine manufacturer GEA, Schneider Electric has already impressively demonstrated the market maturity of the approach based on the IEC61499 standard.

Software solutions for SMEs and large-scale industry

All facets of Schneider Electric's standardized software portfolio will also be on display at this year's Hannover Messe. Applications from close partners Aveva and OSIsoft as well as Schneider's own EcoStruxure and ProLeiT solutions now form a complete range of customized software solutions for SMEs and large-scale industry. In addition to the EcoStruxure Software Advisors - IIoT applications for specific tasks such as clean-in-place or traceability - Aveva's system platform is particularly suitable for the company-wide consolidation of heterogeneous databases. This creates the necessary basis for using other intelligent and AI-based software tools.

Effective "quick wins" for the climate can often be achieved with simple means. For example, with smart motor management. With the new and revised solutions from Schneider Electric, it is possible to operate motors more reliably and efficiently (up to 50 percent less energy consumption) on the basis of end-to-end networking.

The new GM AirSeT medium-voltage switchgear also sets an example for greater sustainability and climate protection. For insulation purposes, the model is completely free of the potentially climate-damaging greenhouse gas sulphur hexaflouride (_SF6) and is equipped with state-of-the-art digital features.

Barbara Frei, Vice President Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, says: "The industry is changing," comments Barbara Frei, Executive Vice President Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric. "At Schneider Electric, this encourages us to continue to use all our innovative power to shape a more efficient, sustainable and open standards-driven industry. Our aim is to enable companies to operate competitively in the long term and in line with climate policy objectives, despite changes in demand, supply chains, technologies and legislation. Digital IoT solutions are the key to success. All of our technologies, combined with Aveva insights, are designed to make plant operations more efficient and resilient and help our customers achieve their climate protection and sustainability goals quickly."