To achieve a net-zero carbon world, we need to revolutionise the way we manage energy and design our buildings, industries, and transportation, says Mohammad Faraj, Vice President, Digital Energy & Power Products, Schneider Electric

Mohammad Faraj, Vice President, Digital Energy & Power Products, Schneider Electric

The world is changing at an incredible pace and technology remains the chief catalyst of transformation. It has changed how we live, work and communicate. And we believe the integration of digital innovation into the energy landscape will form the backbone of a new electric world that is more sustainable, resilient and efficient.

Electric and digital technologies are becoming increasingly ubiquitous because they are essential to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of the boiling planet. Electric power is a clean, renewable, and highly efficient energy source that can be used to power everything from homes and businesses to cars and transportation networks.

To achieve a net-zero carbon world, we need to revolutionise the way we manage energy and design our buildings, industries, and transportation. Over the past two centuries, there have been four major technological revolutions that have dramatically altered our industrial landscape.

The traditional electricity system that we have relied on for so long is being replaced with something entirely new. This transformation is on an unprecedented scale, and it’s the result of the convergence of digital and electric universes. This is the dawn of the New Electric World, or what we call Electricity 4.0.

Embracing the integration of electricity and digital innovation is crucial if we want to harness the power of the new electric world. We are entering a new era where businesses can maximise energy and resources while creating their own path to sustainability.

The convergence of digital and electric universes in Electricity 4.0 drives a fundamental shift in how we measure, use, save, and distribute energy, delivering more and wasting less. By investing in digitising processes, embracing new technology, and having a firm understanding of the ways in which our actions can bring about change, we can help build a more sustainable world.

Schneider Electric is one of several Fortune 500 companies that are putting software business solutions at the fore of its operations. IoT-enabled, plug-and-play interoperable building-management software can be deployed to optimise the entire energy cycle and help mitigate, adapt, and improve resilience to climate change.

These systems provide real-time data analysis and actions using cloud-linked sensors, which can help businesses optimise their entire energy cycle by using power more efficiently when it’s needed most.

Digital innovation is not limited to industries alone. Homeowners and consumers can benefit from a range of technologies that help them monitor their energy usage and find ways to reduce it. By utilising software and analytics, they can generate data that informs them about their energy consumption patterns and identifies areas where they can cut back on energy usage.

Of course, there are challenges to this transition. The infrastructure needed to support electric and digital technologies requires significant investment, and there are concerns around the environmental impact of producing batteries and other components. However, the benefits far outweigh the costs. The shift to sustainable energy and digital technologies will create new jobs, boost economic growth, and improve our quality of life.