By John Mark V. Tuazon
Computerworld Philippines
July 5, 2010

The relatively high cost of power in the Philippines is fuelling the business of energy management provider Schneider Electric, whose key value proposition focuses on managing exponential energy costs from the enterprise down to the home user, an executive remarked recently.

Philippine companies are very much open to utilizing energy efficiency solutions from Schneider Electric, shared Philip Reveilhac, due mainly to the higher cost of energy in the country.

“A lot of companies in the Philippines want to change,” he explained. “They are as open as any company, once you explain to them the impact of their [energy consumption]”.

Reveilhac refused to disclose specific revenue details about their business in the Philippines, but remarked that they have “already reached this year’s target” halfway through the year.

Schneider Electric’s success in the Philippine market speaks volumes about the efforts of firms in the country to cut down their energy consumption, the demand for which, Reveilhac noted, is set to double in the next 40 years.

On the flipside, the world needs to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by half, in order to prevent any significant changes in the climate, thus creating the energy dilemma, which, the executive said, is “here to stay.”

This dilemma is compounded by a booming population—approximately eight billion by 2030—and the high concentration of population in the city. “The more inhabitants, the more energy is needed,” Reveilhac explained.

The best and most efficient way to generate energy, Reveilhac noted, is to save it. “For every one kilowatt/hour worth of energy saved at home, three energy units are saved at the power plant,” he shared.

There is a need, therefore, to focus energy conservation measures on the final energy consumers, top of which include industry and infrastructure (38%); transportation (27%); buildings (18%); residential (15%); and data centers (less than 2%).

Reveilhac pointed out that the manufacturing and infrastructure industry is of particular interest to the company “because the variation and modification is very high. They are always updating their business processes.”

Energy management products are likewise big in the real estate (buildings) business, particularly hotels, because they are one of the huge guzzlers of power around.

Reveilhac shared that they plan to approach the problem in a four-pronged manner, which include: measuring and understanding how energy is consumed; selecting low-consumption appliances and devices; automating electricity requirements to ensure devices are turned on only when needed; and monitoring energy consumption.

The new Schneider Electric office, inaugurated on June 25, was a testament to the green initiatives of the company, according to Reveilhac. Housing the three business units of the firm under one roof—Schneider Electric, MGE, and APC—the new office features motion sensors to detect activity inside a room and adjust lighting requirements accordingly, as well as adjustable lighting systems that can be dimmed whenever natural light is available.

“We want our customers and partners to have a first-hand [experience] on the ease of use and benefits of entrusting their energy efficiency requirements with us,” Reveilhac said.

The new Schneider Electric office is located at the 24th floor, Fort Legend Towers, at Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Exist to Host Cebu Healthcare Panel
• Loss of Apple chip contract sees Samsung value decline
• Apple files for preliminary injunction against Galaxy Tab 10.1
• Reports: Nasdaq admits technical bugs affected Facebook IPO trading
• Judge tells Apple and HTC to talk settlements

 Print This Post