Solar Impulse Foundation Awards Efficient Solution Label to Schneider Electric's Altivar Drives

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been awarded the Solar Impulse Foundation's "Efficient Solution" label for two of its Altivar most variable speed drives

FREMONT, CA: Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been awarded the Solar Impulse Foundation's "Efficient Solution" label for two of its Altivar most variable speed drives: The Altivar 600 range of ready-to-order and custom-engineered drives and the Altivar 312 Solar drives for pumps with photovoltaic arrays.

This recognition is part of the Solar Impulse Foundation's challenge to choose 1,000 solutions that can profitably preserve the environment and show decision-makers in various business and government sectors that clean technologies can also be financially viable. It is further proof of Schneider Electric's strong commitment towards sustainable solutions.

The two drives were chosen as "Efficient Solutions" following a rigorous assessment by a team of external independent experts:

• Altivar 600 was designed, keeping in mind the energy and asset management support and improving the overall performance of industrial and utility processes. In particular, the solution method contributes to up to 25 percent of energy savings and allows up to 50 percent for optimized energy consumption.

• Altivar 312 Solar requires CapEx investment (solar panels, drives, water pump, etc.) but requires very low operation costs (no fuel costs, low maintenance) compared to the mainstream alternatives. NGOs in developing countries often prefer and support such sustainable investments.

Driving Sustainability & Profitability with Altivar

Energy consumption has substantial impacts on both environment and finances. The Altivar 600 range of drives, mainly focused on fluids management processing and energy savings, is ideal to use wherever pumps, fans, or compressors are present. The Altivar 312 Solar is an 'easy to connect' drive dedicated to the environment, and functions with a wide range of pumps and solar arrays at a low lifecycle maintenance cost.

“Altivar 600’s services-oriented concept meets most needs of process industries and utilities in terms of equipment efficiency and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). By reducing maintenance costs, supporting energy management, asset management, and the overall performance of a process, end users can improve their energy efficiency by more than 40 percent through embedded service control. It is the ideal solution for customers looking for increased OpExsavings in the new normal. The ATV312 Solar is an environmentally friendly, economical, and flexible solution which can facilitate the delivery of drinking water to people with limited or no access to an electricity grid, at a much lower cost than existing solutions.” - Henry KIM (Head of Marketing, Drives, Schneider Electric).

Recently, the Solar Impulse Foundation also put the spotlight on EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor and NEO Network solutions, recognizing Schneider Electric's commitment to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals defined by the UN.