- Schneider Electric hosted the Innovation Day Philippines 2023 with the theme of Innovations for a Sustainable Philippines.
- The event gathered key industry leaders to examine the possibility of a sustainable future powered by digital and electric energy through a series of keynotes, strategy talks, and panel discussions.
- Featured speakers include key representatives from Schneider Electric, the Department of Energy, AboitizPower, and Meralco.
Schneider Electric Philippines has recently hosted Innovation Day 2023 with the theme “Innovations for a Sustainable Future.” The hybrid event, held both in-person and online, aimed to bring industry leaders from the region together to collaborate and discuss how the Philippines can accelerate its sustainability efforts through digital and electric energy. The event featured several sessions where attendees heard from various speakers, including Department of Energy Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Christina Guevara and executives from Schneider Electric, Meralco, and AboitizPower.
In her opening remarks, Schneider Electric Philippines Country President Ireen Catane highlighted the significance of digital and electric energy in powering the Philippines’ future while encouraging participants to explore the interactive Innovation Hubs that showcase the possibilities of a balanced future powered by digital and electric energy. Catane emphasized that efficiency and sustainability are essential for companies to operate, thrive, and make a positive impact. She added that Schneider Electric is committed to being a digital partner for sustainability and efficiency, and together they can explore innovations for a sustainable future.
Digital innovations for a better energy future
As the world continues to rapidly evolve digitally, it has become essential to incorporate digitalization in achieving economic progress and expanding opportunities and service improvements for businesses.
DOE Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Christina Guevara emphasized the importance of digital innovations in her keynote presentation, particularly in developing the Philippines. She discussed how smart manufacturing and digitization can promote inclusivity and accessibility in the energy sector, the application of technologies towards a low-carbon future, the green transmission system, and the future of energy.
Undersecretary Guevara stressed the need for a commitment from all sectors and stakeholders to drive the uptake of digital innovation in the local energy sector. She also highlighted the importance of upskilling people, digitizing processes, innovating infrastructure, and aligning energy plans across all sectors of the economy to contribute to a low-carbon future.
Driving towards a resilient Philippines
The Philippines’ growth and sustainability aspirations will be adversely affected by climate inaction. With the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the call to prioritize environmental protection is more urgent than ever.
During his keynote presentation, Christopher Quinn highlighted how technology can aid companies in achieving energy resilience and net-zero emissions. He emphasized the need for both digital and electric solutions to secure a sustainable future and a new electric economy. Quinn urged for immediate action by reducing carbon emissions, replacing outdated technologies, and embracing electrification. Collaboration towards a digital, electric, sustainable, and efficient future is now more crucial than ever.
Addressing the challenges towards sustainability energy and digitization
The Philippines is still undergoing developments in the renewable energy and digitization landscape, and despite notable advancements and improvements, it faces significant challenges.
Schneider Electric Philippines facilitated an engaging panel discussion with leaders from the power sector, discussing energy distribution, supply, transmission, and generation, as well as promoting energy efficiency and sustainability.
Schneider Electric Power & Grid Regional Segment Leader, Sara El Fanidi, joined AboitizPower Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Anton Perdices and Meralco First Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo to answer pressing questions in the power sector.
Perdices shared that the current challenge in the Philippines is the limited supply of renewable energy due to the lack of green energy infrastructure, such as solar farms and hydroelectric plants. However, regulatory groups, like the Department of Energy (DOE), have plans for green energy and sustainable infrastructure in the Philippines.
Ravelo emphasized that a close and collaborative relationship between the private and public sectors is necessary to accelerate sustainability in the country.
“There is no room for competition in this new world of energy—we are all in the same boat,” concluded Fanidi, adding that renewable energy is quickly becoming a necessity, and more sources are needed to meet the increasing demand for green power.
Discussing digitization and the future of net-zero
After the panel discussion and keynote presentations, the latter part of the event featured a series of strategy talks that explored the intersection of digitization and net-zero. Schneider Electric East Asia Regional Services Lead Gary Chen led a discussion on the path towards a future powered by amplified digitization. He emphasized the company’s net-zero commitment and how it mobilizes its entire ecosystem to act for a climate-positive world.
Paul Chapman, Schneider Electric Asia Pacific Vice President for Cloud and Service Providers Segment, discussed blazing the trail to net-zero data center operations. Chapman presented the framework companies can follow to navigate their path towards net-zero operations amidst the increasing impact of climate change and rising energy costs.
Schneider Electric Head of Digital Building Brian Chan explained the blueprint for net-zero buildings of the future and how developers and operators can capture the power of the all-digital, all-electric world with more sustainable, resilient, efficient, and people-centric buildings.
To close the strategy talks, Schneider Electric representatives Ravindra Bharadwaj N and Ricardo Domingo Jr. illustrated the smart factory and how it drives smart manufacturing. They presented live use cases, Schneider’s Industry 4.0 framework, Ecostruxure, and innovative technologies employed in energy management, plant management, and asset equipment management.
“Today, we have shown you a glimpse into the future, where innovative technologies can drive our companies to be future-proof and energy-resilient towards our goal of becoming net-zero,” said Schneider Electric Philippines Business Development and Marketing Director Carlos Leviste, who gave the closing remarks. “Sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint—and we are committed to leading this race and being part of the solution for a more sustainable world.”
