ACCIONA Energía - Experts & Thought Leaders

Schneider Electric, the global company in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, will unveil an array of new technologies and software solutions at Hannover Messe 2023, in order to help industries address the global priorities of energy security, resource efficiency, and sustainability. “We are at a unique moment in history, where the global goal of carbon neutrality is meeting the short-term need to mitigate the energy crisis,” said Barbara Frei, Executive Vice President - Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, adding “We have an unprecedented opportunity to tackle these issues, but it requires a mindset shift and the right tools.” Holistic view of energy investment We must take a holistic view of energy investment, addressing both efficiency and the move to clean-energy generation" Barbara Frei continues, “We must take a holistic view of energy investment, addressing both efficiency and the move to clean-energy generation. The digitalization, automation, and electrification technologies we will showcase at Hannover Messe are proof that solutions to the challenges we face exist here and now.”  Hannover Messe is the world’s premier trade fair for industry, and it takes place this year in Hannover, Germany, from April 17 to 21, 2023. The innovations that Schneider Electric will announce at the event span its IoT-enabled, plug-and-play, open, interoperable architecture and platform, EcoStruxure, to drive efficiency in industries. They include: Edge control EcoStruxure Automation Expert V23.0: The world’s first software-centric industrial automation system now delivers software-based redundant automation solutions for the water desalination market. This extends the EcoStruxure Automation Expert portfolio to become the single control software platform that brings convergence across machine, hybrid, and process industrial operations. New features in V23.0 include enhanced integration with AVEVA System Platform to re-use graphics from existing applications for faster system design, and a new graphical editor for procedural automation which improves operational effectiveness. Multi-OS compatibility with EcoStruxure Automation Expert The new release brings multi-OS compatibility with the EcoStruxure Automation Expert HMI and archive now available on Linux, in addition to Windows, which allows users to develop similar objects across all compatible operating systems. Such an approach can bring concrete benefits to our projects both in the design phase and during operations" “The combination of EcoStruxure Automation Expert and a PC-based high-availability solution continues the trend of automation becoming more software-based and more hardware-agnostic,” said Alicia Pérez Ballester, Manager of Automation, Systems & Process Optimization at Acciona Water Solutions, a long-term customer and partner of Schneider Electric in this space. Alicia Pérez Ballester adds, “Such an approach can bring concrete benefits to our projects both in the design phase and during operations.” Connected products Motor management: The latest release of Schneider Electric’s motor management offers is delivered with new Spacial SFN enclosures that protect equipment in any conditions and enable faster and more flexible panel assembly with more than 1,000 possible configurations. The new enclosures are built with 35% less CO2 emissions than previous iterations, thanks in part to the use of decarbonized steel materials. The new Altivar ATV320 solar drives ensure reliable power supply for the motor management solutions with on- and off-grid compatibility and provide environmentally friendly pumping solutions without producing any CO2 emissions. The updated solution is more robust and can handle more than 50% added static weight to accommodate solutions from across the TeSys range of motor starters and equipment. GM AirSeT Performance: With the new AirSeT, Schneider Electric extends and strengthens its sustainable SF6-free portfolio, which avoids the use of this potent and harmful greenhouse gas. The gas-insulated switchgear helps industrial customers better manage tightening F-gas regulations and eliminate the requirement for gas recycling from their installations. Based on pure air and natively digital connectivity with integrated services, the GM AirSeT Performance is the most powerful and resilient SF6-free medium voltage switchgear in the Schneider Electric portfolio and is suitable for most energy-intensive and critical infrastructure projects. Easy UPS 3-Phase Modular (50-250kW/400V) – Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): This new solution helps to optimize capital expenditure with a pay-as-you-grow model and features that lower the cost of site acceptance testing by eliminating the need for an expensive load bank. The solution is an IEC-certified modular UPS with live swap modules that deliver Class-1 power protection and availability in a compact design, making it ideal for small and medium data centers, as well as business-critical commercial and industrial applications.  PowerLogic™ P7 Protection Relay: This next-generation power protection and control platform is designed for the most complex, demanding, and advanced industrial applications to maximize operational efficiency, power availability, and electricity security. It provides an improved digital experience to reduce complexity at all stages of the product lifecycle. Performance and flexibility have been increased to deliver a modular, cyber-secure, and future-proof platform, which is fully prepared for virtualization. It is adaptable for specific requirements with new application-oriented firmware and added Ethernet communication modules and I/O boards. Apps, analytics, and services ETAP: A new and integrated electrical digital twin platform to manage the complete electrical system lifecycle, from design and engineering to operations and maintenance. It empowers users to increase productivity, collaboration, and efficiency, and enables their energy transition journey. AVEVA: Now fully owned by Schneider Electric and operated as an independent and autonomous business, AVEVA will present its new vision for industrial software: an agnostic and cloud-enabled platform where companies can collaborate, innovate, and share data through the connected industrial economy. Visitors will be able to see how AVEVA’s digital twin (the foundation of the industrial metaverse) will bring this vision to life. From asset design to asset optimization, AVEVA will demonstrate the value of well-managed industrial information to drive efficiency and sustainability. Services: Schneider Electric’s experts and consultants will be on hand to share details about the company’s refreshed services portfolio, including the newly-launched Industrial Digital Transformation Service which helps industrial companies accelerate their digital transformation. They will also discuss strategies for reaching sustainability goals, demonstrate how the company can help industrial customers tackle their key challenges, and showcase the benefits of diverse energy portfolios with greener energy sources. Schneider Electric sessions for media include: Monday, April 17, 2023 1:00 pm CET – Media and analysts conference: Actions to address the energy crisis Schneider Electric stand (hall 11, stand C46) in the theater Focusing on both sides of the energy equation – demand and supply – this session will highlight the opportunities created by digitalization, electrification, and automation. Together with AVEVA, Schneider Electric will set out its vision for the Industries of the Future, delving into the industrial metaverse and software-defined solutions. Tuesday, April 18, 2023 10:00 am CET – Media and analysts breakfast: Innovation and technology Schneider Electric stand (hall 11, stand C46) in the hospitality area The session focuses on the impact of automation on industry: from design and engineering efficiency and automated data continuity leveraging AI to reliable, safe, and cyber-secure operations. It will take attendees through EcoStruxure Automation Expert V23.0 and new AVEVA software. Schneider Electric sessions for customers and event attendees include: Monday, April 17, 2023 1:00 pm CET – Presentation: The real value of AI in industrial automation Philippe Rambach, Chief AI Officer, will discuss strategies for successful AI at scale and demonstrate key AI use cases for the industrial automation sector from Schneider Electric’s customers and its own operations. Learn how data-based insights can lead to greater efficiency and sustainability. Throughout the event: Innovation talks: Subject experts and leading industrial companies discuss the latest trends and technologies that are impacting the industrial market. Smart factory experiences: Tours through Schneider Electric Smart Factories and supply chain with live streams direct from the factory floors. Guided tours: 45-minute sessions that demonstrate how to ensure effective digital transformation, increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, and achieve sustainability and profitability goals. Tours include hands-on demonstrations of the next generation of automation and energy management technologies, software, and IIoT integration.

Plug Power Inc. and ACCIONA Energía have presented to the Government of Navarra (Spain) their Valle H2V Navarra joint project to build an industrial-scale, green hydrogen production plant in Rocaforte, Sangüesa. The project, currently in the development stage, involves the construction of a 25MW electrolyzer on the land plots adjacent to the Sangüesa biomass plant. The electrolyzer will be powered by hybrid renewable energy produced at a photovoltaic plant (25MW) and a wind farm (24MW), both newly built facilities that are currently under development. On-road mobility applications The plans of Plug and ACCIONA Energía entail a total associated investment of €87 million, and the creation of over 500 direct, indirect, and induced jobs during the construction of the plant. Once built, the plant will reach a total production of 3,880 tons of green hydrogen per year Once built, the plant will reach a total production of 3,880 tons of green hydrogen per year. The aim is to use 90% of the green hydrogen production for consumption by the main energy-intensive industries in the area, such as paper, glass, steel, food and automotive, contributing to their decarbonization and the reduction of their CO2 emissions, including Plug’s customers in material handling, stationary power, and on-road mobility applications. The remaining 10% will be used for the transport sector through the installation of a hydrogen station at the same location. Initially planned power The project envisages the possibility to expand the hydrogen plant in the future, depending on the evolution of demand, to double the initially planned power (50MW) of electrolysis. Several representatives from the Navarra Government attended the presentation, including the President, María Victoria Chivite, the Regional Minister of Economic and Business Development Mikel Irujo, and the General Director of Industry, Uxue Itoiz. In addition, the Mayor of Sangüesa Lucía Echegoyen, and the President of the Rocaforte Council María Eugenia Pérez, participated too. Representing the project was the Chairman of ACCIONAPLUG and CEO of ACCIONA Energía, Rafael Mateo, the CEO of ACCIONAPLUG, Alan Ripa, and the European Sales Director for the Applications Business unit of Plug, Alasdair Leapman. Renewable energy generation The project brings together all the key elements of the green hydrogen value chain The President of Navarra, María Chivite, announced during the meeting that the regional government is declaring the Valle H2V Navarra project an investment of interest for the region at its session tomorrow.  This will speed up its processing and development. She also highlighted the ‘strategic’ nature of this project, not only because of the investment and the jobs created, but also because ‘it will provide clean energy to the industrial ecosystem of the region, where there are companies that are large consumers of energy, and because it will place Sangüesa on the innovation map.’ The project brings together all the key elements of the green hydrogen value chain: renewable energy generation, production infrastructure, storage, and distribution of green hydrogen. At this time, it will be one of the largest hydrogen plants commissioned in Europe. Qualitative and quantitative boost The Valle H2V Navarra project plans to start generating green hydrogen by the end of 2024 "Valle H2V Navarra was created with the objective of being the first operational green hydrogen generation plant at industrial scale in Navarra, and to give a qualitative and quantitative boost to the decarbonization of the industry in the region," said Rafael Mateo, Chairman of ACCIONAPLUG and CEO of ACCIONA Energía. "In addition, this project is of particular interest thanks to its scalability and replicability, as it will provide an operational example of the contribution of green hydrogen in the energy transition." The Valle H2V Navarra project plans to start generating green hydrogen by the end of 2024, thus enabling the government of Navarra to comply with the Navarra Green Hydrogen Agenda, a roadmap for the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem, which foresees the installation of between 10MW and 30MW of production by 2024 and 150MW by 2030 in the region. Green hydrogen economy The joint venture, based in Madrid, combines Plug's best-in-class electrolyzer technology The Valle H2V Navarra project is being developed by ACCIONAPLUG, a 50/50 joint venture between ACCIONA Energía, the pioneer in renewable energies, and Plug Power, provider of turnkey hydrogen solutions for the global green hydrogen economy, such as electrolyzers, fuel cells, and liquefaction. The joint venture, based in Madrid, combines Plug's best-in-class electrolyzer technology and ACCIONA Energía's status as the distributor of 100% renewable energy in Spain and Portugal, countries where ACCIONAPLUG is working on the development of green hydrogen projects. Spain and Portugal are ready to play an important role in the European economy's path to decarbonization, benefiting from high levels of renewable resources. The Spanish government presented its hydrogen roadmap in October 2020 and Portugal approved its own in August 2020. ACCIONAPLUG's goal is to reach 20% market share by 2030.