Aggressive investment and innovation in power over the next 20 years are imperative.
Particularly at a time when the world faces a steep energy crisis and the challenge to provide reliable and cost-competitive electricity for poverty reduction and sustainable development remains largely unresolved, according to Jean-Pascal Tricoire, President and CEO, Schneider Electric.
Tricoire’s comments come ahead of Schneider Electric’s participation at the fifth World Future Energy Summit (WFES), the world’s foremost annual meeting committed to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies.
The event will be held from 16-19 January, 2012 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). This year’s high-profile summit is slated to draw the participation of key political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders including the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
This year, Schneider Electric will exhibit its industry-first solutions at the Energy Management Hall 5, Booth 5100. The stand will display the revolutionary ‘SmartCity’ range of critical infrastructure management tools. The holistic software integrates ‘SmartGrid’ solutions for electricity demands and renewable energy, ‘SmartMobility’ to facilitate resident mobility, ‘SmartWater’ to safeguard against water hazards and meet growing water demand, ‘Smart Public Services’ for public safety, healthcare and government administration, and ‘Smart Building and Homes’ to optimize resource consumption and comfort.
The suite of ‘SmartCity’ solutions arrive at a crucial juncture, with the booming urban growth worldwide accommodating 50% of the world’s population, 75% of global energy consumption, and 80% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Day-two of the summit will see Jean-Pascal Tricoire sharing perspectives on energy management during his keynote address at the ‘Business Leaders in Future Energy – Insights from the Executive Suite’ segment.
Goktug Gur, Country President – UAE & Oman, Schneider Electric Gulf, said: “WFES offers a unique platform to identify new opportunities and a chance to meet with influential thought leaders and decision makers in the energy sector. The event highlights the growing role of the UAE and Abu Dhabi in promoting innovation and investment opportunities in renewable energy and clean technologies.”
In 2011, WFES attracted over 26,000 participants from 137 countries including more than 3,600 CEOs/MDs. This year’s four-day summit has been designed to address the theme ‘Powering Sustainable Innovation’.