On February 13, Schneider Electric announced its participation in the "Better Buildings Challenge" initiative launched by the White House, with a commitment to reduce energy consumption by 25% across its 40 factories (with a total floor area of approximately 9 million square feet).
This project is part of the "Better Buildings Initiative" launched by the White House last February. It aims to call on CEOs of various enterprises, university presidents, and state and local leaders to create job opportunities in the U.S. by improving energy efficiency.
"This project is a model of government-enterprise cooperation, which will lead our country towards a more energy-efficient, safe, and stable future," said Chris Curtis, CEO of Schneider Electric North America. "We are creating jobs while reducing energy consumption because active energy efficiency management requires more retrofitting projects and construction activities, and we are creating employment through these activities, achieving a win-win situation."
Schneider Electric commits to achieving an annual energy saving of 2.5% over the next ten years in industrial automation. Since 2004, the company has already reduced its energy consumption by over 20% using its own technology for mid-range process controllers, saving $18 million in expenditures.
A manufacturing plant of Schneider Electric in Smyrna, Tennessee, is a pilot factory of the U.S. Department of Energy and also a demonstration project for the company's participation in the "Better Buildings Challenge." This factory recently completed the construction of a 6-acre, 1-megawatt solar power field, which is the first of its kind in the U.S. Through this project, the company can simplify the operation of the solar power field while conducting research and testing of renewable energy solutions. In combination with Schneider Electric's energy efficiency management solutions, the factory has successfully cut its energy consumption by 35% and is currently applying for ISO 50001 energy management standard certification and the "Superior Energy Performance" gold certification.
In addition, as the only energy efficiency management company participating in the challenge plan, Schneider Electric is also one of the pioneer enterprises practicing the energy performance contracting model. Some federal government construction projects under the "Better Buildings Challenge" will adopt this model, where the energy cost saved from energy efficiency upgrades will be used to pay for the cost of the renovation itself. According to a presidential memorandum signed by President Obama, the "Better Buildings Challenge" project will receive a $2 billion allocation for energy efficiency upgrades in federal government buildings. The long-term energy savings achieved will be used to cover the initial costs, thus not requiring taxpayer money.