Project to Modulate Electricity Capacity of Large Industrial Consumers

Dubai-UAE: 24 June, 2012 - Global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, APC by Schneider Electric, in partnership with Energy Pool, and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission[1] (CEA), launched the EnR-Pool project, which modulates the energy capacity of large industrial consumers to promote renewable energy development.

Hosted at Savoie Technolac, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France, the launch was attended by French Senator Jean-Pierre Vial, Chairman of Savoie Technolac, Co-Chairman and Founder of INES (National Solar Energy Institute[2]) and member of the Senate Energy Commission.

EnR-Pool aims to assess ways that industrial customers can adjust their energy consumption to help solve problems related to the integration of intermittent renewables on the electrical network while improving their competitiveness. Towards this end, the EnR-Pool project will develop solutions and business models designed to leverage load shedding and demand response mechanisms.

Olivier Baud, CEO and Founder of Energy Pool, said: "The uncertainty in the production of renewable energy may conflict with the needs of consumers and can cause difficulties in managing electrical systems. However, wind and solar energies are intermittent and variable, but predictable. The EnR-Pool project aims to provide solutions to strike a balance between production and electricity consumption, based on the active participation of consumers."

The EnR-Pool project is financed by French Environment and Energy Management Agency[3] (ADEME) as part of its 'Investments for the Future' program. ADEME is set to contribute EURO1.1 million out of a total budget of EURO2.3 million. Based on a three year schedule, key EnR-Pool project actions include:

  • Aggregation and measurement of several hundred MW of renewable energy output from wind and solar sources

  • Reliability analysis of production forecasting tools

  • Consumption monitoring of several large electro-intensive industrial sites in France

  • Development of systems enabling the sites to modulate electricity and contribute to balancing the grid

  • Analysis of the functioning of new energy markets

EnR-Pool aims to affirm technical feasibility and develop systems and business models that enhance the efforts of network players including consumers, producers, network operators and grid balancing specialists. Ultimately, the principle of demand management developed by EnR-Pool is to reduce or shift consumption when the wind drops and/or the sun is hidden, and vice versa to stimulate consumption when production is high and demand is low. Maintaining this balance of the network would therefore facilitate lower energy costs.

-Ends-

About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructures, Industries & Machine Manufacturers, Non-residential Buildings, Data Centres & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the Group's 130,000 plus employees achieved sales of 22.4 billion euros in 2011, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy. www.schneider‑electric.com   

About APC by Schneider Electric
APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading hardware, software, and services designed to ensure availability and higher energy efficiency across the residential, business network, data centre, and manufacturing environments. Backed by the strength, experience, and wide network of Schneider Electric's Critical Power and Cooling Services, APC delivers well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained solutions throughout their lifecycle. Through its unparalleled commitment to innovation, APC delivers energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications. www.apc.com

For further information, please contact:
Schneider Electric
Tushar Choudhury
Tel: +971 4 3433404
Fax: +971 4 3435330
Email: Tushar.Choudhury@schneider-electric.com

Stephanie Alviso
Phone: +971 4 709 91 00 ext. 1413  
Fax: +971 4 709 91 01
Email: stephanie.alviso@schneider-electric.com

APCO Worldwide 
Mathilda Saad
M: +971 55 6999 890
Tel: +971 4 361 3879
Email: msaad@apcoworldwide.com

Razi Hassan
(T) +971 4 3613598
(M) +971 553786543
(F) +971 4 3688001
Email:  rhassan@apcoworldwide.com


[1] Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives.

[2] Institut National de l'Énergie Solaire.

[3] Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maitrise de l'Energie.

© Press Release 2012