Toward Electricity 4.0

How to ensure access to a stable energy source at an affordable price? More and more entrepreneurs are seeking answers to this question. Schneider Electric and Digital Poland report “Electricity 4.0” shows 86% of Polish entrepreneurs declaring that the increase in energy costs will have to be, at least partially, shifted onto the consumer.

However, the increase in electricity prices is not the only challenge that today’s energy market poses to businesses. Equally significant are supply disruptions, which have affected nearly half (48%) of large companies and around 70% of small and medium-sized enterprises over the past several months. The ongoing transformation in the energy sector, which we at Schneider Electric refer to as Electricity 4.0, offers a chance to overcome these challenges and achieve sustainable development goals.

Four out of five entrepreneurs are now convinced of the necessity of intelligent energy transformation based on renewable sources. Most of them are already taking steps in this direction or planning to do so. Implementing Electricity 4.0 solutions can triple the pace of CO2 emissions reduction and cut electric energy costs by up to 30%. These tangible benefits have driven 17% of all entities, including a substantial 51% of large companies, to adopt renewable energy sources, with photovoltaic panels taking the lead.

However, this action is just one of many elements within the transformation strategy towards Electricity 4.0. Intelligent electrification involves three pillars: creating a plan, digitalization, and proper decarbonization. Consequently, after defining strategic goals and means, organizations are pursuing other significant implementations, such as launching digital monitoring of electricity consumption, adopting control software for consumption and/or energy production, electrifying vehicle fleets, or introducing micro-energy grids. These initiatives are yet to be adopted by numerous companies in Poland.

For many companies, financial constraints and inadequate government support are the main barriers to achieving Electricity 4.0. One in four surveyed entrepreneurs also cites a lack of knowledge about implementing such technologies as a primary hindrance. Interestingly, almost half of them turn to the internet and self-sourced materials for information. Yet, this doesn’t have to be the case. Crafting an intelligent electrification strategy in your organization should involve seeking expert advice to ensure efficiency both in terms of final outcomes and costs. Join discussions with Schneider Electric representatives at the Forum, where they will outline the shared path towards Electricity 4.0.