Puente la Reina – sustainable progress built on a shared understanding – part 1

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Here at Schneider Electric, we believe it is important to practice what we preach; as well as supporting our customers to be more sustainable and reduce their carbon emissions, we must ensure that this ethos infiltrates every part of our business around the world too. That's why since 2011, we are proud to have been ranked on Corporate Knights' Global 100 list of Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.

One of the proof of this can be found at our Puente la Reina factory in Navarra, Northern Spain, where a combination of cutting-edge technology and a shared personal commitment amongst the team have helped to implement meaningful change and drive sustainable manufacturing, in line with wider business sustainability goals and values.

Join us in this first instalment of a two-part series, where we're taking a look at the remarkable initiatives and innovative technology used across the site that helps drive this.

Schneider Electric growing sustainability in Navarra

2024 marks 50 years that Schneider has Electric operated in Navarra, with consistent investment and innovation over time, helping transform its operations from a traditional manual manufacturing model to a 100% connected Smart Factory of the future.

More than 70 million switch and socket outlets, including flagship lines such as Unica, Odace, Ovalis and New Unica, are produced each year at the 14,000m² site, which are then distributed to over 70 countries across the world, including France, Spain and Egypt which are three of the leading purchasers.

However, a lot has changed since manufacturing first began in Navarra, and today, the factory is a benchmark in terms of sustainability.

At Schneider Electric, we have ambitious goals when it comes to reducing our carbon emissions and reaching Net Zero. At Puente la Reina, significant changes have been made over the past decade, including moving the site to utilise 100% electricity from renewable electricity since 2019, as well as being more mindful about our wase, with the factory operating as zero to landfill since 2018.

As a result of the hard work and dedication from everyone on site, the factory has achieved Zero CO2 site status in 2024 - two years ahead of schedule - eliminating CO₂ offsets to the planet.

An integral part of achieving this milestone was the integration of a microgrid; a self-contained electrical network that enables the Navarra factory to create its own electricity on-site and meets 15% of the site's energy needs. This is achieved thanks to renewable energy generation from the 1,796 solar panels installed across the factory's roof, which are capable of producing up to 1.1 GWh per year, and 135 kWh of battery storage that further reinforce Puente la Reina's sustainable energy infrastructure. This renewable energy is even used to power the 5 electric vehicle charging points incorporated into the microgrid!

Alongside this, the site utilises artificial intelligence and machine learning for efficient energy management. By optimising energy demand and utilising on-site renewables, the microgrid not only enables greener operations but also significantly reduces energy expenses.

This is all managed with sophisticated AI algorithms, where our EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor determines the optimal times for energy consumption, production, and storage, all whilst considering factors such as weather conditions and predicted utility rates. This allows the factory to avoid peak utility rates by seamlessly switching to on-site energy during periods of high demand.

Let's take a deeper dive into how exactly the EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor works…

EcoStruxure software and data use in sustainable business

EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor enables companies to collect, analyse and automate information, relating to sustainability goals all in one place.

The platform brings together masses of energy data and information available at our Puente la Reina factory such as electricity usage, solar power storage levels, temperature control, emissions and more. As well as allowing for accurate, live monitoring of all sustainable operations, we can analyse the results of any experiments to improve performance and develop new strategies based on these results.

The AI algorithms included in the EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor control panel help to optimise the use of energy, combining direct self-consumption with capacity from battery storage or from the main grid based on an equation that calculates availability, cost, and CO₂ emissions. These algorithms also manage the recharging of electric vehicle batteries to reduce energy costs.

All the equipment used across the site to monitor energy outputs report back through the EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor, which aggregates many others of our software solutions used across the Puente la Reina site, alongside Power Monitoring Expert, Lean Digitization System and more to help optimise efficiency and drive sustainability.

However, data and software alone aren't responsible for the success of this site's sustainability journey. What has made these incredible results possible is the perfect balance of leading technology and a skilled professional team with a hunger to always improve. Join us in part two of this series to take a closer look at the team working across the site and how they are also supporting the local community.

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