Schneider Electric targets isolated systems in Brazil

Schneider Electric expects Brazil to play a key role in its plan to connect 50mn people to clean energy worldwide by 2025.

As part of this plan, the company recently launched its Vilaya Flex microgrid solution for isolated systems, i.e., those disconnected from the national power grid, which makes it possible to capture and store energy.

In this interview with BNamericas, Leandro Bertoni, vice president of Schneider Electric's power systems division for South America, talks about the contribution of Brazil as an energy consumer and an equipment supplier.

BNamericas: Does the launch of the Vilaya Flex microgrid solution for isolated systems have potential synergies with Brazil’s governmental programs? 

Bertoni: Vilaya Flex adds to our network of solutions to offer services to isolated communities. Since 2009, we’ve been participating in a number of programs in South America, focusing on public-private partnerships and development and subsidy programs aimed at bringing sustainable energy to communities.

At the same time, we participate in various public policy discussion groups on the subject. 

BNamericas: When people think of isolated systems in Brazil, they think a lot about the Amazon, but they exist in various regions of the country.

Bertoni: In the Amazon, we've been setting up systems in a community for a few years and educating the residents on how to make the best use of energy and even how to maintain the systems. 

We’re currently in talks with the UN about a program to expand access to energy using our product lines. And this involves the Brazil division, not least because we have a factory here. 

Even today, in Brazil, there are remote regions that still live off burning fuel oil to power small generators, even in areas that have large-scale wind and solar energy in operation. 

We've made a lot of progress with rural electrification programs, but we still have many small communities that are isolated. Brazil has very high demand. 

Editor's note: The UN initiative aims to achieve universal access to energy by 2030. In 2009, Schneider established the Access to Energy program to connect 50mn people globally to clean energy by 2025.

BNamericas: What are the main technological advances achieved and planned by Schneider?

Bertoni: The aim is always to generate as much electricity as possible with the least amount of solar energy. These are digital systems that can be connected to the grid, which are easy to maintain and as efficient as possible. We've managed to boost energy generation a lot with relatively small equipment. 

BNamericas: Do your solutions for isolated systems come with batteries?

Bertoni: Batteries have evolved a lot, gaining useful life, just like solar panels. When solar energy is lost, the battery is activated to maintain supply. This is essential, for example, to keep health centers in communities running, preserving medicines. 

BNamericas: The government is studying including energy storage solutions in the next backup capacity tender. What are your expectations?

Bertoni: There’s a lot of debate on the issue of storage; many companies have started investing in this area. And Schneider has the electrical and digital solution, control, digitization and efficient management of batteries, maximizing or even extending their useful life. 

The barrier to storage getting off the ground is legislation. Every investment by a utility in stability and reliability has a return in the revision of electricity rates. It’s not yet clear how much an agent will be paid for investing in such a system. I think the big players are waiting for this to really get going on their projects. 

BNamericas: What kind of projects are these? 

Bertoni: Mainly in the areas of energy transmission or distribution. That's where we see the biggest gains in terms of storage.