Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced version 21.2 of EcoStruxure Automation Expert, further enhancing the capabilities of the world’s first software-centric universal automation system. Following previous success with its implementation across the consumer-packaged goods and logistics sectors, the new release will focus on helping future-proof water and wastewater (WWW) plant operations. Water and wastewater plants that implement EcoStruxure Automation Expert will now have complete life-cycle management, seamless integration of IT/OT services and improved system diagnostics for their automation systems. The solution also enables close integration with the AVEVA portfolio, further extending capabilities and options to add or modify as future needs arise.
EcoStruxure Automation Expert v21.2 is the next in an ongoing series of updates and enhancements that Schneider Electric delivers to the market at least twice a year.
“As the water/wastewater industry prepares for significant investments in modernization and growth, they will need to incorporate new digital tools to properly manage their operations and gain the greatest efficiencies moving forward,” said David Lee, water/wastewater segment leader, Schneider Electric. “By incorporating EcoStruxure Automation Expert, operators will gain greater control of their systems and reduce operating costs, while simplifying future maintenance needs.”
EcoStruxure Automation Expert allows the automation software to be separated from the hardware, providing freedom for WWW enterprises to break their dependency on proprietary hardware suppliers.
EcoStruxure Automation Expert will provide a single platform that evolves with time for water and wastewater subsegments, including:
- Treatment infrastructures: water treatment and wastewater treatment plants, desalination plants and industrial wastewater
- Network infrastructures: water and wastewater networks
- Water resources: distributed systems, such as irrigation systems
New enhancements in EcoStruxure Automation Expert v21.2 include:
Enhanced life cycle management: From designing and building water and wastewater plants to improving operation and maintenance, EcoStruxure Automation Expert offers seamless connection to engineering software – including AVEVA – so new designs or changes to existing ones can be validated virtually prior to implementation, both reducing errors and saving time and money. This asset centric approach allows for automatic deployment of process elements (with e.g., their control, supervisory, mechanical, electric and control designs) enabling process assets to be managed digitally across their entire life cycle.
Improved device integration and out-of-the-box application libraries: A continued drive for open, universal automation platforms has led to a streamlined license model and the introduction of a native visualization solution with EcoStruxure Automation Expert HMI now available on cost effective local panels.
Complete digital solution from end point to the cloud: A seamless integration of IT and OT systems boosts security and longevity, while ensuring customers have a solution that will evolve over time.
