Simon Zander has been appointed as the General Manager, Water and Wastewater, Schneider Electric Industry Business. In this role, Zander will work with Australian water and wastewater organisations tackle the operational and energy efficiency challenges they face.
He has over twenty years’ experience in the water industry and as General Manager of Serck Controls, led the company in its integration into the Schneider Electric business at the beginning of 2012.
Zander said: “In 2012, the water industry will be focused on increasing operational productivity and efficiencies. To achieve these efficiencies, we expect to see greater demand for real-time information access so operational decisions can be made more quickly.”
“For water networks and plants today, establishing a streamlined and integrated environment is a top priority. This can deliver significant energy reductions and will be a core focus of Schneider Electric’s work with water and utility customers in 2012,” he noted.
Damien McDade, National Segment Manager, Water and Wastewater, will work closely with Simon Zander.
McDade said: “In the heavily cost-constrained water market, water utilities need to cut their operating costs while rising to the challenges of water quality, sustainable development and stringent regulations.”
At the OzWater conference and exhibition in Sydney, Schneider Electric demonstrated customised solutions designed to help Australian water and utility organisations better manage their energy.
The Energy Optimisation System is a scalable energy management information system for wastewater treatment plants to optimise energy use, which can account for up to 30 per cent of operating costs.
Also demonstrated at OzWater was the AQUIS water distribution management software module, designed to give water network operators real-time network information for analysis and performance optimisation.
“Where information is provided in real-time, informed operational decisions and huge performance efficiency and water quality benefits can be gained. By using live SCADA data, the AQUIS model is transformed from a planning tool to a decision making tool, integrated in day-to-day operations – with instant and clearly identified benefits and economic advantages,” McDade continued.