Smart Weather Solutions - Schneider Electric

Smart Weather Solutions 

Weather as a Differentiator for 

Smart Cities Management 

June 2013

Introducing 

Smart Infrastructure 

Weather 

Who are we

Smart Infrastructure, Weather: 

One Company, Evolving Over 30 Years 

Schneider Electric - Smart Infrastructure - Weather – June 2013 

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Smart Infrastructure Weather 

Market Leader in Business 

Weather Solutions 

● The industry's independently rated 

most accurate weather forecasts 

● Proprietary technology and one of 

the market leaders in Weather 

Observations Systems 

● Unique observations, locationbased 

forecasts, and advanced 

decision support tools — globally 

● We provide Smart Weather 

Solutions to: 

● 250+ Airports all over the world. 

● 50% of the busiest Airports in USA. 

● 67% of the major U.S. air medical 

operators 

● 1.200+ FBOs 

● Most Major U.S. Airlines 

● 17 CSP Plants 

● 70% of major U.S. public utilities. 

● 60% of North American wind farms 

● 34 State DOT’s in USA. 

● 1000+ City and County Highway 

Departments 

● 56.000+ Customers in Agriculture. 


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Schneider Electric Weather References 


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Smart Weather Solutions: 

How Schneider Electric add Value 

Schneider Electric is a unique company with in-house solutions 

that Integrate Weather Observations and Forecasts. 

● We provide a complete offer of leading-edge Weather 

Observation Systems, that fulfill all the WMO and ICAO 

requirements and recommendations. 

● We integrate all kind of weather and 3rd parties information in an 

unique platform (weather observation networks, radar, satellite, 

lightning, customers assets,...) 

● Using all these inputs we generate our own weather forecast, 

providing the most most accurate weather forecasts in the market. 

● We monitor and track the weather and the customers assets to 

enable the management of critical infrastructures 

● Through a set of patented alerting and decision support tools, we 

supply our customer “Weather Intelligence" to improve the 

accuracy, efficiency and safety in the management of their 

infrastructures. 


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The Role of Weather 

in the Smart City

The Role of Weather in the Smart City 

Weather Forecasting 

Custom alerting and 

consultation services 

Pioneer in providing 

safety solutions 

30+ years global support 

of cities 

Airports 

Observation Systems 

Ramp Safety 

Custom Forecasts 

Power Generation 

Electric Utilities 

Renewable Energy 

Hydro 

Smart Buildings 

Energy-efficient buildings 

Demand/Response 

programs 

CVCV 

CVC 

V 

Integrated Corridor Mgmt. 

Weather-enabled ITS 

Snow and Ice forecasting 

Smart routing during 

emergencies 

Gas Distribution 

Smart metering 

Distribution 

management 

Gov’t / Public Safety 

Location Based Precision 

Weather Alerting 

Water Management 

Traffic Management 

Accurate forecasts 

Adaptive traffic control 

Public Transport 

Smart Irrigation 

Integrated solution 

Smart Grid 

Driving times 

Fleet management 



Water Sprinkler 

Smart Routing 

Location-based 

Distribution 

Management 

alerts 

management 


Distributed solar 

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Power Generation 

Business Description 

● Highly accurate weather 

forecasts to support demand 

(load) prediction and plan the 

needed power generation 

● Wind and solar power 

forecasting 

● Precipitation forecasting for 

hydro generation 

Key Customers 

Smart City Vision 

● Increase the city’s ability to be self sustaining through renewable power 

● Enable a higher % of the generation portfolio to be renewable 

● Utilize a higher percentage of generated power from renewable energy 

● Support city distributed (rooftop) solar incentive programs 

● Lower the environmental impact 


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Water Management 

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Accurate precipitation forecasts 

enable more realistic simulations of 

potential for flooding 

Real-time runoff and collection 

information to accurately predict 

areas of impact 

35 water utilities use SE forecasts 

and display tools and every 

community is a candidate 

● 

Key Customers 

New Offering Focused on Water Utilities 


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“Nowcast” precipitation estimates can drive early warning of flash flood events for urban 

sewage network modelling and flooding 

Enable communities to better manage sewage and avoid costly overflows 

Cities of the future will have to plan for more volatile weather events driving growth in this 

area 

SE can provide an integrated solution with accurate weather forecasts layered on top of key 

community assets 


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#1 business-to-business weather 

provider in North America 

24x7 support with Global Forecast 

Operations Center staffed with over 

50 meteorologists 

Hourly, Daily, and Seasonal 


Key Customers 


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Meteorological support for critical decisions will increase as climate change brings more 

extreme weather events 

Road and bridge deck forecasting 

Custom data network integration fused with next-generation display tools 

Accurate weather forecasts in support of municipal power generation 

Ensuring safe environment for municipal gatherings and other community-wide events 

Leading provider of custom airline and airport operational decision making forecasts 


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Government & Public Safety 


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Display and alerting services for 

fire, police and EMA 

Support for first responders to 

critical weather events 

Plume modeling around hazardous 

chemical spills 

Community-wide safety solutions 

Key Customers 


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Advanced weather forecasts, tools and alerts to help plan response and mitigate damage 

caused by tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, floods, snow, and tropical storms 

Lightning alerting to protect increasingly-mobile population 

Expert consultation around community-wide severe weather impacts 

Precision storm alerting utilizing Reverse-911 technology 

Air quality monitoring and alerting, focus on emerging markets IE China 

Safety solutions for schools, parks, athletes and patrons at sporting events 


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Airports 


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Deployment of Weather 

Observation systems to gather vital 

data 

Provide accurate and timely 

weather information to improve 

passenger and personnel safety 

Provide accurate and timely 

weather information to airlines and 

helicopter operators to improve 

Airline/Air Asset movements 


Key Customers 

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Efficient use of airport assets and resources allowing airports to efficiently and safely move 

people in and out of cities 

Precision severe weather alerts to airports ensuring the safety of passengers and ramp 

workers 

Enable airlines and helicopter operators to better manage assets and improve the level of 

service offered to the travelling public 

Airport sensor systems designed to provide safe operational environments for takeoffs and 

landings 

Integrated flight plan solutions designed to optimize safety, reduce fuel usage, and decrease 

CO2 emissions 


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Integrated Corridor Management 


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Integrated management of freeway, 

arterial, transit and parking systems 

within a corridor 

Management of the corridor as a 

system rather than traditional 

individual assets 

Weather intelligence enables the 

efficient management of the entire 

transportation network 

Key Customers 


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Weather-enabled Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) including variable speed limits, 

optimized signal timing and variable messaging signs 

Weather content for traveler information systems that promote optimum travel route and 

mode 

Snow and ice removal based on tightly integrated decision support system for quickest 

return to bare pavement in high-impact weather events 

Weather input for traffic modeling to better predict congestion during non-recurring events 

such as severe weather and blizzards 

Smart routing of emergency services during high-impact weather events 


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Traffic Management 


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Adaptive traffic signal control, 

speed limits and messaging signs 

driven by weather, incidents and 

special events 

Drive times, trip planning, weather 

and other traveler information 

Smart routing of emergency 

services, public transportation and 

freight 

Key Customers 


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Weather-enabled Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) including variable speed limits, 

optimized signal timing and variable messaging signs 


mode 

Weather input for traffic modeling to better predict congestion during non-recurring events 

such as severe weather and blizzards 

Smart routing of emergency services, public transportation and freight during high-impact 

weather events 

Weather content and mobile asset alerting for freight, emergency services and general 

public 


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Public Transportation 


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Fleet management of bus, rail and 

other public transportation 

Rider information services including 

weather, scheduling, incidents and 

special events 

Key Customers 


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Weather-driven smart routing of public fleets such as busses and trains for optimum 

efficiency, scheduling and rider safety 


mode 

Intelligent drive and ride times including the impact of weather, special events and incidents 


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Smart Irrigation 


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Top rated precipitation forecasts to 

better plan intelligent watering 

schedules 

Patented tools to accurately predict 

short-term precipitation trends 

Precision lightning network to 

provide protection to irrigation 

systems 


Key Customers 

New offering for: 

● Buildings 

● Municipal water utilities 

● Golf courses 

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Incorporate accurate precipitation forecasts into intelligent-irrigation tools to help save water 

Protect irrigation systems from lightning damage 

Weather-enable automatic sprinkler systems to better manage municipal water usage 


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Smart Buildings 


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Pre-cooling and pre-heating 

commercial buildings and homes 

for energy reduction, using current 

and forecasted precision weather 

Solar forecasts to better utilize 

distributed (rooftop) solar 

Support utility demand/response 

programs to reduce peak load, 

including pre-cooling when rates 

are lower 


Key Customers 

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Reduce energy consumption, while maintaining human comfort in buildings 

Less construction of new power plants by municipal electric utilities 

Increase the city’s ability to be self-sustaining through solar 

Lower the environmental impact 

Manage customer power and natural gas costs 


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Gas Distribution 


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Distribution Management – weather 

forecasts help with demand 

planning for gas transmission 

scheduling 

Reduce energy costs through 

optimized line pressure 

Smart Metering – help identify high 

usage buildings and consumption 

issues 

Key Customers 

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Reduce gas transmission energy costs 

Reduce gas distribution costs 


Identify unusual gas consumption 

Work to reduce consumption 


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Smart Grid 


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Distribution Management – weather 

forecasts and observations help 

with identifying load and potential 

outages 

Smart Metering – support 

identification of unusually high 

demand meters 

Support utility demand/response 

programs to reduce peak load 

Key Customers 


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Reduce energy consumption 

Improve distribution reliability 

Less construction of new power plants by municipal electric utilities 


Manage customer power costs 


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A solution in detail: 

Smart Aviation Weather

Smart Aviation Weather Solutions 

Schneider Electric - A Global Leader in 

Aviation Meteorology 

● Aviation Weather Systems implemented at over 

250 Airports and ATC/ATM facilities 

●Global weather displays, forecasts, and alerting 

services that are QICP Certified by the US FAA. 

●Designed for airports, airlines, corporate flight and 

helicopter operators 


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MetConsole ® Aviation Weather Suite 

●MetConsole ® Aviation Weather Suite is a comprehensive and state-ofart 

solution, that provides Aviation customers the real-time weather 

information needed for their daily operations 

●MetConsole ® Aviation Weather Suite includes one or more of the 

following systems: 

● AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) 

● LLWAS (Low Level Wind Shear Alert System) 

● ATIS/DATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) 

● VOLMET/DVOLMET (Meteorological Information for Aircraft in flight) 


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MetConsole ® Aviation Weather Suite 

● Schneider Electric has been installing and integrating weather 

solutions for airports for more than 30 years, and building on 

MetConsole ® as the core technology to manage all aspects of the 

solution 

● Experienced project managers and technical 

staff guide clients through the entire life-cycle 

of their projects 

● Interoperability is assured with other ATM 

Systems, as the MetConsole ® Aviation 

Weather Suite complies with all relevant 

international standards: 

● ICAO Annexes and Docs 

● WMO Guides 

● ARINC 

● EUROCAE 

● ESSAR 

● ISO, EN, CE,… 


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MetConsole ® AWOS 

● MetConsole ® AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) 

provides Met Services, Airports and ATC Authorities a flexible and 

reliable solution to automate the weather observation functions 

needed for an airport's operation 

● As part of MetConsole ® Aviation Weather Suite, MetConsole ® 

AWOS can be integrated with MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET and/or 

LLWAS modules to create a complete solution that covers the 

meteorological needs of all the aviation users 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Features 

Flexibility and Scalability 

The open and modular architecture allows you 

to deploy only the necessary combination of 

functions – from the most simple AWOS up to 

a nation-wide Network of CAT III AWOS with 

contingency and training system. 

User Configuration 

The system can be customized for specific 

needs. The MetConsole ® Graphical Editor and 

Configuration Tools allows the System to be 

configured to fulfill the specific customer 

requirements. 

Ease of Use 

MetConsole ® software and Microsoft 

Windows ® with point-and-click, menu-driven 

user interface enables workstation 

implementation and a nearly unlimited number 

of users. 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Simulation and 

Training 

Simulation and Training Tools 

● Schneider Electric’s MetConsole ® AWOS 

includes unique simulation and training 

tools to improve efficiency and 

effectiveness 

● MetSim can simulate the weather sensors 

for a complete airport. The sensor setup 

can be configured. 

● A wide variety of settings can be changed 

at run-time 

● Scenarios can be created for all 

sensors involved. This scenario can 

be stored, replayed, edited and 

played back. 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Simulation and 

Training 

● MetCoach can store real-time 

sensor data from any AWOS in your 

Network. You can play it back for 

teaching or auditing purpose. 

● Weather situation can be set by 

teacher, and students should 

respond with corresponding 

METARs 

● You can create student’s profile and 

store the different actions made and 

bulletins generated 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Automation Tools 

Automatic Message Generation 


allows the generation and delivery of any kind 

of message or bulletin needed 

● The system can be configured to run in a 

Fully Automatic Mode, generating METARs 

(even including trend forecasts) without 

human input 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Automation Tools 

Efficient Maintenance 

● A Technician/Maintenance Tool provides a 

range of functions for technicians and system 

administrators 

● Software upgrades and new configurations 

are distributed and activated remotely to all 

connected servers and clients in the network, 

with no effect on operational status 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Scalability 

Hardware Agnosticism 

● MetConsole ® AWOS is hardware agnostic and sensor independent — 

not limited to one manufacturer or brand — for maximum flexibility 

today and into the future 

Optimize your Investment 

● No need to upgrade the complete system. You can maintain the 

existing sensors and/or AWS. Customers that are renewing or 

upgrading their infrastructures, find our solutions as an exceptional 

value for the money. 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Scalability 

Adapted to the Customer 

● Schneider Electric’s MetConsole ® AWOS has been delivered for more 

than 30 years. Our systems are renown as the most configurable in 

the world, to meet virtually any requirement. We offer multiple 

interfaces with other Schneider Electric or third-party systems. 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Extensibility 

Network Concept 


is a real and complete Networked 

System with its Client/Server architecture 

● The network can be extended from the 

technical and/or forecast centers all the 

way up to the field instrumentation in the 

airport 


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MetConsole ® AWOS Extensibility 

● It allows the addition of features and 

users that increase the efficiency of the 

complete system: 

● Remote Observers 

● Centralized Forecasting 

● Centralized / Remote Maintenance 

. 


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MetConsole ® LLWAS 

Low Level Wind Shear Alert System 

● MetConsole ® LLWAS is the preventive tool used by airports and 

ATC authorities to detect dangerous wind shear and microburst 

conditions, and provide timely warnings to approaching and 

departing aircraft 

What is Wind Shear 

● A meteorological phenomenon associated 

with a sudden variation of wind speed and/or 

direction at an airport 

● Why is it dangerous for aviation 

● Aircraft flying through a wind shear zone may 

experience sudden significant fluctuations in 

airspeed and consequently, abrupt changes in altitude 


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MetConsole ® LLWAS 

Low Level Wind Shear Alert System 

● This is very dangerous during near an airport, where aircraft are 

flying below 1,000 ft while taking off or landing 

● Thunderstorms often produce gust fronts and microbursts, which 

causes wind shear by significantly disrupting the wind flow in the 

approach and departure paths of airports 


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MetConsole ® LLWAS Features 

Uniquely Designed 

● Schneider Electric’s MetConsole ® LLWAS is 

specifically designed to monitor wind shear 

induced by thunderstorms (gusts fronts, 

downbursts or microbursts) 

Proven Solution 

● MetConsole ® LLWAS implements the latest 

LLWAS Phase III Algorithm developed by 

NCAR for the US FAA 

● This algorithm has been implemented 

successfully in more than 100 airports 

around the world 

● Flexibility 


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MetConsole ® LLWAS Features 

Proven Solution (continued) 

● From 6 up to 52 wind sensors installed in an 

array along the runway’s corridor 

● Allows any configuration needed to protect 

your airport 

Connectivity 

● Interfaces provided to interchange LLWAS 

information, with AWOS, ATIS or ATC 

Systems 


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MetConsole ® LLWAS Benefits 

Timely Identification 

● Headwind loss or gain associated with the 

wind shear 

● Location of the first encounter with the wind 

shear 

● Generated alarms are displayed in 

standardized format in the control tower 

● POD > 90% / FAR < 10% 

Powerful BITE module 

● An additional SPES module improves the 

ability of the system to correctly detect wind 

shear, by continuously checking the quality 

and consistency of the wind data 


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MetConsole ® LLWAS Benefits 

Appropriated Sensor Sitting 

● Specialized Schneider Electric staff assist in 

conducting a site survey according to FAA 

6560.21A (Sitting Guidelines for LLWAS) 

● The resultant network is then tested 

using a computer model to verify the 

effective area of LLWAS protection 


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MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET 

● MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET provides a 

flexible, reliable and efficient solution that 

meet the demands of airports, ACCs and 

National ATM Facilities, which need to 

implement their Meteorological Information 

Services 

What Services can be Covered 

● ATIS: Automatic Terminal Information 

Service 

● VOLMET: Meteorological information for 

Aircrafts in Flight 


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MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET 

How is information provided to the Aircraft 

● 

● 

Voice-ATIS/VOLMET: Automatic 

continuous and repetitive voice 

broadcasts 

Digital-ATIS/VOLMET: Automatic 

forward of ATIS/VOLMET messages 

through Datalink 


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MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET Features 

Flexibility and Scalability 

● The open and modular architecture of 

MetConsole ® provides the unique 

capability to deploy any combination of 

ATIS and/or VOLMET 

Advanced Data Link Functions 

● Fully compliant with the EUROCAE ED- 

89-A 

● Gateway functionality allows the system to 

handle messages from other 

ATIS/VOLMET (Schneider Electric or 3rd 

Party) into the SITA/ARINC network 

● AFTN and GTS interfaces 

● Complete interchange of AMHS messages 

with Aeronautical Messaging Systems 


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MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET Features 

Dual Redundant Audio Systems 

● Can be configured independent of the 

servers and broadcast location, to increase 

redundancy and reliability 

● A streaming audio output directly to a VoIP 

radio transmitter eliminates the need for 

amplifiers and increases the quality and 

availability of audio outputs 


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MetConsole® ATIS/VOLMET Benefits 

Increase Efficiency 

● MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET provides a 

fully automated continuous voice and data 

flow to the aircraft 

● Reduces the workload on the VHF airground 

communication channels and 

allows fully unattended operations 

Improves Safety and Reliability 

● Provides a fully redundant failsafe 

architecture that ensures system 

availability 

● Improving coherence of generated 

messages and consistency of information, 

reducing errors that might be introduced 

through human intervention 

● Password-protected system access 


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MetConsole ® ATIS/VOLMET Benefits 

Well-Established Solution 

● Schneider Electric's MetConsole ® 

ATIS/VOLMET systems have been proven 

in continuous operation for more than 14 

years 


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MxVision AviationSentry ® 

●MxVision AviationSentry® Global is a FAA QICP certified global 

weather displays, forecasts, and alerting service designed specifically 

for the aviation industry. 

●Depending on the final user there are different editions: 

● Airport Edition, Helicopter Edition, Airline Edition, Corporate Flight Edition, 

FBO Edition. 


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MxVision AviationSentry ® . Features 

● Location-specific, customisable alerts 

● Real-time lightning display and detection 

● Available via PC, smart phone, or tablet device 

● Ability to submit questions online to an experienced meteorologist, any 

time of the day or night 

● Real-time weather conditions, plus daily forecasts for the next 15 days 

and hourly forecasts for the immediate 36 hours 

● Flight planning tools, such as Airport Brief®, Route Brief and a flight-risk 

checklist 

● Low-level wind forecasts for 1,000 feet (305 m); 3,000 feet (914 m); and 

5,000 feet (1,524 m) (helicopter edition) 

● Key aviation graphics, such as icing, turbulence, and thunderstorm activity 

(airline and Corporate Flight editions) 

● Runway forecasts (airport edition) 

● Critical flight information, such as TFRs, METARs, PIREPs, NOTAMs, and 

TAFs 

● Available worldwide, Interface in multiple languages 


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MxVision AviationSentry ® Airport Ed. 

●Weather is a major factor in the efficiency and safety of an airport 

● Inclement weather reduces volumes and generates delays 

●Low clouds, low visibility and high winds restrict airport traffic 

●Dangerous lightning near the airfield affects passenger and crew safety 

●Snow and ice accumulation on the runway can close an airport 

● Labor, fuel and chemical associated with the factors above are costly and 

impact the environment 

●The benefits of Schneider Electric weather intelligence 

● Efficient movement of people and goods through the airport 

● Improved traveler safety and satisfaction 

● Reduced fuel, labor and chemical costs 

● Reduced environmental impact 


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Weather & Airports 

Weather Information 

Radar & 

Satellite 

Lightning 

Model Data 

Atmosphere - AWOS 

Air 

Temperature 

Wind Speed 

and Direction 

Ceilings and 

Visibility 

Decision Support Analytics 

Airport Observation Systems 

Data 

Management 

WeatherSentry 

Real-time 

Observations 

Runway 

Temperature 

Runway 

Condition 

Chemical 

Percentage 

Runway Surface - RWIS 

Weather 

Alerts 

Airport 

Forecasts 

Weather Intelligence 

Online Email Text 


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●Airport weather intelligence fuels the aviation industry 

●Optimized efficiency with observations 

● Current and forecast airport conditions 

●Increased safety with lightning 

● Lightning observation and alerts 

●Minimized costs with runway forecasts 

● Crew scheduling and maintenance 


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Why rely on 

Schneider Electric

Why rely on Schneider Electric 

●Experience 

●Flexibility 

●Reliability 

●Efficiency 

●Ingenuity 

We provide “Weather Intelligence” that helps you to make 

the most of your Infrastructures. 


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Thank you 

Carlos Marban 

Weather Systems Product Manager 

carlos.marban@telvent.com 


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Smart Weather Solutions - Schneider Electric

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