Water & Wastewater Asia March/April 2024

IN CONVERSATION WITH
Companies
undertaking digital
transformation
gain a competitive
edge as they can
improve efficiency
in their water and
wastewater plants
and optimise the
use of this scarce
but critical resource.
Shanmugavel Subramaniam
Water and wastewater segment leader, East Asia,
Schneider Electric
Therefore, digitisation provides an avenue
for water companies to not only optimise
the use of water, but also grants the
ability to reduce carbon emissions. Water
companies should note that sustainability
and profitability are not necessarily at
odds. Through innovative solutions such
as digital technologies, synergies between
both imperatives can be explored and
prioritised.
MARKET OUTLOOK IN 2024
What is the best approach to accelerate
climate change adaptation in East Asia
and globally? Overall, how should the
water industry in East Asia move forward
in 2024 to accelerate sustainability?
Subramaniam: Undertaking
comprehensive industrial digital
transformation is the most effective
approach to accelerate climate change
adaptation in water utilities in East Asia
and globally. Embracing tools like IoT,
AI, smart meters, and cloud solutions
should extend beyond mere technology
adoption. Companies need to focus on
enterprise-wide projects that integrate IT
and operational technology (OT) systems,
enhance customer-centricity while unifying
their operations, as well as optimise the
manpower resources, internal processes
and operations.
Partnering with trusted digital transformation
advisors such as Schneider Electric is key.
For instance, Schneider Electric’s Industrial
Digital Transformation (IDT) consulting
and deployment team helps companies
drive end-to-end transformation in areas
including operational performance, asset
management, energy management
and sustainability, cybersecurity, and
governance and change management.
Crucially, digital transformation experts
can also help companies secure workers’
buy-in to create a ‘shop floor to top floor’
collaboration environment. A successful
digitisation strategy acknowledges its
impact on workers, recognising that digital
transformation involves both technology
and cultural shifts. Industrial automation
experts such as Schneider Electric can help
balance corporate vision and orchestration,
with local stakes and deployment.
East Asia’s population growth, coupled
with water scarcity challenges, mandates
the adoption of disruptive technologies
and systems to address water scarcity and
growing water demand. By undertaking
digital solutioning that balances corporate
vision with localised needs, we can enhance
our ability to combat climate change,
ensure sustainable water management, and
fortify against the escalating challenges
posed by natural disasters and water
scarcity. The global market for digital water
solutions is slated to expand by 23.5%
annually until 2025. Schneider Electric is
proud to be at the forefront of this digital
evolution.
What advancements in the water and
wastewater market are you most excited
for?
Subramaniam: The water and wastewater
management industry continues to witness
advancements in intelligent solutions. We
foresee more integration of technologies,
such as data analytics and automation to
optimise the entire water cycle.
With advanced analytics, for example,
real-time data from sensors and devices
can be processed, facilitating predictive
maintenance and proactive issue
resolution. The streamlining of water
treatment processes through automated
control systems can also ensure precise
management of water quality, quantity,
and distribution, ultimately improving
operational efficiency.
Digital twin technologies stand out
as something to look out for this year.
These digital replicas of physical
water infrastructure provide a dynamic
representation of real-world systems
and infrastructure. They incorporate
both static and dynamic data, enabling
actionable insights. The integration
of digital twins into water utilities will
allow for an understanding of the
entire water infrastructure, facilitating
agile management of operations and
organisational success at a global or
regional level. As the technology evolves,
the integration of digital twins with
advanced analytics and automation is
poised to revolutionise how water and
wastewater systems are monitored,
managed, and optimised for sustainable
and efficient operations.
Shanmugavel Subramaniam
Water and wastewater segment leader,
East Asia, Schneider Electric
16 Water & Wastewater Asia | March-April 2024