Schneider Electric has launched its Energy Innovation Center in Houston. The opening coincides with Schneider Electric’s strategic partnership at S&P Global's CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.
The opening of this 10,500-sq-ft facility is the latest milestone in Schneider Electric’s continued investments in the United States and part of Schneider Electric’s previously announced incremental capacity investment of more than $2 billion for the period from 2024 to 2027 to support customers with growing digitalization, automation, and manufacturing demand.
Strategically situated in Houston’s energy corridor, the Innovation Center is designed to foster increased collaboration and technological advancements across the entire value chain. It complements Schneider’s existing innovation hubs in Paris, Singapore and Bangalore.
Showcasing Scheider’s comprehensive portfolio, it will serve as a training center for process controls engineers, production superintendents, manufacturing managers, technical leads and plant operations personnel who can see firsthand how systems are engineered and utilized. An interactive control room will demonstrate Schneider’s key products in real-world plant simulations across various scenarios, including a refinery, combined cycle power plant, ethylene plant, recovery boiler and chemical reactor.
The site’s capabilities will be continuously advanced through the integration of research and development from all Schneider business units relevant to the energy space, and the addition of artificial-intelligence applications to highlight the future of industrial automation. The facility also is designed to play a pivotal role in equipping the next-generation workforce with the training and technology required to meet the demands of the future.
"Digitalization is significantly enhancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. through continuous innovation and increased investment into next-generation technology," said Aamir Paul, Schneider Electric’s president of North America operations. "This flagship facility in the energy capital of the world underscores our commitment to driving the future of software-defined automation for our customers in Houston and beyond. With this announcement, we are excited to continue supporting the nation’s ambitions around competitive, efficient and cost-effective manufacturing."
Schneider Electric has had a presence in the United States for more than 135 years. The company employs more than 21,000 employees in the country and partners with approximately 40% of Fortune 500 companies. Texas employes more than 4,100 Schneider Electric employees, more than any other state, and includes facilities in El Paso and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
