AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, and Heriot-Watt University have announced a new collaboration to explore how digital technologies can accelerate the development of smarter, lower-carbon infrastructure systems across energy and transport. The collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Heriot-Watt University and Schneider Electric UK, acting on behalf of AVEVA Solutions Limited, in early June.
The agreement will see the organisations focus on opportunities across digital energy systems, smart infrastructure, digital twins, transport decarbonisation and sustainable campus operations. It will also support engagement between industry and academia, including potential student projects, internships, research activity and future funding opportunities.
The collaboration will draw on Heriot-Watt’s expertise through its Global Research Institute iNetZ+, including work linked to digital energy systems and transport decarbonisation, alongside Schneider Electric’s energy management and automation capabilities and AVEVA’s industrial software and digital twin expertise.
The deployment will include digital twin-based optimisation, data-driven decarbonisation, and smart energy and transport solutions, supported by simulation tools and industrial automation technologies for research and demonstration environments.
The partnership builds on existing areas of collaboration between Heriot-Watt and AVEVA, including research into how digital twin technologies can support real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, forecasting and operational optimisation for electrolysis systems. This comes as policymakers and industry look to flexible electrolyser operations to support renewable energy integration and the development of low-carbon hydrogen.
Lisa Wee, CSO at AVEVA, said: “Achieving net zero across energy, industry and transport will depend on closer collaboration between policymakers, academia and industry. By harnessing the power of industrial intelligence, and using simulation and digital twins to model organisations with complex systems, leaders can equip their teams to make better decisions and accelerate practical decarbonisation. Through this collaboration, we have an opportunity to connect policy ambition, academic research and industrial expertise to support the development of smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.”
David Pownall, VP, Power Systems UK&I at Schneider Electric, said: “The transition to cleaner energy systems requires infrastructure that is not only more sustainable, but also more flexible, efficient and resilient. Combining Schneider Electric’s technological expertise in energy management and automation with AVEVA’s industrial software capabilities and Heriot-Watt’s research strengths creates a strong foundation. It enables the exploration of practical solutions to optimise energy use across complex environments – from campuses to transport and industrial systems.”
Professor Gabriela Medero, Associate Principal for Enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Heriot-Watt has a long-standing commitment to working with industry to turn research into practical solutions for society. Through iNetZ+ and our wider work in energy and transport decarbonisation, we are focused on helping partners understand and address the complex infrastructure challenges involved in the net zero transition.”
The MoU provides a framework for the three organisations to identify priority areas for collaboration and develop future initiatives across research, innovation, skills and applied technology.
