Against the backdrop of net zero targets, energy instability, and an emerging green economy, it has never been more important to meet sustainable ambition with swift and decisive action. But it is challenging for any organization to accelerate its journey to sustainability without the support and dedication of its partners across the value chain. At ABB, we are committed to working with all of our partners, to lay the foundations for a digitalized, decarbonized economy.
To that end, we were excited to be the headline partner at the annual convention for the European Union of Electrical Wholesalers (EUEW) on June 15-16 in Rotterdam, which promotes the key role of electrical distributors in making the energy transition happen.
Bringing in over 240 participants from 100+ companies and 20 countries, the event, which was aptly themed ‘Energize Transition’, explored the advancements in technology and evolutions in mindset required to create a truly sustainable, circular economy and the hurdles we must overcome to get there.
The opening keynote, ‘Growing ourselves into deprivation’, came from one of the most radical architects in the Netherlands, Thomas Rau, whose company is known for building the first circular and positive energy buildings in Europe. He outlined the new business models that are required to build a circular economy, emphasizing the reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling of materials, and presented electrical wholesalers with a challenge: how can you work together with other stakeholders in the industry to collectively advance sustainable practices and accelerate the energy transition?
This then led to a panel discussion with ABB Electrification’s Smart Building Division Sustainability Lead Emmanuel Logakis as well as other industry experts. Building a circular economy is now unavoidable, according to Logakis, and has become an expectation in the marketplace. With new legislation to govern circularity under development, the value chain simply must adopt new practices, or businesses will not be able to continue to grow.
The second keynote speaker, Guillaume Texier, CEO of Rexel, which distributes electrical products and services for the energy world, then took up the mantle. After discussing the challenges faced by electrical wholesalers during the pandemic years, he put out a rallying cry to energy professionals to join forces to accelerate electrification in personal and professional spaces, infrastructure, buildings, and mobility. He finished by askingVincent Hurel, ABB’s Global Head of Distribution, to explain why collaboration between ABB and distributors is so important to drive and realize the energy transition.
To answer Rau’s challenge and Texier’s question, Hurel expounded the importance of combining innovation and technological know-how with collaboration and engagement to accelerate businesses’ journey to sustainability.
Technology
The first element in that equation is ABB’s commitment to pushing the boundaries in technology and innovation, something the company has been doing for the last 130 years. Only by trial and error and by leveraging the skills and expertise of its partners of all sizes ‒ from start-ups to global players ‒ can manufacturers develop the cutting-edge technologies needed to facilitate the energy transition.
One example of recent innovation is the ABB AbilityTM Building Analyzer, a cloud-based solution that provides real-time collection of buildings and utility data, deep analytics and data visualization in one easy-to-use interface. It helps proactively improve buildings’ energy usage and reduce costs and emissions by analyzing the performance of a building or portfolio of buildings.
ABB’s recent Energy Insights Report, which surveyed 2,300 business leaders, found that many companies, large and small, are putting cost-cutting ahead of climate action due to the current volatility in the energy market. However, by arming distributors with data-driven systems like the ABB Ability Building Analyzer, manufacturers can help their customers not just reduce costs, but also achieve their decarbonization goals. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive.
A circular approach
One of the biggest drivers for sustainability is the adoption of a circular approach. The concept of product-as-a-service and circularity will see a market shift from simply selling products to providing ongoing value and responsible end-of-life management. Holding manufacturers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products will be key and this is where take-back programs, already an important component of ABB’s circularity framework for products such as wiring accessories and emergency lighting, will come into their own.
Trusted relationships
Our trusted relationships with our partners also enable us to provide excellent service to our end customers. We are focused on empowering our valued distributors to ensure they can compete in a crowded marketplace by offering a far greater level of expertise to customers in relation to the energy transition.
This includes helping them to reinforce their expertise, not just on products, but on the shift to energy-efficient solutions and the drivers and benefits of a circular economy. Distributors should further invest in developing the skills and capabilities required to support the market shift, the increasing legislation and the challenges that must be overcome in order to make the transition.
It’s about working together to take responsibility for building a more sustainable future.
Walking the walk
Last, but not least, ABB is committed to walking the walk. Our Sustainability Strategy 2030 is built around our mission to enable a low-carbon society, preserve resources, promote social progress and act with integrity and transparency.
Through our Mission to Zero program, we demonstrate to our suppliers and distributors exactly what this looks like. ABB was recently recognized by the Financial Times in the rankings for Europe’s Climate Leaders 2023 for our efforts to reduce Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions. As part of this, a growing number of factories and facilities that are part of the Mission to Zero program are already on the path toward becoming carbon neutral. Any partner, supplier or distributor that wants to achieve the same can replicate our approach.
If we are to create a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future, it’s essential that we all collaborate to tackle the challenges the energy transition presents.
For the full article on this topic in EUEW Edit Magazine, follow this link. For more information on ABB Distribution Channel visit our webpage.
