How is Univers positioning itself uniquely in the decarbonization journey?
Sustainability is a pressing challenge globally, and Univers has positioned itself to address this through its concept of D4D—Digitalization for Decarbonization. Unlike many other digital companies, which offer a broad range of products, our focus is purely on solutions that contribute directly to the decarbonization journey. We provide digital products and services that enable industries to optimize their operations toward decarbonization. This sets us apart from hardware companies, such as those providing wind turbines or EV charging equipment, who contribute to the green transition through physical means. Univers emphasizes digital solutions to lead this transition, offering a distinctive position in the market.
We’re proud to be a global leader in this area, supporting over 900 customers worldwide on their decarbonization journey. Our solutions aim to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable world by helping organizations manage and reduce their carbon emissions. This focus on digital solutions alone for decarbonization allows us to differentiate from other players in the sustainability landscape, creating a clear niche for Univers in this evolving space.
Can you elaborate on how Univers supports various industries, particularly renewable energy and electric mobility?
Decarbonization has grown beyond the energy sector; it is now a cross-industry challenge. However, energy remains one of our strongest focuses, particularly in renewable sectors where Univers provides digital solutions to monitor, control, and optimize renewable energy assets. Through advanced analytics and optimization software, we help companies improve their operational efficiency and produce more green energy for the industry and the wider energy market. Additionally, we support oil and gas companies transitioning toward renewable energy sources like solar and wind, including energy storage solutions.
Beyond energy, we’re witnessing decarbonization efforts expand into sectors like consumer goods and finance. For example, we’ve assisted global consumer brands in decarbonizing their operations, including transforming a well-known coffee chain’s outlet into a 100% green facility. In the financial sector, institutions are using our digital solutions to implement sustainable operations, such as turning retail outlets carbon-neutral. Furthermore, financial institutions are leveraging our technology to drive their green financing initiatives, ensuring that both their operations and the customers they serve align with sustainability goals.
How do Univers' innovations improve the safety and reliability of renewable energy assets?
In our practice, we combine three key technologies: IT, operational technology (OT), and energy technology. By integrating these, we can significantly improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of renewable energy assets. For example, in wind farms, we leverage IoT technology to gather data from turbines and other assets, which we then analyze using cloud-based computing and machine learning models. These insights allow us to anticipate potential issues before they become critical, improving the operational safety and efficiency of renewable energy installations, particularly in remote or offshore areas where maintenance is challenging.
This approach also extends to the grid.
As renewable energy generation grows, the grid must become more flexible to handle the fluctuating nature of energy supply from sources like wind and solar.
By implementing digital grid tools, we help grid operators manage the increased variability in energy production, ensuring the stability and resilience of the grid. This is crucial for countries transitioning from traditional power generation to renewable energy, where maintaining grid stability is vital for long-term sustainability.
Is the efficiency of renewable energy becoming a priority in the green transition?
Efficiency has indeed become a central focus in the green transition. Initially, the priority was building new renewable energy assets, but now the conversation has shifted toward maximizing the power generated from these assets. This requires improving both the operational efficiency of renewable energy installations and the overall efficiency of linking energy supply to demand.
To achieve this, data management is key. For example, we analyze large datasets that include weather forecasts, operational data from turbines, and more, allowing us to optimize energy generation. On the demand side, we’re also helping industries and microgrids optimize their consumption, ensuring that the renewable energy generated is utilized effectively. By focusing on both the supply and demand sides, we can improve the overall efficiency of the energy system, ensuring that every unit of renewable energy is put to optimal use.
How does Univers view Europe’s energy challenges, and what are your observations from the APAC region?
From what we have observed, Europe faces significant challenges in balancing renewable energy with grid stability. In Asia-Pacific (APAC), the region is pushing forward aggressively on the decarbonization front, though each country faces its own unique challenges. For instance, China is working to make its grid more flexible to accommodate renewable energy, while India is attracting substantial green investment but struggles with grid infrastructure that is fragmented across different states.
In other APAC countries like Singapore, there’s a growing demand for renewable energy as industries seek to decarbonize to avoid carbon taxes when exporting to markets like Europe. However, renewable supply can be limited, so countries are looking at alternative strategies, such as importing green energy. Despite the challenges, I’m optimistic about the region’s decarbonization journey. Governments and the private sector are working closely together, and the overall trend is positive, with serious commitments to sustainability across the board.
