AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, and Heriot-Watt University have announced a new collaboration aimed at exploring how digital technologies can accelerate the development of smarter, lower-carbon infrastructure across the energy and transport sectors. The partnership follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Heriot-Watt University and Schneider Electric UK, acting on behalf of AVEVA Solutions Limited, in early June.
Under the agreement, the three organisations will focus on opportunities spanning digital energy systems, smart infrastructure, digital twins, transport decarbonisation and sustainable campus operations. The collaboration will also support closer engagement between industry and academia, including potential student projects, internships, research activity and future funding opportunities.
The partnership will draw on Heriot-Watt’s expertise through its Global Research Institute iNetZ+, including work connected to digital energy systems and transport decarbonisation, combined with Schneider Electric’s energy management and automation capabilities and AVEVA’s industrial software and digital twin expertise. Planned activity includes digital twin-based optimisation, data-driven decarbonisation, and smart energy and transport solutions, supported by simulation tools and industrial automation technologies within research and demonstration environments.
The collaboration builds on existing work between Heriot-Watt and AVEVA, including research into how digital twin technology can support real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, forecasting and operational optimisation for electrolysis systems — an area of growing interest as policymakers and industry look to flexible electrolyser operations to support renewable energy integration and the development of low-carbon hydrogen.
Lisa Wee, Chief Strategy Officer at AVEVA, said achieving net zero across energy, industry and transport will depend on closer collaboration between policymakers, academia and industry. She said harnessing industrial intelligence, alongside simulation and digital twin technology to model complex organisational systems, can help leaders make better decisions and accelerate practical decarbonisation. She described the collaboration as an opportunity to connect policy ambition, academic research and industrial expertise in support of smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.
David Pownall, VP, Power Systems UK&I at Schneider Electric, said the transition to cleaner energy systems demands infrastructure that is not just more sustainable, but also more flexible, efficient and resilient. He said combining Schneider Electric’s expertise in energy management and automation with AVEVA’s industrial software capabilities and Heriot-Watt’s research strength creates a strong foundation for exploring 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 the university has a long-standing commitment to working with industry to turn research into practical solutions for society. She said that through iNetZ+ and its wider work in energy and transport decarbonisation, Heriot-Watt is 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 spanning research, innovation, skills and applied technology.
