Schneider Electric and Networks for Humanity (NFH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential applications for India’s emerging Digital Energy Grid (DEG). The partnership aims to examine how digital technologies can support greater connectivity across the country’s evolving energy ecosystem.
Under the collaboration, Schneider Electric will contribute its energy technology expertise, while NFH will bring its experience in open and interoperable digital networks. Together, the organisations will identify and evaluate pilot applications designed to connect energy assets, end users and other participants across the energy value chain.
“India’s energy transition will increasingly be defined not just by how much energy we generate, but by how intelligently we consume, manage and share it. As energy becomes more distributed, the ability to connect different parts of the ecosystem and enable greater flexibility will become increasingly important. This MoU brings together complementary capabilities to explore how open networks can support that shift and shape a more connected and responsive energy system,” said Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India, MD & CEO, Schneider Electric India.
India’s power system is entering a period of rapidly increasing and more complex demand, with peak demand expected to approach 300 GW in 2027. The growth is being driven by emerging loads including data centres, AI and electric vehicles, alongside the continued integration of renewable and distributed energy resources. This is increasing the need for a more flexible and digitally connected power system.
“Energy is becoming increasingly digital and distributed. The ability for different systems and participants to work together will be critical to unlocking this potential,” said Sujith Nair, Co-Founder, Networks for Humanity.
At the centre of the collaboration is the Digital Energy Grid, which seeks to create an open digital layer connecting participants across the energy ecosystem. It is designed to enable energy assets, consumers and other participants to interact through interoperable digital infrastructure. The vision is supported by the India Energy Stack, which aims to provide common digital infrastructure for energy applications and services.
Under the collaboration, Schneider Electric will contribute capabilities across digital grids, energy management, automation, distributed energy resources, building and home energy management, EV charging, microgrids and industrial load management. These technologies can connect energy assets and end users, enable energy intelligence and support the operation of demand-side programmes within an open digital energy ecosystem.
The collaboration will initially explore applications across utility energy intelligence, industrial and building demand flexibility, home energy management, EV fast-charging flexibility, and carbon footprint accounting and trading. The focus will be on demonstrating three core capabilities of an open digital energy ecosystem, including discoverability, trust and transactability between value creators and value takers.
The pilots will be used to assess technical and operational requirements, validate selected applications and identify opportunities for broader deployment, subject to pilot outcomes and subsequent agreements.
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