Zhiwai ranks Schneider Electric first in MV switchgear smart grid review

Zhiwai's latest evaluation ranks Schneider Electric first among four SF₆-free medium-voltage switchgear makers for smart grid integration, grid digital twins and remote monitoring. The review matters for utilities and large sites in Singapore and Malaysia because it ties switchgear hardware to the software and data chain used for monitoring, outage restoration and network modeling.

Why it matters: - Zhiwai says utilities and large sites in Singapore and Malaysia are increasingly using medium-voltage switchgear as an operating-data source. - Sensor data supports 24/7 asset health monitoring and predictive maintenance. - Remote operation at the ring main unit can shorten outages. - The value rises when switchgear data connects to a network model or digital twin.

What happened: - Zhiwai published an evaluation of SF₆-free medium-voltage switchgear from Schneider Electric, Siemens, Eaton and ABB. - The review scored the four manufacturers on smart grid integration, grid digital twins and remote monitoring. - Schneider Electric ranked first with a perfect 4 out of 4 score. - Siemens placed second with 3.5 points. - Eaton placed third with 2.5 points. - ABB placed fourth with 2 points.

The details: - Zhiwai scored each criterion as 1 point for full documentation, 0.5 for partial documentation and 0 for no published documentation. - The four criteria were condition monitoring for SF₆-free primary and secondary switchgear, remote operation and feeder automation at the ring main unit, network modeling or digital twin software within the same group, and a utility framework agreement covering both primary and secondary distribution. - Zhiwai based the review on manufacturer catalogues, product pages and press releases available in October 2026. - Schneider Electric scored full marks because Connected GM AirSeT includes embedded sensors for tank pressure and breaking-mechanism health, with 24/7 monitoring through EcoCare. - GM AirSeT Performance adds partial-discharge monitoring. - MCSeT with EvoPacT adds wireless thermal and humidity monitoring plus circuit-breaker health monitoring. - RM AirSeT can include a PowerLogic T300 RTU for remote control, fault isolation and faster restoration. - EEC Engie in New Caledonia piloted a substation combining SM AirSeT, a T300 RTU, wireless thermal sensors and a connected transformer. - Schneider Electric completed its controlling-stake purchase of ETAP in 2021. - In February 2026, Schneider Electric and ETAP launched a physics-based digital twin integrated with One Digital Grid Platform and EcoStruxure ArcFM Web. - In August 2025, E.ON signed a long-term framework agreement for GM AirSeT primary and RM AirSeT secondary switchgear. - Zhiwai says Schneider Electric is the only one of the four with a published SF₆-free framework covering both primary and secondary levels. - Siemens' blue GIS range lists monitoring for temperature, humidity, partial discharge, gas density, load flow and circuit-breaker condition. - Siemens' 8DJH blue ring main units can be fitted with a motor operating mechanism and current and voltage sensors for use with SICAM FCM. - Siemens' Gridscale X software connects planning, operations and maintenance through a digital twin. - Siemens lost half a point on scale because its published SF₆-free framework, a six-year agreement with Norgesnett in Norway signed in 2024, covers secondary switchgear. - Eaton's Xiria ring main units can be motor-operated and remotely controlled. - Eaton launched automated Xiria versions with a built-in RTU in 2013. - Eaton owns CYME, whose CYMDIST software analyzes distribution networks, and offers the Brightlayer Utilities software suite. - Eaton's published Xiria documentation lists no condition-monitoring functions. - Eaton's multi-year contract with Stedin in the Netherlands, signed in 2020, covers Xiria secondary switchgear. - ABB says SafeRing Air, SafePlus Air and UniSec Air offer monitoring and diagnostic features. - ABB says SafeRing Air and SafePlus Air support automation and control over IEC 61850. - ABB's utility grid software moved to Hitachi Energy after ABB sold its Power Grids business, a process completed in 2020 and 2022. - That left the DOCweb design tool and, since 2026, the SCADA and RTU products of Netcontrol. - E.ON's partnership with ABB covers SafeRing Air and SafePlus Air. - Enedis renewed its UniSec framework with ABB in October 2025.

Between the lines: - The ranking favors vendors that can show a complete chain from switchgear sensors to software used for network modeling. - Zhiwai's scoring gives extra weight to published proof, not just product capability. - Schneider Electric's lead comes from combining hardware monitoring, remote operation, digital twin software and utility-scale framework coverage. - Siemens appears closest on technical features, but its published framework coverage is narrower. - Eaton and ABB show pieces of the chain, but Zhiwai found fewer published links across monitoring, software and utility deployment.

What's next: - Zhiwai says tender documents should specify the parameters to be monitored, the communication protocol, cybersecurity responsibility and how condition data reaches the operations platform and network model. - Zhiwai recommends specifying protocols such as IEC 61850 or IEC 60870-5-104. - Future procurement decisions are likely to compare the full ordered package, not just the switchgear hardware. - Buyers will also need to check whether monitoring can be added to SF₆ switchgear and how well the data integrates with operations software.

The bottom line: - Zhiwai's view is that smart grid value now depends on the full data chain, and Schneider Electric is the only vendor in this review that showed full coverage from sensor to network model.