The expedition's catamaran will be equipped with Schneider Electric products and solutions. Schneider Electric technical experts will contribute to the Low-Tech Lab, the collaborative research platform associated with the project.

Concarneau (France), February 8, 2016 - The Schneider Electric Foundation, under the aegis of the Fondation de France, has announced that it will act as patron of the Nomade des Mers (Nomad of the Seas) expedition to research and promote low technologies (low tech). The patronage was announced when the expedition's catamaran was christened on February 5, 2016, in Concarneau (France) in the presence of the boat's sponsors, Gilles Vermot Desroches, Sustainability Senior Vice President at Schneider Electric and General Delegate of the Schneider Electric Foundation, and Catherine Alvaresse, Deputy Director, Discovery and Knowledge Division at Arte.

The mission of the Nomade des Mers project, launched at the end of 2015, is to showcase useful, simple and accessible technologies that are also environmentally friendly: low technologies. The catamaran will spend three years travelling the globe testing independent technologies and developing the international low-tech stakeholder and user community. On board, low-tech devices will be put to the test, optimized and linked to others in order to assess synergies toward achieving a self-sustaining ecosystem. Data collection results will show the value, reliability and potential of low technologies under resource constraints.

'The Schneider Electric Foundation is delighted to act as patron of this project and support the Nomade des Mers expedition. One of our missions is to back major projects that have a profound effect on people and change the world. That was the case with the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica polar station and the 'Refuge du Goûter' hut on the Mont Blanc ascent path, and it is now the case with Nomade des Mers. The project will actively contribute to a greater understanding and knowledge of low technologies around the world', said Gilles Vermot Desroches.

The expedition will begin in Brittany and conclude in Indonesia. On the way, it will pass through Morocco, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Brazil, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India. Each port of call will explore a local theme and an inventor will be invited to test out his or her solution on board. Together with the Nomade des Mers team, they will seek out other inventors and inspiring projects, exchange views with experts and engage in cooperative learning. Events will also be held to provide a stage for local initiatives. Lastly, to attract skills and focus research on the expedition, Nomade des Mers will launch Low-Tech Lab, an online open-access collaborative research space. The solutions achieved through the research will be prototyped and submitted for approval by a jury of experts with the long-term ambition of creating a veritable 'library' of tutorial videos open to everyone (individuals, NGOs in the field and local entrepreneurs, etc.).

As a financial, technological and human patron of Nomade des Mers, the Schneider Electric Foundation will harness the skills and expertise of Schneider Electric employees for the expedition. At each stop, volunteers of the Schneider Electric Teachers association¹ will be able to take part in events, share their knowledge and pass along their skills. In addition, recognized technical experts who have been granted Schneider Electric's 'Edison' label will be invited to participate actively in Low-Tech Lab by collaborating on studies on selected technologies and sharing results from some of their research.

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¹ Association which supports and promotes voluntary commitment from current and retired Schneider Electric employees.

About the Schneider Electric Foundation
 Created in 1998, the Schneider Electric Foundation, under the aegis of the Foundation de France, has worked together with its partners to put in place solutions to respond to the energy issues of the world's most underprivileged people. In emerging economies, the Foundation supports professional training programs in energy related trades, thereby contributing to the Schneider Electric Access to Energy program. In mature economies, the Foundation fights against fuel poverty by offering training/awareness-raising programs for the households concerned. In all its programs, the Schneider Electric Foundation pays special attention to the involvement of the company's employees in all its actions.
www.foundation.schneider-electric.com

About Schneider Electric
 Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of €25 billion in FY2014, our 170,000 employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On.
www.schneider-electric.com

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Schneider Electric SE issued this content on 08 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 08 February 2016 17:19:08 UTC

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