Welcome back to Electrifier, a series portraying the different corners of our Electrifier program, through the eyes of its participants. This week, we’re joined by Christophe, chief technical officer of medium voltage offers. Christophe’s steep expertise, both inside and outside of Schneider Electric, gives him a command over his field — and his 2006 book Protection of Electrical Networks has become an industry manual.
Christophe has been in Electrifier for decades. He shares some matured thoughts on the program, and how it creates a space for Schneider Electric’s leading experts to collaborate.
Hi there! Tell us a little more about your background.
Sure. So after graduating from the renowned École supérieure d’électricité in Paris in 1988, I started working for a small company focused on electronic boards and microprocessors. I then spent three years at an electrical utility, where I studied and operated networks.
My rising profile led me to the doors of Schneider Electric. I worked as an electrical expert in our Protection Relay and Automation department for three years — followed by another three years in Switchgear Activity. I took some time away from Schneider, spending six years at the French multinational AREVA, before rejoining in 2010. I’ve been here ever since!
What has stayed the same at Schneider Electric over the years?
For me, two things. Firstly, Schneider has always excelled at business, be it marketing, business channel access, or overall business strategy. This is the case now as it was back then.
Secondly, Schneider still emphasizes collaboration over hierarchy, which naturally creates a more open, functional environment. And we shouldn’t take this for granted. Spending time outside of Schneider gives me the power of comparison — I’ve seen how you can have two companies in the same country, but with radically different cultures.
How has the company changed since you rejoined?
Well, our business has grown significantly. In 2010, acquisitions gave us a presence in the medium voltage sector, but we weren’t leaders. We’ve since made considerable progress, particularly in SF6-free technology and the digital monitoring of switchgear. This has strengthened our market position.
Can you remind us why SF6-free technology is so important?
SF6 is a gas used for decades in electrical insulation and current interruption. It’s popular because, frankly, it’s so effective. But it’s also a significant greenhouse gas: around 24,000 times more potent than CO2, based on 100-year estimates.
So while the quantity of SF6 may seem small —20,000 tons in medium and high voltage applications — this translates to 500 megatons of CO2 equivalent, representing 1.5% of total global warming potential. For comparison, the airline industry contributes 4%.
We’ve had some proprietary breakthroughs in this area. Take our shunt vacuum interruption technology: a type of switch that safely interrupts the current in a circuit. Our approach here, best shown in our AirSeT range, isn’t just to replace SF6 — we also add digital monitoring and control for maximum efficiency. This helps decarbonize the grid.
Innovations like these lift us above the competition, and set the industry standard.
At what point in your career did you join Electrifier?
I first joined Electrifier back in 2003. At the time, I was Level 2. After returning to Schneider, I moved up to Level 3 — thanks to some standout SF6-free projects. Now, I’m on the jury that assesses whether experts graduate to the next level.
What have you seen to be the main benefit of the program?
Interconnection. For me and other experts I know, we live for technology and innovation. And in the context of a corporation like Schneider, we use innovation to create value for customers and the company. But for this, you need a strong and productive network. It’s impossible to be at the top level in every domain.
Of course, if you work at any company for decades, you organically build a network — but Electrifier adds a layer of razor-sharp experts. If I have an insulation issue in medium voltage or network protection, I’ll contact the Electrifier specializing in that field. That person could be on the other side of my building here in Grenoble, or the other side of the world in China.
In the end, innovation is a product of passion, knowledge, and collaboration. Electrifier was designed to strengthen these and fuse them together.
Why do you characterize the program as a ‘booster’?
Because it boosts your career by signifying that you sit in the top tier of expertise. Whether in the technical field or engineering, it’s a badge of recognition.
So what would you say to those considering sending us an application?
There are lots of good companies out there — I’ve worked for several. What Schneider Electric offers, however, is a strong culture of collaboration. We’re also at the forefront of digital technology, which spawns high-impact jobs in areas like industrialization, business, circular economy, and sustainability.
And there’s lots of cross-movement too. Say you start in a technical field, you may find doors opening to other functions like management, marketing, or business development, where your new team will be happy to leverage your technical background. Or, like me, you could remain in technical roles throughout your career, gaining expertise and recognition along the way.
The shift from carbon-based energy to electricity promises growth for the next 30 years at least. Working in a growing market means more career opportunities and development. And that’s to say nothing of the stunning advancements in AI, which Schneider Electric leverages at all levels. Simply put: if you’re looking for the frontier, you’ll find it here.
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