Energy efficiency is the next step in manufacturing optimization

Rising electricity costs and stricter regulations are driving manufacturers to use automation technologies not only to minimize downtime and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) but also to optimize energy consumption, Automation World reported.

 

For controls engineers in machinery building, this shift is crucial as it involves integrating new technologies like intelligent sensors, advanced analytics and cloud-based systems into industrial processes. These technologies help in monitoring energy usage, reducing idle equipment's power consumption and ultimately lowering overall operational costs while meeting sustainability goals.

 

Specific applications, such as those implemented by Emerson in their Sissach, Switzerland plant, illustrate how deploying sensors and utilizing cloud platforms can lead to significant energy savings and reduced CO₂ emissions.

 

By leveraging these emerging technologies, engineers can design systems that are not only efficient but also adaptable to the dynamic energy market, positioning their machinery to meet both current and future demands.

 

Automation World, a partner publication of Control Design, explores automation energy efficiency further in this article.