Energy efficiency in industry
26 May 2023
Energy efficiency for industry is about ensuring that the incoming energy is used in the most efficient and optimal way possible.
Energy efficiency for industry is about ensuring that the incoming energy is used in the most efficient and optimal way possible.
In order for energy optimization to be carried out, you need reliable data to analyse. Here, it is at least as much about measuring correctly and collecting data as it is about carrying out the analysis itself and coming up with proposals for action.
The proposed measures also need to be carefully grounded in an economic reality. The idea of the measures should primarily be to save money and of course also save the environment.
Identifies the most profitable investments
Energy optimization for industry must therefore lead to measures that reduce energy use. The measures can look very different. If we imagine that a measure involves calibrating the settings on a machine, it costs relatively little money, compared to if you had to rebuild a factory. If it turns out that both of these measures save about the same amount of energy, the choice is not that difficult.
It is these kinds of balances that an energy efficiency improvement in industry must produce. The payback period for some investments can be several years, but are still considered profitable. You have to weigh many different aspects, such as possible future tougher regulations, which can make it a financial risk to not implement the measure.
Energy efficiency in industry in reality
There are of course many different examples of how energy efficiency in industry can look like. By using smart systems can be analyzed and looked at, for example switchgear and sub-centres. You can see power coming in and how it is distributed out to the plant. The problem is many times that over the years you have lost track of the distribution and don't really know how much energy you extract from a substation. When you expand and add to the facility, you run the risk of losing voltage and running your machines at too low a voltage. When machines run on too low a voltage, they run the risk of breaking.
What happens if an operationally critical machine has an unplanned stop? It can cost hundreds of thousands of kroner an hour for a normal-sized industry. Thus, it can be said that there are positive spin-off effects from making an energy optimization. It is not enough to find the optimal energy use for the facility. You also reduce the risk of unplanned stops, due to the increased control you achieve.
SenseNode offers the energy efficiency of the future for industry
SenseNode is a modular and cloud-based system where meters are connected digitally and send data to the cloud. The system implements energy efficiency to the extent that action proposals are developed based on the collected data that is available. Advanced algorithms can perform calculations that only a few years ago required enormous resources. The companies that want to build the smart and connected factory has much to gain in systems like SenseNode.
Summary
Energy efficiency in industry is about saving money by reducing energy use. This must be done without having a negative impact on productivity. By analyzing data from facilities and machines, smart systems today can produce action proposals.
The action proposals are carefully considered and depending on the savings that can be made, you choose to implement these or to focus on one of the other proposals.
Ready to improve energy efficiency?
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