In order to fulfil the climate targets, not only the increased expansion of renewable energies plays a role, but also the increase in efficiency in the use of raw materials and energy. According to a press release from the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI), potential energy savings of up to 40% are forecast in the process industry alone.
"We can achieve at least half of the required efficiency gains through comprehensive electrification, digitalisation, automation and, above all, modularisation," says Felix Seibl, Managing Director of the ZVEI's Measurement Technology and Process Automation division. The potential offered by the process industry must be utilised and existing solutions implemented. "At present, we have only set about 10 % of the energy efficiency levers in motion. A further 40% is possible in the longer term."
Digital twin makes it possible to realise the potential
The digital twin makes this possible in concrete terms. For example, a training simulator can be used to commission a large-scale system much more quickly. "The digital twin can be used to simulate operating scenarios and precisely assess safety and efficiency. This can save large amounts of energy and raw materials during commissioning phases," continues Seibl.
Previously unused waste heat from production processes is also to be better utilised in the future. The waste heat is concentrated at suitable points in the plant so that it can then be used again for heating processes or to heat buildings, for example.
Further concrete contributions of process automation to increasing sustainability are published in the joint brochure "Sustainability through process automation" by ZVEI and Namur.
