Reiche, Leif-Thore

The upcoming challenges in the process industry demand a high flexibility, shorter product development cycles as well as energy and resource efficient production. Especially, energy efficiency of process plants is of substantial importance with regard to the high energy consumption in the process industry. With the introduction of modules and modular plants, the industry tries to overcome these challenges. However, an energy efficient production requires the identification, analysis and utilization of energy potentials. In order to be able to identify energy efficiency potentials in production, the introduction of an energy management system according to ISO 50001 plays a significant role. This paper investigates the extent to which energy management is practiced in the context of modular production and whether there is a need for research. Additionally, a concept is presented how energy management could be implemented in the engineering and operation phases of modular plants.

Preface Our future is the world we are going to live in, attracting our fantasies, speculations, fears and hopes. We really would like to know something about it and want to be prepared. Therefore, we observe trends. An obvious trend is that our world gets more and more connected. Information is seamlessly following and doing this quickly. We learn that data can build business and influences people and society. AUTOMATION brings people together who are interested in the future of automation. Many of us already shape this feld in factory automation and process automation, we create methods and synergies, digital business models, we use artifcial intelligence and autonomous systems and latest communication technologies like 5G in automation. Let us learn together how existing businesses can be changed and new businesses can be created by a couple of enablers clearly at sight when you know how and why to look for them.