Supply shortages across the world on the back of COVID-19, combined with a surging economic recovery in some regions, have resulted in extreme volatility in power and commodity markets. These, along with major shifts in climate patterns, has led to growing demands for the sustainability of the planet’s resources.
However, manufacturing by necessity uses energy and natural resources, and there was never a more important time for an integrated energy strategy. It must consider risk exposure (both physical and financial), resilience, and a long-term plan for commodities management.
Schneider Electric leading in Sustainability
Organisations like Schneider Electric are recognised as established sustainability leaders in the digital transformation of energy and automation. Throughout 2021 they have been running a series of innovation summits around the world. BPX recently joined Schneider Electric for an all-digital Innovation Summit for UK & Ireland on 24th November.
Accelerating the green industrial revolution
Improving industrial production and efficiency with advanced automation and robotics promises smarter operations and business outcomes to preserve the planet. For example, at one time changing, or adjusting a machine could take hours or even days.
Now, engineers have the opportunity to use plug and play apps, and in just a few clicks can automate operations using almost zero engineering. According to McKinsey, this has the potential to unlock additional revenue streams upwards of $70,000,000.
Industrial sustainability is achievable through the interplay of software, automation and energy optimisation for more resilient, agile and eco-efficient operations. Put together, the three elements of this sustainability triad deliver positive outcomes that are greater than the parts:
Resilience Strategies
- Automation unlocks production and sustainability by optimising processes, energy and resource use, and cutting operating costs. For example, automation that powers remote operations proved highly effective in overcoming recent pandemic challenges. Software-centric automation built on open standards can boost interoperability and digital collaboration. This allows industries to bring products to market sooner, increase competitiveness and turn IoT data into bottom-line value. Automation saves time and money whilst developing new skills.
- Software and digitisation can provide data-driven insights allowing industrial operations to run more efficient processes. Moreover, digital transparency and unified controls can unlock SMART scheduling and visualisation. Digital tools and software transform information by combining artificial intelligence, digital twins and human insight to unlock higher performance levels. Deeper analytics optimise assets while real-time data management ensures resilient industrial ecosystems and digitised traceability.
- Energy optimisation can propel industrial decarbonisation at scale. Also, increased electrification and other fuel-switching strategies, alongside the convergence of power and process energy, can rapidly reduce industrial waste. Recycling also promises to lower energy demand. SMART green and renewable electricity and storage are altering how we power machines and processes to tackle resource use across the industry.
According to Schneider Electric, nine out of ten industrial customers recognise that by adopting digital technologies and software, they can drive down CO2 output, transition to a more circular economy, and reassess their resource footprint.
By improving the sustainability of supply chains, assets and production cycles, industrial leaders can leverage data management and real-time decision-making. Furthermore, tomorrow’s industries will need to think digitally so that software and data can improve the visibility and management of power, fuel, water, raw materials, product quality, and equipment utilisation.
