Towards integrated energy efficiency assessment of production machinery, auxiliary processes and technical building services

Reducing resource consumption has been a major aspect in the optimization of manufacturing systems in recent years. Yet, the assessment of energy efficiency potentials at the interfaces of machinery, auxiliary equipment and technical building services has attained insufficient attention, especially in planning methodologies for factory remodelling and expansion. Here we show the development of a methodological approach to assess energy saving potentials through an interconnection of different factory levels. In this context, on-site renewable energy production, energy storage and waste heat recovery can be identified as key-enabling strategies. Consequently, tools to evaluate potential fields for their application are presented. Applying the developed methodology and tools in first industrial use-cases revealed energy savings of 9 % and a possible reduction of installed heating capacities of 43 %. Our findings demonstrate that for an energy- and cost-efficient operation of existing factories in the future, planers and optimizers need to consider energy efficiency potentials at the interfaces of machinery, auxiliary processes and technical building services