Systematic energy management: A foundation for sustainable production

In the past few years energy management became increasing important. Not only the trend toward clean energy sources triggered a process of rethinking in the minds of society but also pushed the politics to create incentives for companies in order to make them reduce their carbon footprint. Efficient use of resources has become a fundamental part of present-day economic, social and political decision making. Energy efficient production is no longer considered just under ecological aspect. It is considered as an important part of business strategy. Through high energy taxes, enormous energy costs and continuously increasing energy prices manufacturing companies are under permanent stress. However, there is for companies in the field of energy management enormous potential to financially improve and save costs consequently. Standards have provided a guide line for the companies to move towards green production. However lack of know-how and appropriate software tools and absence of concepts and methods for green production hinders company's especially small and medium size enterprises to take the step towards green production. Systematic and strategic energy management is the key to transform a company from lean to green production. Because of the complexity of the tasks related to environment and energy management, the Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS) developed methods and concepts to implement a strategic energy management. Furthermore, a software is developed that enables companies to follow the ISO 50001 guidelines and implement energy management methods necessary for a green production. This paper provides a brief road map showing the path to an energy efficient production environment. Starting from the list of the main energy consuming applications in German industries, which were identified through a study carried out in 2015. Brief description of the energy management methods and concepts and illustration of the role of strategic energy management in transforming companies from lean to green production and finally a brief illustration of the software for the implementation of energy management especially in manufacturing companies.