n TALKING INDUSTRY The drive to higher efficiency The latest in the Talking Industry series of Webinars considered the role that manufacturers can play in decarbonisation and cutting energy consumption. Andy Pye, who chaired the event, summarises a discussion which took many turns. Talking Industry 56 April 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com Can manufacturers play a part in the global decarbonisation effort at the same time as saving money on energy consumption? What steps are involved in achieving these goals? These were some of the issues debated in the latest Talking Industry online Webinar. Nikesh Mistry, head of the industrial automation sector at the Gambica trade association, set the scene by explaining that many of his organisation’s 240 members sell products such as variable-speed drives, softstarters, condition-monitoring apparatus and preventative maintenance equipment which, if implemented appropriately, can help industry on its decarbonisation journey. Gambica has created a Cross-Sectoral Sustainability Group to encourage and assist its members to measure their own environmental impact and to implement best practice. The Group is currently surveying members with the aim of creating a spreadsheet of more than a dozen parameters, including energy costs, through which members will log their carbon emissions. The intention is to compare the results to industry benchmarks, and try to ensure that all member companies are at least reaching the industry average. Although the data is not yet available, Mistry reported: “What we are seeing is a big push in SMEs to achieve cost savings through energy savings.” To optimise energy efficiency and achieve net-zero, decisions must be driven by data and smart technologies must be implemented, argued David Pownall. “Cutting-edge technology on its own is not enough to solve the challenges. Instead, it requires a combination of data-driven insights, innovative applications, digital services and consultative partnerships.” Alan Baird focused on some of the key technologies, including some which have been available for many years. With the help of experts, he said, significant improvements can be made to CO2 reductions, energy consumption and energy costs. Not only does this achieve decarbonisation targets, but it provides a financial benefit as well. “The greenest energy is energy we do not use,” Baird pointed out. “Traditionally, we calculated return on investment based on [energy costing] 10p/kWh. Now it is seven or eight times that – a frightening prospect for people who are running businesses. But at least implementing new technologies becomes really attractive.” He cited the many products available now to help reduce a company’s carbon footprint – VSDs, high-efficiency motors, valves, condensers, heat recovery units and heat exchangers. “Add micro-grids, batteries, energy storage, renewables, and we can make a huge difference, just by making customers aware of the possibilities.” As often happens in Talking Industry, the unscripted discussion can take many turns, and, on this occasion, one of them was the role of skills and training. What is the link between the two? “With Industry 4.0, Electricity 4.0, the digital explosion, the energy crisis, there has never been a more exciting time and more opportunity than engineering and manufacturing offers today – certainly not in my working lifetime,”said David Pownall. “With a skills crisis, exacerbated by people retiring during the Covid pandemic, it is a great time for people of all ages, not just young people, to consider a career in engineering.” Baird agreed: “The move to energy-efficient technologies is making engineering even more interesting, not only for younger people coming out of college or university or school to get an apprenticeship, but also for older people that may be transitioning from different sectors or different industries.” “The younger generations are genuinely passionate to save the environment,” Mistry pointed out. “They don’t want to do it for the cost saving, but for saving the environment and the planet.” Towards the end of the session, the discussion turned to whether responsibility for meeting environmental targets is too important to be left to politicians. Baird pointed out that we are in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and asked the audience to reflect on what role politicians had played in the first three! But Mistry emphasised the importance of continuing to work with, and lobby, politicians to take the right steps for industry and the planet. n Now available as a podcast If you missed this Talking Industry Webinar, there are various ways to catch up. It available as an on-demand video on YouTube (via https://www.youtube.com/@talkingindustry3649), and now also as a podcast (via https://talkingindustry.podbean.com). The online panel On the panel for this Webinar were: • Alan Baird, Country Manager for UK & Ireland, Danfoss Drives • David Pownall, Vice-President of Services, UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric • Nikesh Mistry, Sector Head for Industrial Automation, Gambica • Andy Pye, Webinar Chair and Consultant Editor, DFA Media
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=