Energy Management and Energy Optimization in the Process Industry

"Our environmental portfolio makes us the global No. 1 in green technologies." (Peter Löscher, President and CEO of Siemens AG) That is how Siemens asserts its claim of making a crucial contribution toward reducing the CO2 emissions and the energy consumption of its customers. What opportunities does this approach offer plant operators in the process industry? Which Siemens products and services can make a contribution toward recording, monitoring and minimizing the energy consumption of process engineering plants? How does the fact that Siemens is becoming a "green com-pany" benefit a plant operator in the process industry? In the light of rising energy costs, limited deposits of raw materials and global warming due to CO2 emissions, the efficient use of energy is continually gaining importance. Fig. 1-1: Symbol of climate change – water temperatures of the world's oceans The world's population is growing fast and, with it, the consumption of energy and resources. The consequence is a measurable change in climate. There is an immediate and urgent need for action in terms of reducing CO2 output. In order to prevent devastating climatic damage (global warming of more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels), man-made emissions must be reduced by at least 25 to 40% by the year 2020 (relative to the reference year 1990)[3.]. Due to dwindling oil resources, the maximum rate of oil extraction using conventional means may already have been passed[4.], which means that further rises in energy prices can only be expected. A further motive for saving energy arises from recent events in Japan: Energy saved means less energy generated by nuclear power, i.e. all measures for improving energy efficiency also make a contribution toward the desired "energy turnaround" in the direction of a regenerative energy economy. This development has led to a general change of attitude that is reflected as much in everyday life as in industrial production and which characterizes the approach for technical innovations. To take a few examples: • Cars: Whereas car advertisements previously highlighted engine power [PS] and maximum speed [km/h], key data such as fuel consumption [l/100 km ] and CO2 emissions [kg CO2/100 km] now play a significant role. A car in 1970 (VW Beetle) had a consumption of 12 l/100 km with a weight of just 750 kg. Today a mid-range car requires just half this fuel, despite being double the weight. Fig. 1-2: Energy-efficiency classes according to the EU energy …