Better energy intelligence through new capabilities in software

Mike Pantaleano, business manager, Information Software, Rockwell Automation, says: "Beyond monthly utility bills, many companies lack insight into their consumption data for WAGES (water, air, gas, electricity and steam)."

Manufacturing plants consume more than one-third of the global energy used annually. Unfortunately, many companies do not have information on the day-to-day energy consumption within their plants. Pantaleano says: "In order to identify opportunities for improvement, manufacturers need usage data from all areas of the facility to set baselines and better track variations for their entire operation - whether a single plant or a global production infrastructure. Energy intelligence strategies leveraging FactoryTalk software enable companies to report and visualise their consumption in a way that can reduce the time and effort associated with regulatory compliance, cut operating costs and maximise profit."

FactoryTalk VantagePoint Energy Bundle

The FactoryTalk VantagePoint Energy bundle, which includes FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI software plus energy-specific models, charts, trends, dashboards and analysis tools, provides access to more energy data. For current FactoryTalk VantagePoint users, an energy add-on can be purchased separately. With this application, users can aggregate metered energy-consumption data with production assets throughout the organisation to start monitoring energy utilisation.

Once energy utilisation is better understood, users can explore behavioural changes to improve energy efficiency and reduce cost. Energy information from the asset level can be correlated with data from third-party control, process and business systems into one application, to not only improve energy efficiency but also overall production efficiency and revenue.

Plant managers and business leaders can easily access energy data, such as historical energy-cost trends or energy costs over time for a specific machine, line, plant or the entire enterprise via a web browser.

FactoryTalk VantagePoint software users can now add energy intelligence to their manufacturing intelligence strategy, to access the data necessary to optimise energy consumption, correlate energy usage, determine cost to production, negotiate energy rates, and improve efficiency.

FactoryTalk EnergyMetrix Software

FactoryTalk EnergyMetrix software collects, records and stores energy data from Allen-Bradley or third-party power meters. The software can also capture information on energy usage, flow, temperature, and pressure from controllers, third-party devices or manual entries. With FactoryTalk EnergyMetrix software, users can set parameters that create alarms, and send human-machine interface and email alerts when energy-usage levels reach a user-specified level. This function can be crucial for manufacturers that receive energy bills based on peak kilowatt demand per day.

FactoryTalk EnergyMetrix software also trends historical data dynamically or within custom reports and charts. The application can compare alternative rate schedules to analyse potential cost savings, create energy budgets and forecasts, and track progress toward energy-saving goals against live data. Power-quality analysis capabilities allow users to better understand power quality and how it is affecting a specific line or facility.

IntelliCENTER Energy Software

A new option is now available for IntelliCENTER software - IntelliCENTER Energy. IntelliCENTER Energy software offers a preconfigured setup of FactoryTalk EnergyMetrix software for intelligent motor control devices in the motor control centre, including variable speed drives, overload relays, and SMC controllers. Users can view real-time energy consumption and historical trending at the device level directly from IntelliCENTER software. With IntelliCENTER Energy software, it becomes easier to monitor and manage energy usage in the industrial facility for substantial cost savings, and allows for easy integration of motor control centres into plant-wide energy management systems.

For more information about the FactoryTalk VantagePoint Energy bundle, FactoryTalk EnergyMetrix software, and Allen-Bradley IntelliCENTER Energy software from Rockwell, visit their website at www.ra.rockwell.com.