January 29, 2008
Yamatake Corporation (azbil) launches Utility Optimization (U-OPT) system software, a proven solution that has reduced by 4~7% CO2 emissions from production and utility equipment at Toyota's Tahara Plant
TOKYO, January 29, 2008 - Yamatake Corporation has announced that its new Utility Optimization (U-OPT) software package for reducing energy consumption in factories will officially go on sale in February.
For any industrial enterprise aiming to achieve energy savings, the first step is to introduce an EMS (Energy Management System). However, this alone will not directly reduce energy consumption; what is important is how to make effective use of the data acquired by the EMS, linking this to improvements in the ways energy is used. Many companies find themselves facing such application issues: they have installed an EMS and are gathering energy data, but since they have been unable to make full use of it, little progress is being made as regards energy conservation.
In May 2007 Yamatake launched EneScope, an EMS that makes it possible to see exactly how energy is being used in a factory or plant; it also facilitates management of historical data. Yamatake thus supports a customer’s continuous efforts to manage energy and reduce CO2 emissions. Managers anticipate significant reductions in energy consumption when they install large-scale plant utility equipment, and it becomes possible to implement further energy savings by combining EneScope with the new U-OPT software. This optimum control solution offers plant managers a tool for evaluating energy-saving strategies that are both detailed and quantitative.
The U-OPT system uses a mathematical model based on the installed plant utility equipment, allowing it to make load predictions for as much as 24 hours in advance with high accuracy. To do this it acquires from the EMS database information on energy loads based on historical results and outdoor air conditions; it also takes into account weather updates provided by a meteorological information service company. To satisfy the expected thermal energy demand predicted using the simulation model, the system then formulates optimum operation plans based on the different energy efficiencies and capacities of all the utility equipment on site. Two modes are employed for this: one minimizes CO2 emissions, while the other minimizes energy consumption. These plans are then used either to implement automated utility operation or to provide guidance to human operators.
Mathematical modeling also makes it possible to explore possible operational improvements (such as changing preset values or revising operating manuals) as well as comparing different methods for utility control (such as regulating the amount of cold water). This can all be performed though desktop simulation. It is also possible to assess the effect of introducing chillers and heat storage tanks. Employing such precise simulations, managers can realize energy savings through automated, optimized operation of plant utility equipment.
Last year this U-OPT system was installed together with EneScope at Toyota’s Tahara Plant. The resulting optimization has contributed to reducing operators’ workload through the automated startup/shutdown of plant utility equipment and, according to calculations for the peak load season of summer, it has achieved a 4~7% cut in CO2 emissions.
Yamatake forecasts that sales of energy-saving solutions based on this system will reach 3 billion yen in 3 years.
In the years ahead, Yamatake will continue to supply energy-saving solutions based on the Group philosophy of human-centered automation in order to contribute to the global environment.
