7. Climate protection and energy efficiency 7. Climate protection and energy efficiency 7.1. Energy efficiency Climate change is also a central challenge for manufacturers of automation technology. Typical automation components occupy a special position in the field of sustainability, as they are usually only used together with other components and thus influence the respective system in which they are installed. We consider the reduction of CO2 emissions at an early stage in the development of products. In 2020, a field of action was anchored in the corporate strategy for this purpose. An interdisciplinary team was tasked with ensuring the reduction of CO2 emissions in the products and their use by the customer through various activities. To implement an automation task, the machine builder generally has various pneumatic and electrical automation solutions at their disposal. The purchase of a solution and the decision to implement drive technology are directly linked to environmental effects in the utilisation phase. Basically, criteria such as dynamics, force, adjustability, load stiffness and above all profitability play an important role in the decision. In many cases, a sensible combination of both technologies can also be the optimal solution. Advice on energy efficiency To pass this knowledge on to the customer, we offer the following energy efficiency consulting services directly at our customers’ premises: • Workshops to raise awareness among employees. • Energy efficiency analyses of production plants. • Calculations of the total cost of ownership (TCO) to compare pneumatic and electric drive systems. New online tool for CO2 reduction: technology comparison between electric and pneumatic drive technology A brand-new addition to the portfolio is the TCO CO2 tool, with which we are providing our customers with a free online tool that transparently shows the parameters of the electric and pneumatic drives in order to give our customers information on CO2 emissions as early on as the product selection stage. The energy consumption of the drive components during use and the influence on the total cost of operation are shown. The optimal technology can be selected depending on the application. The customer enters only a few parameters of their application and the CO2 & TCO Guide generates and visualises cost- and energy-efficient suggestions from Festo’s portfolio of conventional drives. A pneumatic and electric actuator are each compared for each proposal, so that the customer can select the optimum product for their requirement. For each variant, the customer is shown the CO2 emissions per year, as well as the acquisition and TCO costs. Based on this information, our customers can decide which parameters they think are most important and which drive technology they should select. New website also on the topic of energy efficiency The new online tool can be found on our new website. The user- oriented design, intuitive operation and clear focus means that our customers should be able to find their way around better and be given a comprehensive overview of the topic of sustainability and energy efficiency. www.festo.com/energieeffizienz More energy efficiency through Festo AX AI-based software When using pneumatic components, the aim is to reduce compressed air consumption through efficiency technologies and thus lower the CO2 emissions indirectly associated with the electricity mix in use. Festo offers AI-based monitoring of machines and systems for this purpose. The Festo AX AI software solution comes into play here. Essentially, we always solve the same challenge for our clients: we continuously monitor machine data and analyse it with our AI model, which has learned the good condition of a component, process or machine. The AI algorithms then recognise deviations from the normal state and can also predict them. Just by analysing the data with Festo AX, users can increase productivity, avoid quality losses or optimise the energy consumption of a machine, process or component. ‘Predictive Energy’ not only saves energy costs, but also reduces CO2 emissions. Upgrade or replace In addition to deciding on the right drive technology, the intelligent use of other Festo components can reduce energy consumption in systems. Here are some examples of how automation can be made more efficient: OVEL vacuum generator Smart products like the OVEL vacuum generator with integrated pressure reduction. The combination of vacuum generation and monitoring in one compact unit is ideal for highly dynamic, decentralised handling applications. Energy efficiency modules of the MSE6 series Some working cycles allow the energy supply to be stopped temporarily. For this purpose, the energy efficiency modules of the MSE6 series constantly monitor the compressed air consumption and shut off the compressed air in non-production periods after a defined waiting time. VTEM Motion Terminal Digitised pneumatics for energy-efficient operation: the VTEM Motion Terminal uses piezo valves with up to 90 per cent less energy consumption in the preliminary stage of the valve and motion apps for energy-efficient control. 64 65 Festo SE & Co. KG Sustainability Report 2021 Festo SE & Co. KG Sustainability Report 2021
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