Energy: Europe's industry is giving away enormous savings potential
The sharp rise in energy costs is currently by far the greatest challenge for Europe's industrial companies, as a study conducted in 19 European countries by the Aras product innovation platform shows. Nonetheless, many companies have so far only implemented superficial cost-saving measures. A structured approach, on the other hand, is the exception throughout Europe. Yet companies could halve their energy consumption by doing so.
LED instead of incandescent lamps, sealed doors or retrofitted thermal insulation for the factory floor - many companies have already implemented these measures in response to rising energy costs. "This means that the first step has been taken, but the greatest savings potential is still lying fallow," says Jens Rollenmüller, Managing Director of Aras Germany. "In the past, energy costs were negligible due to their low impact, so they could be roughly distributed across the entire product portfolio. The increased prices for electricity, oil, gas and co. are now forcing companies to rethink towards more transparency. Only when I am aware of which component in my product causes the greatest energy consumption can I also optimize this component in this respect - even for supposedly small things such as the plastic packaging of the finished end product." Such a systematic energy audit with a precise analysis of the data collected gives companies an even deeper insight into their entire value chain. The evaluation of all relevant information then forms the basis for energy-optimized production. Compared to the actual state, half of the energy used can be saved in this way.
Digital twin instead of Excel list
In the past, simple Excel lists were sufficient for a rough cost breakdown, but they did not allow for a precise analysis. "In order to transparently uncover all cost drivers, companies must begin to also record, measure and evaluate the data for energy. On this basis, companies can create a digital twin or expand it to include data on energy consumption. This opens up new opportunities: On the one hand, companies receive a snapshot of the product with a listing of all individual parts and the associated energy costs in real time. On the other hand, the companies can use this data in the R&D department, for example, to exploit optimization potential as early as the design phase," says Aras Managing Director Rollenmüller.
Savings potential can be determined from existing data
Much of the data required for such a digital twin is already collected in the companies; now this information must be linked in a meaningful way. In view of the international competitive pressure, the PLM expert urges rapid implementation: "No matter how the geopolitical situation develops, energy prices will not return to the old level. That's why the industry needs to adapt its production promptly - and rely on quickly configurable and stable software solutions for this purpose.
This is an approach that helps companies on their way to achieving climate neutrality and at the same time massively reduces costs. The energy crisis is currently the biggest hurdle for companies on the road to sustainability, as the Aras study "Europe's Changing Industry" shows. More than 440 top decision-makers from 19 European countries were surveyed on behalf of the product innovation platform.
Source: Aras. The study is available at this link available for download free of charge.
