Global investment in the clean energy sector has risen nearly fivefold,
growing from $54 billion in 2004 to $269 billion world-wide in 2012.
Driving energy efficiency throughout industry is advanced manufacturing
technologies such as energy aware control systems that can sense and report
energy consumed in the process.
30% of the energy used in the U.S. goes to
industrial applications and the majority of use goes to electric motors. That’s
a great place to start.
With advanced manufacturing, companies can add the cost of energy to the
raw materials cost, or the bill of materials (BOM). It’s a wise strategy
because the amount of energy used to make products is as important as the raw
materials – the copper, sheet metal, nuts and bolts, plastic and chemicals –
used within those products.
A decade ago, this wasn’t possible. Communication in manufacturing was
much like the United Nations, where everyone around the table spoke a different
language. Nothing gets done until you find a common way to communicate.
The same applies to manufacturing. The control system and the machines
need to communicate and share information to act faster, smarter, and more
efficiently.
That’s the concept behind The Connected
Enterprise, where automation is integrated with the rest of the
enterprise. And when I say integrated, I mean with everything: supply chain
data, customer data, and of course, energy
information.
The entire concept – managing energy on the BOM – is possible because
the technology has advanced so far that we can now collect granular information
on energy consumption without adding new power meters.
With advanced manufacturing and new technologies we’re innovating and
standardising, you can now measure energy at the machine and device level so
you know how much energy every single machine is using.
Now, what to do with that information? By collecting the data so
accurately and in real-time, you can start negotiating with the smart grid.
With visibility to your energy usage right from your iPad or smart device, you
can figure out what energy rates will be for the next 24 hours and schedule
operations to minimise energy usage during peak times.
If you’re a big energy consumer and you have the right information,
managing those fluctuations to your advantage can save millions of
dollars by year end.
In the U.S. alone, a 10 percent reduction in energy equals $6 billion in
savings. These are the kinds of things we can do with smart manufacturing
enabled by better technology, constant innovation, updated standards and a
connected enterprise.
Bottom line: many manufacturers look at energy as a cost of doing
business – and that must change. Energy is not a pure cost if you look at it
more like an element on the BOM. Companies are always negotiating the cost of
raw materials; with advanced manufacturing solutions and active energy
management, now they can start dynamically optimising energy consumption and
reduce that cost rather than treating it as fixed.
Imagine what you could do with all the money and energy you save.
Routeco and Weidmuller have teamed up to bring you the latest electronic and connectivity solutions for industrial automation and process control applications as well as for power protection and generation inside and outside of the cabinet.
Social media has come a long way since it first started at the end of the 20th Century and today we find ourselves checking more social media networks than ever before! Each network has its own specific benefit and appeal, find them outlined below:
The BACNet Compliant interface allows you to turn your Micro800 series PLC into a BACNet Application Controller. 
The Worcester Electric Club has made a generous donation to the Engineering Students of Worcester College of Technology. The club which was closed in 2013 had been in existence for 66 years, the members decided that it was only fitting to donate the remaining funds to the next generation of engineers. 
This week we are celebrating Friday a day early with the forthcoming Easter weekend! 
Routeco and Weidmuller have teamed up to bring you the latest electronic and connectivity solutions for industrial automation and process control applications as well as for power protection and generation inside and outside of the cabinet.
Birthdays!
The 77 series “single-pole” solid state relays from Finder are now available in eight new versions, including a 30A current rating to complement the existing 5A models. The range includes distinct models for zero-voltage and instantaneous switch on.
The Brad® mPm® range of DIN connectors is used extensively to provide electrical connection in a wide range of applications. The most common application for mPm DIN connectors is in conjunction with pneumatic, hydraulic or electromagnetic devices, including solenoid valves. Other applications include, for example, pressure transducers, proximity switches, level sensors, limit switches and low energy motors.
April Fools 
Cats you may know
Here at Routeco we have a strong commitment
to sustainability and are continually exploring ways to reduce our carbon
footprint.
45CLR ColorSight
ProSoft Technology are pleased to announce the new Scalable Modbus Solutions for CompactLogix offering Modbus TCP/IP and Modbus Serial Connectivity Solutions. 
