C h a p t e r 2
ENERGY AND DRIVING
The Importance of
Energy Optimization
Energy has become one of the defining
themes of the past decade. Rising energy
costs, concerns about energy security,
and increasing regulatory demands are
placing pressure on manufacturers to
improve energy efficiency. The industrial
sector uses as much as 37 percent of
global energy production.
1
To keep
costs low, smart factories must produce
efficiently while reducing their impact on
the environment.
And now, human workers are returning
to the factory floor. Industry 5.0 makes
factories safer, more adaptive, and
sustainable—all for the well-being of the
human operators—but as these factories
automate, designers face a balancing act
between computational and motion control.
Innovation in Motor and
Power Control
The modern factory is a dynamic
environment that is full of motion.
Imagine an orchestra in which each
instrument plays its own part, but all
instruments work together to create a
symphony. In the same way, robotic arms,
conveyors, and autonomous vehicles all
act independently but must contribute to
the overall efficiency of the factory. Each
requires power control, and choosing the
right solution greatly contributes to the
overall safety of the facility.
Energy efficiency is essential—
not only for cutting energy costs
and boosting profits, but also for
reducing carbon footprints and
meeting global regulations like
the Ecodesign for Sustainable
Products Regulation (ESPR)."
Vivek V
Project Engineer, Tech Lead – Hardware, Rockwell Automation
1
IEA, "Industry," last updated July 11, 2023, https://www.iea.org/energy-system/industry.
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Autonomy Meets Intelligence: Enabling the Future of Factory Automation
