The interaction between IT and OT creates potential energy savings. Smart Energy Monitoring from exhibitor Baumüller, for example, helps users to determine and subsequently optimize their_{CO2 footprint}. However, most industrial users are still barely aware of many hidden consumption levels. Unregulated motors in pumps, fans, compressors or machines are still part of everyday life in many factories.

Without control technology and the interplay of electrical engineering expertise and IT, it is almost impossible to increase energy efficiency. Direct current (DC) lines, for example, are becoming increasingly important. The advantage of DC (direct voltage): Frequency converters will become smaller, the factory will become a prosumer - a consumer and supplier of energy at the same time. In addition, machines will communicate with the energy supply or companies will set up smart grids in the company, for example to use employees' electric cars as temporary storage. At the same time, customers are demanding more efficiency in the systems. A logistics center does not always have to run at 100% capacity if the machines know that the truck is stuck in a traffic jam. "To solve such tasks, you need domain knowledge. That's what we have as automation specialists and many tech companies envy us for it," explains Christian Wendler from exhibitor Lenze. He predicts a decade of automation.

The Energy 4.0 Conference Stages at the Hannover Messe are dedicated to precisely these issues. It is the outstanding communication and competence platform for topics relating to an energy-intelligent, climate-friendly and sustainable future. Here, industry thought leaders, top-class experts and practitioners can present the latest trends and answer questions from the industry.

The many European automation companies are certainly also winners of the high energy prices because they have the technical answers for many applications, from storage solutions to speed control and DC grids. Energy savings can only be achieved through the interaction of data, algorithms and physics. Added to this is networking. Until now, energy data has been left out of the equation for many companies. However, companies need to combine production and energy data. Automation can help to save energy, water and_CO2. One example: Schaltbau's plant - highly automated and with a direct current supply - is expected to reduce costs by up to 35%.

According to research by Dr. Mirjana Ristic from Bosch Rexroth as part of technology scouting on DC technology and the results of the publicly funded DC-INDUSTRIE project, this technology offers great potential for energy savings: "Industry consumes around 45% of the electricity in Germany, with drive systems accounting for around 70% of this. If we start there, we can achieve major efficiency gains." The experts at the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI) calculate an energy saving potential of around 10%. The cost effect is estimated at around 20 %. This is mainly due to the saving on AC (alternating current) DC converters on the motors. The average system availability can also be increased to around 98%, the report continues.