According to the 2021 survey by the Federal Statistical Office, industrial companies consumed around 4.6% more energy than in the previous year. The majority of energy (88%) is used to operate production machines and process materials. Although energy efficiency rose for a long time, factors such as the economic recovery after the pandemic and the increased use of coal to generate electricity due to higher natural gas prices have recently caused_{CO2 emissions} per kilowatt hour to rise again. For manufacturing companies, higher energy consumption goes hand in hand with a correspondingly higher_{carbon footprint}.

Why companies need to improve their carbon footprint

In view of the worsening climate change, climate-friendly measures are becoming increasingly important. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has become one of the most important tasks facing our society in recent years. Sustainable energy management is therefore not a voluntary measure for companies, but has long been the law: the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) now stipulates which aspects of energy-efficient processes the industry must take into account. Companies are also obliged to report on environmentally friendly activities, such as their contribution to the circular economy or the biodiversity of ecosystems.

Many industrial companies have therefore decided to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energies. However, this alone is not enough: Companies need to look at their energy management as a whole. In addition to switching to renewable energies, this also involves a significant increase in energy productivity. This is because there is great potential for savings in production in particular. If industrial companies include this in their strategic planning, they can often reduce their operating costs within just a few months. They also set the course for an energy-efficient and competitive economy. After all, sustainability is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage because it has a growing influence on customers' purchasing decisions. A consistent data strategy and clean data management form the basis for this.

The carbon _footprint of industry: determining and reducing emissions

Business and industry play a crucial role when it comes to combating climate change. However, many companies are often unaware of the size of their_{carbon footprint} or underestimate its actual size and, in particular, the resulting costs. It is therefore advisable as a first step to determine the_{carbon footprint} in order to measure the effects of production. This data can then be used as a basis for planning and implementing further reduction measures. To introduce energy-efficient measures, it is advisable to first carry out energy audits and certifications in accordance with standards such as ISO 50001 or DIN EN 16247-3. Large companies can also implement an energy management system in order to bundle sub-processes such as strategy and risk management, energy evaluation and optimization of operating processes as well as a subsequent management review and audit. This enables long-term monitoring of emissions and the implementation of long-term, targeted measures to reduce the_{carbon footprint}.

Energy optimization through data analysis

The next step is to record the carbon emissions of production facilities as accurately, completely and automatically as possible. This can be achieved by integrating the various production systems and - if necessary - by equipping the production areas with additional sensors. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) helps to systematically record, process and merge data from different sources and present it clearly in a dashboard. The use of standardized IIoT data platforms enables the analysis of production-relevant data. At the same time, consistently high data quality is guaranteed and the risk of errors is minimized. With the help of artificial intelligence, conclusions can then be drawn for the implementation of technical production optimizations. This allows manufacturing companies to quickly identify where savings can be made and then take targeted measures to optimize production processes. If other operationally relevant data is recorded and evaluated in addition to consumption, companies benefit twice over: this data allows anomalies to be detected, wear and breakdowns to be predicted and quality problems to be uncovered.

Companies that act now can not only reduce their environmental impact, but also save costs, meet legal requirements such as the CSRD and, last but not least, improve their reputation. Effective management of data is crucial and plays an important role in both the initial_{carbon footprint} calculation and the implementation of reduction measures. By analyzing and understanding their data, industrial companies can optimize their business processes and reduce their emissions in the long term.

This article appeared in issue 12/23