Efficient energy for the process industry

Industrial companies are under increasing pressure to make their production processes more sustainable. One of the key levers here is the supply of heating and cooling. At the same time, the large number of possible measures and their interactions make it difficult for companies to make a clear strategic decision. The 'Mistral' research project aims to remedy this situation and was recently approved with a total volume of 6 million euros.

The ETA research group at the Institute of Production Management, Technology and Machine Tools (PTW) and the Discrete Optimization working group at the Technical University of Darmstadt are working with partners from industry to develop a methodology that supports companies in planning their site-specific transformation. Mathematical optimization and dynamic simulation approaches are being used here. The aim of the joint research project Mistral (methodology for integrated, site-wide transformation concepts for industrial properties) is to systematically record and link measures at different levels - from energy infrastructure and processes to long-term site development - in order to find the best ways for industrial companies to save energy.

The methodology is to be implemented as software to enable companies from the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, paper and basic materials industries to select those measures from a wide range of options that meet their individual sustainability goals as well as economic and regulatory constraints. Reference use cases from energy-intensive industries serve as a basis.

"The methods developed in Mistral will reduce uncertainty in the planning of transformation measures towards 'net zero emissions' production - i.e. the goal that a company binds as many greenhouse gases as it releases - at complex production sites," says project manager Michael Frank from PTW. "Thanks to our broad industrial consortium, we ensure the applicability of our solutions and contribute to the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries in Germany."

The close exchange within the project consortium gives the participating companies the opportunity to contribute directly to a practicable transformation concept. They can also provide impetus to relevant players in energy and economic policy. The joint research project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection as part of the 8th Energy Research Program. Mistral is supervised by Project Management Jülich.