Direct current as a key technology for production

Energy meets Industry 4.0: From September 10th to 11th, 2019, 21 companies, four research institutes and the ZVEI presented the results of the cross-industry research project DC-INDUSTRIE at the conference DC2019 - Industrial DC Networks in the Phoenix Contact Arena in Lemgo.

The conference included a technical focus on device development, protection of DC networks, network stability and management, connection technology for DC networks and future DC research. While the keynote by Michael Lebrecht, head of industrialization automation technology at Daimler, focused on the industrial smart grid, Jörg Timmermann, CFO and spokesman for the board at Weidmüller Interface, focused on the connection technology in the DC network and the integration of data analytics. Gunther Koschnick, Managing Director of the Automation Association at ZVEI, illustrated the importance of energy-efficient production as a systemic approach.

Another keynote by Karl-Heinz Mayer, Director Innovation & Codes and Standards at Eaton, addressed the protection of DC networks and gave an outlook on the need and the state of the art. Between the sessions, the approximately 80 participants had the opportunity to visit an exhibition.

Event manager and scientific director of the research project DC-INDUSTRIE, Prof. Holger Borcherding, was satisfied: “The conference showed that direct current is a key technology with a lot of potential. There is agreement within the research network that the integration of DC into existing systems and processes must be investigated further in a follow-up project. The funding application has already been submitted - we are currently waiting for the funding notification from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and hope to be able to start promptly. ” The aim of the DC-INDUSTRIE research project is to redesign the power supply of industrial plants via a smart, open DC network and to digitize the industrial energy supply architecture.

The aim of the DC-INDUSTRIE research project is to redesign the power supply of industrial plants via a smart, open DC network and to digitize the industrial energy supply architecture.

This is how the industrial energy system of the future is created, a DC-based smart grid for industry. Direct current (DC) - is the key technology for an energy-efficient, open smart grid in production. The DC coupling increases the efficiency of machines and systems and reduces their emissions. This increases productivity and production costs are reduced. Renewable energy sources and energy stores are integrated into the production process via the DC network. An intelligent energy management system makes it possible to react to fluctuations and failures during mains operation.This is how the industrial energy system of the future is created, a DC-based smart grid for industry.

Direct current (DC) - is the key technology for an energy-efficient, open smart grid in production. The DC coupling increases the efficiency of machines and systems and reduces their emissions. This increases productivity and production costs are reduced. Renewable energy sources and energy stores are integrated into the production process via the DC network. An intelligent energy management system makes it possible to react to fluctuations and failures during mains operation.

The project partners developed a DC system concept, which they successfully tested in four model systems from project partners Daimler, Homag and KHS. Conclusion: With the help of DC technology, an efficient, robust and intelligent industrial energy supply can be created.

More picatures are avaialbe here.