Digitalization to eliminate ‘weak links’ in energy facilities

SUZHOU, China – The “weakest links” in infrastructure systems, including those on energy systems, can already be competently stamped out with digitalization, according to Dr. Roland Busch, chief technology officer and member of the managing board of German firm Siemens AG.

In his address before the Siemens Innovation Day China 2017 here, he emphasized that such is already a possibility given the extent of data accumulated from machines as well as systems in facilities that could be the building block in determining solutions to problems encountered in their operations.

“Think about the value chain… if you think about the weakest link, this can be eliminated with digitalization,” he stressed.

In fact, he noted that nextgeneration turbines in power facilities would already be innovated and designed based on algorithms and data analytics specifically gained from their operations, to integrate solutions that will enhance their efficiencies and reliability.

For the existing power facilities, he noted that digitalization would help in improving their efficiency and reliability – by predicting glitches or distress that could happen in the networks with the aid of sensors and processing of data from such systems.

Transformation of energy technologies is among the identified challenges of digitalization, primarily in the need to inject more flexibility in power plant operations as well as on interconnection of power grids – not just in-country but globally.

Having been prompted with the tremendous data that will be accumulated and need to be stored that will then aid countries and markets in innovation and globalization paths, Siemens brought to fore “Mindsphere”; a cloud-based operating system that could then connect everyday devices to the internet, which is also referred to as the “Internet of things” or IoT.

The IoT trend, as explained, is being driven by billions of intelligent devices generating massive volumes of data, and turning these into value for the needs of critical sectors – be it in energy facilities, airports, rail roads or even buildings.

Digitalization is similarly seen advancing trends and reshaping globalization of markets and economies – and that transformation could be re-modeled with robotics.

In China, Siemens has unveiled the plan of its subsidiary here to “lead the company’s global research in autonomous robotics,” to be part of the German conglomerate’s strategy “to master technology fields that are critical for future success.”

For this venture, Siemens noted that it has tapped experienced experts from around the world to “focus on the research and development of new mechatronics systems, human-robot collaboration and the application of artificial intelligence in robotic controllers.”

As noted by Dr Busch, “China’s digital transformation is already having a profound impact on its economy… China intends to upgrade its national industry and boosts its global competence through digitalization-focused innovations.”