E|Benchmark — A pioneering method for process planning and sustainable manufacturing strategies for processes in the electric drives production

This paper introduces a method for the assessment and evaluation of energy efficiency of the manufacturing processes in the production as well as corporate and cross-industry comparison. A directive for energy efficiency benchmarking has already been published, however, due to its lack of defined energy indicators, it does not allow for a significant comparison. In a preliminary step 120 currently used energy indicators were examined to assess their suitability as an energy benchmark. Based thereon, three approaches for the assessment of energy efficiency of the manufacturing processes in the production as well as a method for transferring the system by means of relevant indicators at the sectorial and corporate levels were developed. In the following, the approach of “minimum value calculation”, is presented in detail, which was identified as being most advantageous. The basic idea is the comparison and evaluation of energy efficiency based on the ratio of the theoretically required energy consumption to the actual energy consumption. Depending on the analysis of influencing factors, a model highlighting their dependencies could be established. The developed system hinges on a successive calculation of the minimum value. Each of these minimum types can be put in relation to the measured energy consumption, however, depending on the chosen basis, the conclusion and focus of the calculated key figure may vary. By using the material minimum as a basis, the actually existing energy savings become visible. The method will be put to the test through an exemplary application for processes in the fields of electronics production, electrical engineering, production machining and especially for processes in the electric drives production. This course of action allows for the validation of the developed approach and reveals the potential of this method.