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You can ’ t manage what you cannot measure
To begin with , operators should never underestimate the importance of the measurement . The guiding principle is that you can ’ t manage what you cannot measure . Every F & B segment is different , so it is crucial to do an energy assessment to find out where your energy is going . For example , in sugar processing it is the milling and centrifuges which are most energy intensive whereas in confectionary , the conches , compressors and mixers use most of the energy .
Installation of digital tools is simple and with them , energy use data for each piece of equipment can be captured and collated on a central dashboard for analysis . Using this data , you can set sustainability goals , realistic targets for reductions and see where further CAPEX spend may be required to upgrade outdated equipment to more efficient technology or to install new components .
Maintaining continuous operations
With the basics in place , F & B operators should be well placed to not only successfully exploit opportunities to make continuous improvements but mitigate issues before they happen .
As we all know , for a busy factory or manufacturer , even a few minutes of downtime can be huge in terms of the loss of productivity . With a digital approach operators can observe the performance and health status of all assets day and night – covering everything from temperature , vibrations , partial discharges , currents , voltages , operating times , angular movements , and more – making it easy to not just detect and address an issue before it escalates into something bigger but pre-empt similar system constraints .
This predictive maintenance can also extend the life of equipment , protecting the company ’ s assets and keeping them in service and running at their optimum for longer .
Driving better decisions to ensure food quality
Digitalization creates a lot of data , and this is only useful if you are analyzing it and using the insights it offers to improve the operations of your facility . With the same digitalization infrastructure as for addressing energy efficiency and by adding just a few additional sensors , you can ensure power quality is maintained to guarantee smooth product processing and ensure food quality , and you can better manage the expansion of your facility as it grows to boost capacity or add new lines .
Future focus
And this is just the beginning . As more F & B operators pivot to self-generation opportunities
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