Paving the Way for Net Zero Accelerating Progress Through Purposeful Technologies
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Paving the Way for Net Zero
In the pursuit of net zero emissions, asset-heavy industries such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation are turning to AI and automation. Read on to discover how these technologies address their challenges whilst boosting efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
Author
Madhu Janardan
Advisory Board Member, Planckton Data
The race to achieve net zero emissions has become a priority for many corporations globally, particularly in asset-heavy industries such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation. These sectors face unique challenges but also have the potential to unlock significant benefits through the adoption of AI and automation-driven technologies. These cutting-edge solutions can accelerate net zero targets while enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in the modern corporate landscape.
Energy Efficiency and Optimization
One of the critical drivers of emissions reduction in asset-heavy industries is the efficient use of energy. Organizations’ ability to identify patterns and trends in energy consumption, enabling them to optimize energy use and reduce waste becomes the lynchpin of effectively executing this. This can be achieved through machine learning algorithms that analyze vast amounts of past usage data, providing actionable insights for decision-makers to adjust energy consumption in real-time and furthermore propose a future design for more consistently efficient processes and approaches.
Predictive Maintenance
Asset-heavy industries often rely on large-scale machinery and equipment that are susceptible to wear and tear, largely to the smallest of parts, leading to significant inefficiencies and increased emissions that could be avoided if caught at the right time. Technology that can enable a predictive maintenance system can proactively monitor equipment conditions, anticipate potential failure points, and prioritize & optimize maintenance routines. Adding a digital twin to a machine seems simple in today’s world, but the need to measure inefficiencies consistently and constantly in a timely manner becomes the pillar of success and not get inundated with the data overload syndrome. This approach not only minimizes downtime and dramatically extends the lifespan of investments & assets but also reduces the overall carbon footprint by mitigating energy-intensive repairs and replacements.
Smart Supply Chain Management
Supply chain operations are notoriously complex, and in asset-heavy industries, they can contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. AI and automation can help streamline supply chain processes, improve forecasting of demand, and manage inventory optimally, leading to more sustainable operations. By increasing the accuracy of forecasts, companies can reduce waste and transportation-related emissions while drastically benefiting by ensuring business agility & responsiveness to changing customer needs.
Material Recycling and Waste Reduction
The efficient use of raw materials and waste reduction are crucial components of achieving net zero targets in asset-heavy industries. Today’s technologies can help identify opportunities for recycling, reusing, reducing, and repurposing materials within the production process, decreasing waste and resource consumption. Additionally, automation can facilitate more precise and efficient material handling, minimizing waste generation during the manufacturing process, thereby leading to reduced spend on waste management.
Carbon Capture and Storage
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies can play a vital role in mitigating emissions from asset-heavy industries and removing carbon from the atmosphere to balance the hard-to-abate emissions. AI can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CCS systems by monitoring and optimizing the capture, transport, and storage processes. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify trends and make real-time adjustments, ensuring that the maximum amount of carbon is captured and stored with minimal energy input.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the path to net zero for asset-heavy industries is undoubtedly challenging, but a technology-driven outlook can play a pivotal role in reaching these ambitious goals and overcoming these challenges. By optimizing energy use, enhancing predictive maintenance, streamlining supply chain management, reducing waste, and improving carbon capture processes, companies can drive efficiency, productivity, and sustainability while contributing to a greener, more resilient future in a cost-sensitive manner.
