4.3 Derivation of Research Demand
89
If it is possible to realistically depict the energy consumption in a simulation
model, the framework conditions must be clarified to prevent current production
factors used for planning from being affected by energy efficiency optimization.
Thus, the following research questions have to be answered:
How can an energy efficiency optimization of a production system be executed
without causing any restrictions on production flexibility, without influencing the
quality or the output of the production?
Can energy be integrated as a control parameter for production optimization?
Both research questions are closely related to each other. However, answering the first question will automatically lead to the second question. Once the
methodology for the simulation-based optimization of the energy efficiency in
production has been defined, it is required to clarify options of monetary evaluation of the optimization results. Additionally, it must be thought about the
requirement of considering the production periphery for a realistic evaluation of
the entire production facility. The following main- and sub-question arise:
How can the profitability of the energy optimization methodology be rated
considering the various fields of application?
To what extent should the periphery of a production system be included in the
simulation-based optimization in order to obtain a quantifiable statement about the
energetic behavior of the entire system?
Section 5.1 will be used to investigate how an integrated simulation-based
methodology for energy efficiency optimization in production can overcome
existing inadequacies.
89
If it is possible to realistically depict the energy consumption in a simulation
model, the framework conditions must be clarified to prevent current production
factors used for planning from being affected by energy efficiency optimization.
Thus, the following research questions have to be answered:
How can an energy efficiency optimization of a production system be executed
without causing any restrictions on production flexibility, without influencing the
quality or the output of the production?
Can energy be integrated as a control parameter for production optimization?
Both research questions are closely related to each other. However, answering the first question will automatically lead to the second question. Once the
methodology for the simulation-based optimization of the energy efficiency in
production has been defined, it is required to clarify options of monetary evaluation of the optimization results. Additionally, it must be thought about the
requirement of considering the production periphery for a realistic evaluation of
the entire production facility. The following main- and sub-question arise:
How can the profitability of the energy optimization methodology be rated
considering the various fields of application?
To what extent should the periphery of a production system be included in the
simulation-based optimization in order to obtain a quantifiable statement about the
energetic behavior of the entire system?
Section 5.1 will be used to investigate how an integrated simulation-based
methodology for energy efficiency optimization in production can overcome
existing inadequacies.