Just a few weeks ago Hannover Messe
demonstrated the ubiquity of the
Internet of Things (IoT) in the indus-
try – called industrial IoT or especially
in Germany Industrie 4.0 or nowadays
Digitalization. In traditional produc-
tion environments, machines, man-
ufacturing execution systems (MES),
and ERP systems are separate from
each other. Digitization is changing
this; connected processes are the cen-
tral to the new age of industry. The
classic, rigid automation pyramid
is becoming a network of indepen-
dent and yet connected components. Data flows seamlessly between
machines and the MES or ERP system, uniting the business and man-
ufacturing sides of the operation. Connected manufacturing allows
companies to automate highly complex production processes. So
even for customized products, the whole supply chain – from order
to assembly to after-sales support – practically takes care of itself. In
this way, manufacturing one-off items becomes as financially viable
as mass producing them.
And IIoT will change the way how plants and systems are serviced. In
the old days, a production plant had to break down before it could
be repaired. Today intelligent systems recognize faults before they
appear. Predictive Maintenance can make enormous cost-savings
and open the way to new business models. And there are already real
examples. At Havøygavlen, the world‘s most northerly wind farm ,
some 100 kilometers from the North Cape, 15 wind turbines pro-
duce 90 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. With the help
of the Internet of Things, the turbines, rotors, transformers and other
components continuously transmit sensor data to the Arctic Wind
control center to support a predictive maintenance approach. Com-
bining this with weather data, tidal and other information, software
from SAP creates a virtual portrayal of the Havøygavlen facility, ren-
dering physical inspection almost obsolete. The solution takes into
account complex forces that impact the system, and determines both
the direct effects of one-time events and the long-term consequences
of cyclical strains. This means significantly lower maintenance costs
for the operator – and fewer icy outings under inhospitable polar
nighttime conditions for technicians.
The IIoT will also enable so called Integrated Energy provided by
existing and new market players. Power is no longer generated only
in conventional power stations, but also in many industrial processes
and private households – consumers are becoming energy suppliers,
and vice versa. How is the market developing in this age of decen-
tralised power generation? Wind turbines are expected to play a key
role in providing a reliable source of energy across Germany. Soft-
ware is an important component in that process.
And these examples are just the tip of the iceberg – IOT will in future
influence the daily life of all of us. In the meantime, you´ll find infor-
mation about new developments in IoT in this special issue of ECE/
B&S to keep you up to date. Enjoy!
Yours Sincerely
Wolfgang Patelay
Editor
May 2017
3
V
IewPoINt
Dear Readers,
