What you’ll learn:
- The importance of efficiency and green initiatives.
- How to enhance efficiency through data-driven insights.
- Ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Using predictive maintenance: extending equipment lifespan.
- How to rapidly respond to operational anomalies.
The European Commission's "A New Circular Economy Action Plan" report projects that global material consumption will double by 2050, with annual waste generation increasing by 70%. This stark reminder underscores the urgent need for efficient resource management and operational sustainability. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems can be pivotal in driving sustainability across various industries, from manufacturing to utilities.
As the electronic design landscape continues to evolve, engineers and developers are discovering new ways to integrate hardware and software for more sustainable practices aimed at reducing resource consumption and waste generation. One of the unsung heroes in this realm is the SCADA system.
Though often overlooked in discussions about green technology, SCADA systems are becoming increasingly critical as they facilitate this integration, leading to more sustainable and efficient operations. Here’s a closer look at how SCADA systems from companies like Ovarro are quietly revolutionizing resource management and operational efficiency.
The ability to monitor and control systems remotely is a key advantage of SCADA technology, particularly when combined with Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-based platforms. These systems reduce the need for engineers to travel to physical sites, cutting down on transportation-related carbon emissions.
By enabling real-time access to data from any device, SCADA systems not only save time, but also contribute significantly to reducing the overall carbon footprint of industrial operations. Remote telemetry units (RTUs) enable users to monitor and control complex processes remotely. With these capabilities, RTUs help streamline operations and significantly reduce the environmental impact of site visits.
Enhancing Energy Efficiency Through Data-Driven Insights
SCADA systems are essential for optimizing energy usage and enhancing operational efficiency. By continuously monitoring processes and collecting historical data, these systems can identify inefficiencies and promptly alert operators to issues such as leaks or malfunctioning equipment.
Such a proactive approach enables timely maintenance, reducing energy waste and extending equipment life. Furthermore, SCADA systems can monitor electricity prices and adjust energy consumption patterns accordingly, ensuring that resources are utilized when it’s most cost-effective.
A prime example of this is seen in leak detection projects where SCADA systems make it possible for customers to monitor leaks and pump activity, optimizing maintenance schedules and improving energy efficiency. For instance, Ovarro’s StreamWebscada platform has empowered EMS with a modern, web-enabled SCADA solution. EMS is an energy management company for water suppliers, with a scalable, 4G-enabled SCADA solution.
This platform provides real-time process insights and precise control over field equipment, enhancing data visibility and driving energy savings through efficient asset monitoring and management.
Ensuring Compliance with Environmental Regulations
Compliance with environmental regulations is non-negotiable in today’s industry. SCADA systems facilitate this by providing detailed reports and tracking key environmental metrics. For instance, they can monitor the running hours of pumps and other machinery, enabling maintenance based on actual usage rather than arbitrary schedules. This not only extends the lifespan of equipment, but also reduces unnecessary resource consumption, helping companies meet stringent environmental standards while promoting sustainability.
Given that half of total greenhouse gas emissions come from resource extraction and processing, according to the European Commission's report, the optimization and efficiency brought about by SCADA systems can significantly contribute to reducing these emissions.
Telemetry solutions are instrumental in helping companies meet compliance requirements. For example, their data loggers capture and transmit critical data for environmental monitoring, ensuring that operations remain within legal limits.
Predictive Maintenance: Extending Equipment Lifespan
One of the most significant contributions of SCADA systems to sustainability is predictive maintenance. By monitoring the performance and operational hours of equipment, these systems can predict when maintenance is needed, preventing costly breakdowns and extending the life of machinery. This reduces the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and disposing of parts, aligning with the principles of sustainable design and operation.
A notable example of this is Ovarro's work with Jabatan Air Negeri Sabah (JANS), the water authority for Sabah in Malaysia. Ovarro implemented sophisticated correlating noise loggers that were instrumental in detecting and repairing significant water leaks.
This technology included LeakHub advanced detection solutions within Ovarro’s Atrium portal, an online platform that hosts a number of Ovarro analytics products. The noise loggers were integrated into a broader SCADA framework. The system was designed to monitor and manage water distribution networks. As a result, JANS achieved a reduction in non-revenue water losses, an improvement in water pressure, and a more reliable water supply.
Rapid Response to Operational Anomalies
In an era where every second counts, the ability of SCADA systems to facilitate rapid response to operational anomalies is invaluable. By integrating with IoT devices and using protocols like MQTT, SCADA systems can provide immediate alerts and even trigger automated responses to issues such as leaks or equipment failures.
An example of SCADA systems enhancing rapid response and sustainability efforts can be seen in the Netherlands. The Dutch Drinking Water Company Vitens employs Ovarro's Datawatt AMR 2.0 system, which integrates IoT connectors, StreamWebscada, and real-time data loggers to monitor and manage its expansive water distribution network.
This sophisticated system offers real-time insights into water consumption and billing for Vitens' top 1,000 business clients, leading to improved customer satisfaction and service quality. By facilitating efficient data management and real-time tracking of water use, Vitens is better positioned to uphold high standards of water supply and optimize resource management, supporting its sustainability goals.
In the pursuit of greener technologies, SCADA systems may not be as visible as solar panels or electric vehicles, but their impact is profound. As the EU aims to double its circular material use rate within the next decade, technologies like SCADA will be essential in achieving this goal by supporting efficient resource management and waste reduction.
For those involved in electronic design, understanding the capabilities and benefits of SCADA systems is crucial for pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable engineering.
