对很多企业而言，“可持续发展”仅仅是一句口号，尚未落到实处。Wellspect 公司是一家全球领先的医疗排泄护理解决方案制造商，他们将可持续发展列为重要的企业战略，并真正践行了这一理念。为实现这一目标，公司在瑞典哥德堡附近的 Mölndal 工厂选用了 Festo 节能服务产品，由此每年为 Wellspect 节省了 37,000 欧元的能源成本，
相当于每年减少 24 吨二氧化碳排放。伴随能耗降低而来的，还有一大好处：由于元件磨损减少，其中一条导流管包装线的机器可用性提高了 10 %。
压缩空气能效评审服务
“Festo 瑞典分公司的能效专家 Bo Lilja 通过 压缩空气能效评审服务，帮助我们找到了设备的薄弱环节，并提供了最优措施用于我们的压缩空气系统。”Wellspect 公司维护部经理 Erik Blomholt 说道。能源专家 Lilja 通过 Festo 节能服务门户网站，在线为 Wellspect 的维护团队指导实施了相应的改进措施。“这样一来，我们就能方便地对故障排除进行系统性监测，例如解决泄漏问题等等。”Blomholt 先生表示。此外，通过这种方式，还能量化能源损耗和二氧化碳排放。
此次压缩空气能效评审包括五个步骤：在前三个步骤中，能效专家 Bo Lilja 分析了整个系统的压缩空气产生、压缩空气制备和压缩空气输配情况，然后评估了气动应用，即机器和设备本身的状况。在这个过程中，他分析了这些机器和设备的能源效率，并检查了泄漏情况。
“我检查了气缸、阀和软管的规格是否合适，吹气应用和真空应用的设计是否高效，以及安装和控制方案是否需要优化。”Lilja 解释道。
在第五步，也就是最后一步，他制定了压缩空气监测系统方案，用以持续监测能源状态。
Comprehensive analysis
At the end of the analysis, Wellspect received a detailed report that precisely documents the data and provides recommended actions in order of priority. The documentation shows, among other things, energy consumption and costs, energy reserves and CO2 emission values, which Wellspect requires for disclosure in its own sustainability report in accordance with GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) or GHG (greenhouse gas).
Carrying out the energy efficiency audit is part of Wellspect's sustainability strategy. Three topics take centre stage: health and well-being by enabling more people to live full, independent and self-confident lives thanks to bladder and bowel management solutions; a safe, engaging and inspiring workplace; and a reduced environmental footprint.
Contribution to the sustainability goals
Wellspect's vision is to become carbon neutral by 2045. The company's production facilities are already powered exclusively by electricity from renewable energy sources. Festo Energy Saving Services are designed to point the way to further savings. The €37,000 that are now saved annually on energy and equipment costs relate to three production lines, and two more have already been identified. "Our goal is to optimise all production plants in terms of energy. That is why we will gradually extend the energy efficiency audits to all our systems", says Chief Maintenance Engineer Blomholt.
This will make it possible to continuously reduce the kilowatt hours consumed annually for each catheter produced. By 2025, Wellspect hopes to reduce the energy consumption for each catheter manufactured by 12% compared to 2020. As a large number of catheters is produced each week, the final figure results in significant cost savings.
Predictive energy with artificial intelligence and machine learning
The Festo Automation Experience, or Festo AX for short, could be the right tool for greater energy efficiency at Wellspect. It can be used to continuously monitor the energy efficiency of a machine or system and to take permanent corrective action if consumption deviates from the setpoint values. It is an easy-to-use solution that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to help the user extract maximum value from the data produced by the machines and systems.
Festo AX Predictive Energy records a "fingerprint" of the energy consumption of the production line and continuously compares it with the actual state. Leaks can be detected automatically by using machine learning and artificial intelligence. And without having to describe and teach in all possible fault causes beforehand. Being able to react quickly to detected leakages immediately lowers production costs and ensures the solution provides an early return on investment.
Based in Mölndal near Gothenburg, Sweden, Wellspect employs more than 1,000 people and operates in 18 countries. The company is part of Dentsply Sirona, the world's largest manufacturer of professional dental solutions. The company develops and produces solutions for people suffering from bladder or bowel related issues. Product users include people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida or an enlarged prostate. The best-known product lines are Lofric for bladder management and Navina for bowel management. The high-quality product solutions are accompanied by a comprehensive training program for patients and healthcare professionals.