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Challenges and Research Trends in Energy Saving in Production Processes

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 19700

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering Management, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45A, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Interests: manufacturing systems; lean manufacturing; Industry 4.0; energetic efficiency

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As you know industrial processes are a giant energy consumer, at the same time we live in the era of raising awareness of resource scarcity and progressive climate erosion. Energetic efficiency is undoubtedly a civilization challenge. This challenge cannot be successful without disruptive changes in energy use in production processes.

Many production industries have substantially changed their energy consumption in recent decades. However, we still need new systems at the level of power supply and energy conversion, new approaches and solutions for steering the energy usage across manufacturing plants, new more energetically efficient and greener technologies in industries. New technologies of Industry 4.0 are particularly promising in the field of saving energy. Also, awareness of importance of this civilization problem among entrepreneurs is very important. You are welcomed to share your research on energetic issues in production processes, on new technologies and systems, prospects and challenges, alike thought provoking concepts.

Prof. Dr. Wieslaw Urban
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Indusrtial processes 
  • Green technologies 
  • Energy management 
  • Green Lean 
  • Energy saving 
  • Design for energetic efficnency 
  • Industy 4.0 for energy savings 
  • Sustainable energy systems 
  • Energy conversion systems 
  • Energy Research and Development

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 181 KiB  
Editorial
Energy Savings in Production Processes as a Key Component of the Global Energy Problem—The Introduction to the Special Issue of Energies
by Wieslaw Urban
Energies 2022, 15(14), 5158; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15145158 - 16 Jul 2022
Viewed by 1165
Abstract
It is critical to address energy issues as we move through the first half of the twenty-first century, as societies become firmly aware of the consequences of resource scarcity and the disastrous consequences of climate change from human activity (especially heavy industry) [...] [...] Read more.
It is critical to address energy issues as we move through the first half of the twenty-first century, as societies become firmly aware of the consequences of resource scarcity and the disastrous consequences of climate change from human activity (especially heavy industry) [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial

16 pages, 4014 KiB  
Article
Machine Learning Short-Term Energy Consumption Forecasting for Microgrids in a Manufacturing Plant
by Maciej Slowik and Wieslaw Urban
Energies 2022, 15(9), 3382; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15093382 - 6 May 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2720
Abstract
Energy production and supply are important challenges for civilisation. Renewable energy sources present an increased share of the energy supply. Under these circumstances, small-scale grids operating in small areas as fully functioning energy systems are becoming an interesting solution. One crucial element to [...] Read more.
Energy production and supply are important challenges for civilisation. Renewable energy sources present an increased share of the energy supply. Under these circumstances, small-scale grids operating in small areas as fully functioning energy systems are becoming an interesting solution. One crucial element to the success of micro-grid structures is the accurate forecasting of energy consumption by large customers, such as factories. This study aimed to develop a universal forecasting tool for energy consumption by end-use consumers. The tool estimates energy use based on real energy-consumption data obtained from a factory or a production machine. This model allows the end-users to be equipped with an energy demand prediction, enabling them to participate more effectively in the smart grid energy market. A single, long short-term memory (LSTM)-layer-based artificial neural network model for short-term energy demand prediction was developed. The model was based on a manufacturing plant’s energy consumption data. The model is characterised by high prediction capability, and it predicted energy consumption, with a mean absolute error value of 0.0464. The developed model was compared with two other methodologies. Full article
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12 pages, 2150 KiB  
Article
Aspects of Energy Saving of Oil-Producing Enterprises
by Katarzyna Midor, Tatyana N. Ivanova, Michał Molenda, Witold Biały and Oleg V. Zakharov
Energies 2022, 15(1), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010259 - 31 Dec 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2692
Abstract
Increasing energy efficiency is included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by the year 2030. Enhancing energy efficiency is also one of the priority areas for improving the operational efficiency of any oil production enterprise. The energy management system [...] Read more.
Increasing energy efficiency is included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by the year 2030. Enhancing energy efficiency is also one of the priority areas for improving the operational efficiency of any oil production enterprise. The energy management system of enterprises has been founded and implemented on the basis of the international standard ISO 50001:2018 and it works successfully. The energy efficiency strategy is formulated in the energy policy and integrated into the business model of the companies. Companies receive significant energy savings in the exploration and production segments through technical, technological, and organizational measures. This article shows the main directions for improving the energy efficiency of the artificial lift well stock and the results of their implementation. The main constraints on the implementation of the energy efficiency policy of oil-producing enterprises have been identified and directions for improvement of energy-saving structure have been proposed. The article proposes strategic-level classification of energy-saving measures, which is based on assessment and comparison of implementation costs, payback period, and takes into account investments into artificial lift technology, therefore allowing investment priorities in the energy management sphere to be distinguished. Advanced directions for investment in oil-production technology have been identified, and an algorithm of development and implementation of key indicators of energy consumption efficiency has been proposed. Full article
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24 pages, 1796 KiB  
Article
Effects of Pro-Ecological Investments on an Example of the Heating Industry—Case Study
by Marcin Olkiewicz, Anna Olkiewicz, Radosław Wolniak and Adam Wyszomirski
Energies 2021, 14(18), 5959; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185959 - 20 Sep 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4563
Abstract
This paper presents problems connected with the effects of pro-ecological investment on the example of the heating industry. The aim of the publication, resulting from the identified gap, is to analyze pro-ecological investments on the example of a Polish heating company—Miejska Energetyka Cieplna [...] Read more.
This paper presents problems connected with the effects of pro-ecological investment on the example of the heating industry. The aim of the publication, resulting from the identified gap, is to analyze pro-ecological investments on the example of a Polish heating company—Miejska Energetyka Cieplna Ltd. in Koszalin. In particular, the pro-environmental activities in which the examined company engaged over the period 2017–2020 were analyzed. On the basis of existing models in the literature, the authors’ cause–effect model for analyzing pro-ecological investments was proposed and investments were realized by the analyzed organization using this model. Combining the presented causes and effects of ecological investments, it is possible to propose a cause–effect model of pro-ecological investments undertaken in organizations consisting of three causes and five effects. All causes that cause organizations to realize pro-ecological investments can be divided into three groups: low requirements, economical requirements, and image requirements, all of which lead to the implementation of environmental corporate social responsibility. Full article
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22 pages, 6668 KiB  
Article
Technology Entrepreneurship and the Performance of Enterprises in the Conditions of Covid-19 Pandemic: The Fuzzy Set Analysis of Waste to Energy Enterprises in Poland
by Piotr Kordel and Radosław Wolniak
Energies 2021, 14(13), 3891; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14133891 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3432
Abstract
This article’s aim is to explain the impact of technology entrepreneurship phenomenon on waste management enterprise performance in the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic. The concept of technology entrepreneurship according to the configuration approach and the category of high-performance organization are the theoretical bases [...] Read more.
This article’s aim is to explain the impact of technology entrepreneurship phenomenon on waste management enterprise performance in the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic. The concept of technology entrepreneurship according to the configuration approach and the category of high-performance organization are the theoretical bases of empirical investigation. For the implementation of empirical research, Fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA) was adopted. The research sample included a group of producers of Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) as a central part of the waste to energy industry located in Poland. The research results showed that the waste to energy sector is highly immune to pandemic threats. While during COVID-19, the basic economic parameters (i.e., sales, profitability and employment) of the entire industry in Poland clearly decreased, the same parameters in the case of the waste to energy industry remained at the same level. The research results allow the formulation of two high-performance models of technology entrepreneurship in the waste to energy industry under COVID-19 conditions. The first model is based on traditional technologies and hierarchical organizational structures, and the second is using innovative technologies and flexible structures. Both technology entrepreneurship models are determined by their emergence as complementary to implementation strategies and the opportunity-oriented allocation of resources within business model portfolios. Full article
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19 pages, 490 KiB  
Article
Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility Activities in Heating Industry—Case Study
by Radosław Wolniak, Adam Wyszomirski, Marcin Olkiewicz and Anna Olkiewicz
Energies 2021, 14(7), 1930; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14071930 - 31 Mar 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3699
Abstract
The paper focuses on problems connected with Environmental Corporate Social responsibility in the energy industry. The objective behind this article is to analyse pro-environment activities within Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (ECSR) that heating operators carry out, using the example of a Poland-based company [...] Read more.
The paper focuses on problems connected with Environmental Corporate Social responsibility in the energy industry. The objective behind this article is to analyse pro-environment activities within Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (ECSR) that heating operators carry out, using the example of a Poland-based company called Miejska Energetyka Cieplna Spółka z o.o. with headquarters in Koszalin. In particular, this study focuses on pro-environment activities that the company has been involved in from 2017–2020. The data and information found in this study demonstrate that the company systematically devoted its financial resources to pro-environment efforts in terms of both ISO 14001 maintenance as well as educational/promotional activities. According to the findings, the company has been highly committed to Environmental Corporate social Responsibility issues. The implementation of its strategy in this field can lead to ecological innovation and help establish an effective business model that will be founded on ecological assumptions. Full article
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