Automation for sustainable aviation fuel plant.

Automating Europe's first greenfield production facility to help Netherlands meet EU sustainable aviation fuel mandate.

Technip Energies have awarded a contarct to Emerson to provide automation technologies for the SkyNRG sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant – the first dedicated greenfield SAF production facility in Europe. Emerson’s DeltaV™ integrated control and safety system (ICSS) will help ensure safe, reliable start-up and long-term operational performance, while reducing project risk for this first-of-its-kind facility.

“Projects such as SkyNRG’s SAF facility represent the future of energy and sustainable fuels,” said Nathan Pettus, president of Emerson’s process systems and solutions business. “With complex, first-of-a-kind plants, early engineering alignment and a fully integrated automation architecture are key to delivering predictable project outcomes and consistent operational performance over the long term.”

Currently under construction in Delfzijl, the new SAF facility will support the Netherlands’ efforts to meet the EU’s sustainable aviation fuel mandate. Once fully operational in 2028, the facility is expected to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of SAF annually. The plant will convert residual fats and greases into a sustainable ‘drop-in’ fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel without requiring modifications to aircraft or fuelling infrastructure. The project will also support compliance with the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which requires all jet fuel supplied at EU airports to contain a minimum of 2% SAF from 2025, rising to 70% by 2050.

“Developing Europe’s first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel facility is a major step in scaling SAF production and supporting aviation decarbonisation,” said Bart Rosendaal, site director of DSL-01 at SkyNRG. “Working with experienced partners like Technip Energies and Emerson helps ensure we can deliver a safe, reliable and future-ready plant from day one.”

As a greenfield facility, the plant will be born digital, with advanced automation technologies implemented from the outset to ensure efficient, reliable and safe operations. The ICSS will include Emerson’s DeltaV Distributed Control System and DeltaV Safety Instrumented System, providing process control, safety shutdown, and fire and gas detection. Emerson’s AMS Device Manager plant asset management software will support efficient commissioning and ongoing maintenance by delivering device data, health insights and advanced diagnostics from intelligent field devices.

These systems will manage all process units, including the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids process to produce SAF, an advanced feedstock pre-treatment unit and an on-site hydrogen plant based on Technip Energies’ proprietary high-efficiency steam methane reforming technology. Together, they will provide real-time visibility and stable, consistent operation of the facility, helping to improve reliability and optimise throughput.

Emerson will deliver end-to-end project services, applying modern project management strategies and digital technologies to reduce engineering complexity and optimise operations. Seamless integration of the ICSS with a broad range of modular production units will help simplify commissioning, while DeltaV Electronic Marshalling with distributed CHARMs reduces field wiring infrastructure costs and provides the flexibility to accommodate late-stage design changes.

“Projects such as SkyNRG’s SAF facility represent the future of energy and sustainable fuels,” said Nathan Pettus, president of Emerson’s process systems and solutions business. “With complex, first-of-a-kind plants, early engineering alignment and a fully integrated automation architecture are key to delivering predictable project outcomes and consistent operational performance over the long term.”

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@EMR_Automation @EmersonExchange@Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Netherlands

Precision component company's sustainability.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has earned the 2026 Emerson Sustainability Award. A global industrial automation leader, Emerson grants this prestigious recognition to suppliers and partners that ‘integrate environmental responsibility into their strategic business practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote transparency and collaboration with customers and stakeholders.’

Mason Linehan, Sales Engineer managing Emerson’s account for Trelleborg, says: “This award reflects the broader sustainability efforts championed by Trelleborg Group. It’s a testament to how we are protecting essential resources like the environment and people throughout our business.”

Trelleborg supplies precision components used in Emerson's solenoid valve and flow-control automation systems, including complex valve body components manufactured at its facilities in River Falls (WI USA) and Reynosa (MX).

Emerson created its Sustainability Award in 2024 and this year eight supply chain partners worldwide were recognised for their outstanding efforts in environmental sustainability.

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@TrelleborgGroup @EmersonExchange @EMR_Automation @Emerson_News #Pauto #Sustainability

Renewable energy sustainability award achieved.

Samtec has received the 2025 Flex Sustainability Award for first place in the Achieved RE (Renewable Energy) Target category. Flex, a global manufacturing and supply chain solutions provider, recognizes top-tier global suppliers that demonstrate exceptional commitment and measurable progress in advancing environmental impact and supply chain sustainability.

Samtec received the Flex Sustainability Award for the Renewable Energy category for its dedication to continuous sustainability improvement and emissions reductions – achieving and exceeding all its environmental goals for 2025. “We are pleased to receive this year’s Flex Sustainability Award in recognition of the collective effort of the Samtec Sustainability Team and our facility teams across the globe,” said Mac Miller, Compliance Manager at Samtec. “Their combined efforts have been successful, credible, and impactful in all the communities in which Samtec operates.”

Flex, named Ford Motor Company’s 2025 Sustainability Supplier of the Year, maintains a gold rating from EcoVadis – a globally recognised sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rating platform that evaluates how well a company integrates sustainability into its business operations and supply chain management.

Sustainability achievements
Samtec’s sustainability accomplishments reflect the combined impact of targeted energy-reduction initiatives, increased use of lower-carbon energy sources, and water conservation efforts.

For example, Samtec reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 25.3 percent relative to its 2019 baseline. Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gases released on-site from owned or controlled sources, and Scope 2 emissions are associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat or cooling that physically occur at the facility where they are generated. Samtec also successfully completed emissions estimates for various other categories to establish baselines and identify opportunities for future reductions in collaboration with partners and suppliers.

Also in 2025, Samtec exceeded its renewable energy target by increasing the share of renewables in its global energy portfolio to 21.5 percent. This progress was driven by expanded green power agreements, strategic procurement of renewable energy credits, and the advancement of on-site renewable projects. The recent installation of a photovoltaic solar power system at Samtec’s Costa Rica facility will account for roughly 28 percent of the yearly total energy consumption.

Samtec made significant progress in optimising water use in 2025, particularly in water-intensive processes such as electroplating. A new wastewater treatment facility began operation at the New Albany, Indiana headquarters. This was a contributing factor to a 20 percent water recycling rate across all global manufacturing operations.

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@SamtecInc @Flexintl @TechWireIntl #Electronics #PAuto

Circular manufacturing.

 In a recent discussion with Rockwell Automation ROKStudios, Tony Wibbeler, founder and CEO of Bolder Industries, outlined a vision for accelerating the shift to circular manufacturing, emphasising the importance of clear strategy, advanced technology, and strong partnerships. Bolder Industries is a circular-economy infrastructure platform that transforms end-of-life tyres into essential, sustainable materials for the tyre, rubber, plastics, and petrochemical industries.

In this interview, Wibbeler talked about the challenge of scale and described efforts to expand circular manufacturing operations across regions, particularly in the United States and Europe. Achieving this requires standardised processes, repeatable plant designs, and consistent quality across facilities, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of efficiency or reliability.

Equally important, Wibbeler emphasised, is collaboration. Partnerships between companies like Bolder Industries and Rockwell Automation bring together expertise in manufacturing, digital solutions, and system integration, helping accelerate deployment and strengthen operational outcomes.

While challenges remain, including system integration and global alignment, the discussion underscored a clear takeaway: scaling circular manufacturing is not just an environmental goal, but a strategic business priority. When done effectively, it can deliver both economic value and meaningful sustainability impact for the industry.

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@ROKAutomation #BoulderInd #PAuto #Sustainability

Enabling renewable energy production in Colorado.

Supports delivery of safe, reliable, affordable, sustainable power across the Aspen and Vail regions.

Emerson's Ovation™ Green supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software is helping Holy Cross Energy operate, monitor and optimise renewable energy generation across four critical sites in Western Colorado (USA).

Holy Cross Energy plays a vital role in supporting the local economy by powering colleges, ranching operations, residential infrastructure and the tourism industry, including world-renowned resorts such as Vail and Aspen. The member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative supplies sustainable, reliable energy that aligns with the environmental values of its customers and maintains affordable, stable energy costs.

The High Mesa solar and battery energy storage system operates alongside the Mamm Creek, Hunter and Bronco Plains II facilities as part of Holy Cross Energy’s digitally unified renewable network powered by Emerson’s Ovation Green SCADA software.

Power purchase agreements (PPAs) with local renewable energy providers enable Holy Cross Energy to provide local, low-cost renewable energy to its members. Emerson helps Holy Cross Energy manage four power plants delivering energy via solar, wind and battery storage to over 45,000 members, almost 52,000 households and 60,000 active meters with a peak load of approximately 300 megawatts.

The customised Ovation Green SCADA software at the Mamm Creek, High Mesa, Hunter and Bronco Plains II facilities are designed to deliver highly granular control so operators can manage plant performance in real time as well as set day-ahead and multi-day-ahead schedules for controlling the plants hour-by-hour.

“Ovation Green SCADA software enables our operators to precisely manage production and optimally dispatch clean energy across our network,” said Phil Armstrong, the power supply manager at Holy Cross Energy. “Integrating data from diverse renewable assets and systems into a single platform has given us access to the insights needed to make critical business decisions. This unified operational view helps us optimise resources, meet member needs, monitor contractual obligations and performance requirements, and support real-time market participation and forecasting.”

To manage Holy Cross Energy’s renewable generation, operators use Emerson’s Ovation Green SCADA to control dispatch of power from the generation sites. Key performance indicator dashboards, battery energy storage system schedulers, PPA and operational compliance dashboards and telemetry and downtime analysis in the software provide a high level of supervisory control over all assets and help users in the 24/7 centralised control centre better understand operations so they can best serve cooperative members.

The software also enables the operations and business teams to quickly sift through large amounts of historical production data in different formats for use in billing, tracking and trending plant performance over time and understanding whether the plants are meeting the requirements of their contracts.

“Member-focused organisations like Holy Cross Energy recognise the importance of seamless digital solutions to manage their complex, multi-faceted operations and provide key business insights,” said Bob Yeager, president of Emerson’s power and water solutions business. “Ovation Green software provides Holy Cross Energy with a single platform for full operational visibility across a variety of generation assets, as well as improved supervisory control to ensure they can continue to deliver the stable, sustainable energy their customers have come to anticipate.”

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@EmersonExchange @holycrossenergy @EMR_Automation @Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Energy 

Quality, innovation and sustainability.

The 7th International Conference on Quality, Innovation and Sustainability (ICQIS 2026) will take place from 10–12 June 2026 at SETU-South East Technological University’s Cork Road, Waterford campus. The event is expected to attract researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners from across Ireland and internationally.

SETU Campus, Waterford, Ireland.

The conference aims to create a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, with a particular focus on how businesses can apply the latest thinking in quality management, innovation, and sustainable practice to drive competitiveness and growth.

Chaired by Dr Patrick Lynch, the conference will feature keynote contributions from internationally recognised experts including Professor Peter Hines and Richard Dawson.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Lynch said the conference offers a valuable opportunity for regional enterprises to connect with global expertise; “ICQIS 2026 will bring world-leading insights directly to the South East. For regional businesses, this is an opportunity to engage with new ideas, share experiences, and explore practical approaches to improving performance, embracing innovation, and advancing sustainability.”

The conference programme is designed to ensure strong industry relevance, with highlights including keynote talks, an industry panel discussion, parallel sessions, and an industry-focused excursion.

On Thursday, 11 June, delegates will visit Lean Industry 4.0 (LI4) and an industry partner to see innovation and quality systems in practice, offering tangible insights for businesses looking to enhance their own operations.

The conference will also include networking opportunities with academics, industry experts, and policymakers, helping to strengthen connections between SETU and the regional enterprise base.

The opening evening will take place at Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum, while the conference gala dinner will be held at the Tower Hotel Waterford.

ICQIS 2026 will explore a wide range of topics relevant to industry, including lean management, artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0 and 5.0, circular economy, and smart management systems. Regional businesses interested in innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth are encouraged to attend.

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@SETUIreland #ICQIS #Conference #Ireland

Ready for EU sustainability rules.

OMRON Electronic Components Europe is scaling product carbon footprint (PCF) reporting across its portfolio, including popular relay and switch lines. The data helps customers strengthen their supply-chain auditing and prepare for forthcoming EU Digital Product Passports.

PCF data is available for a growing number of products, including the G9KB, G6DN, and G9KC relays, and B3SL surface-mount tactile switches, as OMRON continues to calculate data for more products in the portfolio. The rollout strategically prioritises the most popular lines, to maximise early support for customers working towards the EU DPP initiative and other regulations.

The reporting program is one result of the wider DMS Green Project, begun by the OMRON Device & Module Solutions Company (DMS) in Japan to cut environmental impact and CO² emissions. With the goal of turning sustainability obligations into opportunities to share with partners and customers, the project encompasses energy consumption, product design, manufacturing, and supply chain.

Within the DMS Green Project, OMRON built its own PCF calculator leveraging the principles of ISO 14067, the international standard for carbon-footprint quantification. This calculator is now independently approved, and OMRON is making the tool available to supply-chain partners, assisting industry-wide expansion of product-level carbon reporting and reduction. Depending on the product family, OMRON’s PCF results are either third‑party verified or self‑declared based on ISO 14067 to accelerate data availability.

Among the board-mount relays for which PCF data is now available, the G6DN slim power relays pack 5A switching capability in a 5mm-wide package, featuring ultra-reliable crossbar twin contacts. The G9KB series provides bidirectional switching up to 50A at 600V, while the G9KB-E high-capacity variant handles up to 100A at 800V DC. The G9KC is a 4-pole high-power relay rated for 480V AC at 40A, featuring low contact resistance and a 4.0mm contact gap. Finally, the B3SL series surface-mount tactile switches feature an IP67-rated sealed structure with a rubber plunger, designed for a crisp click feeling with a middle stroke.

These products are in full production and target a wide range of applications, including industrial controls and automation, energy storage systems (ESS), domestic appliances, heat pumps and HVAC systems, EV charging stations, smart buildings, and energy infrastructure. To support customers, either third-party verified PCF data or self-declared, a report for each model is available upon request.

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@OmronEurope @OmronComponents @EUPublications @napierPR  #PAuto

Automation in advanced carbon capture project.

Louisiana project will convert forestry waste into reliable, carbon-negative electricity.

Strategic Biofuels’ have chosen Emerson to automate the $2-billion landmark Louisiana Green Fuels (LGF) power facility in Caldwell Parish. The project consists of a wood-fired power plant fully integrated with commercial-scale carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), delivering carbon-neutral electricity to Louisiana’s grid.

At full operation, LGF will convert 1.3 million tons of forestry residuals each year – material that would otherwise be left to decompose or be burned – into renewable baseload power, while capturing and permanently storing 1.1 million metric tons of CO₂ annually in secure geologic formations nearly a mile underground. The project will generate 100 megawatts of clean, dispatchable electricity, positioning Louisiana as a leader in carbon-neutral energy production.

“This project represents a significant milestone in Caldwell Parish and for energy independence to support Louisiana’s future,” said Paul Schubert, Ph.D., Strategic Biofuels CEO. “Emerson is the industry leader in process automation and their extensive experience and expertise in biomass power plants and carbon capture makes them the right partner for our project. We know they will be crucial to this project being completed on schedule.”

To optimise the plant’s integrated operations, Emerson will deploy its DeltaV™ Automation Platform, along with a full suite of advanced automation, measurement and reliability technologies. Emerson’s portfolio – including Rosemount™ smart sensing, control valves, isolation valves, pressure protection devices, Micro Motion™ and Flexim™ flow and gas analysis solutions, and AspenTech® data management software – will provide the high-fidelity visibility and dynamic optimisation tools required for a first-of-its-kind carbon-neutral power system.

“Strategic Biofuels is charting a new course for clean, resilient energy by turning waste biomass into reliable power while permanently removing carbon from the atmosphere,” said Mike Train, Emerson's chief sustainability officer. “Emerson is proud to support this breakthrough project with the automation technologies and CCS expertise needed to ensure safe, efficient and continuous operation of next-generation clean energy facilities.”

With its end-to-end automation capabilities and decades of experience supporting energy transition infrastructure, Emerson will help LGF maximise efficiency, reduce operational risk, and deliver on its mission of creating a replicable, commercially deployable pathway to carbon-neutral energy.

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@EMR_Automation @StrategicBFuels @EmersonExchange @AspenTech @Rosemount_News @Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Power #USA 

Mission to zero progress.

Electrified, energy-efficient production upgrades improve energy productivity while strengthening operational stability .

ABB is advancing its Mission to Zero™ program at its Sasbach manufacturing site in Germany, demonstrating how on-site renewable energy, electrification and digital energy management can deliver meaningful emissions reductions while strengthening energy resilience.

The Sasbach site manufactures enclosures and energy distribution systems for local and regional markets, supporting ABB’s production footprint in Germany. As part of ABB’s global Mission to Zero™ program, the site is implementing a data-led decarbonization roadmap focused on energy efficiency, renewable electricity and smart energy management. Sasbach is one of 37 ABB sites worldwide currently participating in the program, which aims to significantly reduce operational emissions across ABB’s global footprint.

With manufacturing and production accounting for around one-fifth of global carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and accelerating electrification are critical to achieving European climate targets. The Sasbach site shows how manufacturers can reduce emissions while maintaining reliable, competitive operations.

Taken together, the actions implemented at the Sasbach site deliver total CO₂ savings of approximately 3,786 tons. This includes around 2,700 tons of CO₂ savings from the purchase of certified renewable electricity from the grid, alongside annual emissions reductions of approximately 1,086 tons of CO₂ delivered through on-site measures. Of these yearly on-site savings, around 550 tons of CO₂ per year come from on-site solar generation, which has been expanded. The site now operates 3,410 photovoltaic modules, generating around 1,500 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. This is enough to supply approximately 400 homes for a year.

On-site generation will cover close to one-third of the site’s total electricity demand, reducing exposure to volatile energy prices and enhancing long-term energy security. A newly installed transformer station ensures stable and efficient integration of the renewable electricity into the site’s power infrastructure. The remaining reductions are achieved through electrified production upgrades, energy efficiency measures, and digital energy management. Together, these actions are strengthening energy resilience and supporting stable, reliable day-to-day operations.

ABB's Sasbach Plant.

“What we are doing at Sasbach shows how Mission to Zero™ works in practice,” said Mike Mustapha, President, ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division. “By investing in on-site renewables, electrifying our processes and using digital energy management, the site is reducing emissions while also improving energy resilience and day-to-day operational stability. This kind of practical progress is what will matter most for manufacturers navigating the energy transition.”

In parallel, ABB has continued to modernize production processes to reduce energy demand at source. A new powder-coating facility has expanded production capacity while significantly lowering energy requirements. Designed across two levels, the facility incorporates heat recovery and operates with substantially lower installed heating capacity than conventional systems, supporting both efficiency gains and production reliability.

Additional efficiency measures across the site include full LED lighting in production areas, building automation via the ABB i-bus® KNX, waste heat recovery from compressed air systems, and optimized process controls. Twenty-one onsite electric vehicle (EV) charging stations support low-emission mobility for employees and visitors.

Together, these initiatives have significantly improved energy productivity compared with 2019 levels, while helping stabilize operations and reduce operating costs. ABB's Building Automation System (BMS) and energy management solutions bring these measures together, providing real-time visibility into energy use and enabling continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making that supports efficiency, resilience, and operational stability.

Building on these achievements, ABB has defined a clear roadmap for the next phase of decarbonization at Sasbach. Battery storage systems are planned to store excess solar electricity and support production during peak demand and night shifts. Gas-based heating systems are being progressively replaced with electric heat-pump solutions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels over time. The site is also evaluating the potential for on-site wind generation to further strengthen energy self-sufficiency in the future.

The Sasbach site joins ABB’s growing global network of Mission to Zero™ locations spanning Europe, the Americas and Asia. Mission to Zero™ began as a local initiative at ABB’s Lüdenscheid factory in Germany and has since scaled globally. Together, Mission to Zero™ sites are already reducing more than 60,000 tons of CO2e emissions from our operations per year, demonstrating how electrification, digitalization and energy efficiency can deliver measurable progress toward low-carbon manufacturing.

Through continued investment in renewable electricity, electrified processes, and smart energy management, ABB’s Sasbach site is becoming a future-ready manufacturing location that combines environmental responsibility with strong operational performance, supporting a more resilient and efficient industrial base for the region.

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@ABBgroupnews @abb_automation @admiralpr #PAuto #Sustainability #Germany

Sustainability calculator.

Rockwell Automation’s Sustainability Calculator for Repairs enables manufacturers to factor CO2e emissions and waste reduction into the lifecycle management of industrial assets. The calculator provides estimates based on the globally standardised GHG Protocol for the amount of carbon emissions, energy, and waste that would be saved by repairing an asset instead of replacing it.

In FY25, Rockwell’s Sustainability Calculator estimated a total of 4.12M kg CO2e avoided emissions and 273K kg avoided waste for our customers as a result of them choosing to remanufacture or repair industrial assets. See the company’s 2025 Sustainability Report.

“The Sustainability Calculator for Repairs makes it simple for manufacturers to quantify and track sustainability metrics aligned with industry standards like the GHG Protocol’s global framework for scope 3 emissions,” said Abhishek Mehrotra, Lifecycle Services integrated customer experience manager.

The calculator is now available in most regions worldwide for Rockwell customers. Manufacturers can get a preview of their potential savings at no cost using the Sustainability Calculator for Repairs to explore the benefits of incorporating repair and remanufacturing into their operations to support their sustainability goals.

CPG manufacturer reduces CO2e emissions and hazardous waste with repair.
A global consumer packaged goods (CPG) company wanted to quantify the environmental impact of repairing industrial automation assets in one of their plants in Britain. Rockwell collaborated with this customer to better understand the sustainability issues and challenges driving their need to take action and improve operations visibility. Based on insights from Rockwell’s Sustainability Calculator, the manufacturer decided to leverage Rockwell Automation repair services, resulting in an estimated 91% reduction in CO2e emissions and avoidance of 8% of hazardous waste being sent to a landfill.

The CPG manufacturer was also able to quantify the environmental impact of their Scope 3 emissions, specifically Category 1 (purchased goods and services) and Category 4 (upstream transportation) using Rockwell’s Sustainability Calculator for Repairs.

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@ROKAutomation @ROKAutoEMEA #PAuto #Sustainability.

Sustainability in communications & networking recognised.

Moxa Europe has achieved silver status in the 2025 EcoVadis Sustainability Rating, a recognition awarded to the top 15% of over 150,000 companies evaluated by EcoVadis. Moxa received an overall score of 76 out of 100, essentially placing it in the top 7% of all companies assessed globally by EcoVadis. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Moxa’s sustainability journey, as the company progressed from receiving a Committed Badge in 2024 to a Silver Medal in 2025.

EcoVadis provides trusted business ratings for enterprises across over 220 industries and assesses outstanding performance in four sustainability areas: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. This recognition acknowledges Moxa’s effective sustainability management, demonstrated through its policies, actions, and results, as well as a commitment to value-chain transparency.

Compared to its 2024 assessment, Moxa has made substantial advancements this year by enhancing its sustainability efforts through more effective supplier-level actions across all categories evaluated by EcoVadis. Moxa has actively implemented and maintained policies that ensure:

• Ethical Conduct: Refining the Moxa Code of Conduct for operational integrity and a commitment to enhancing the company's information security management system while maintaining compliance with ISO 27001.
• Environmental Sustainability: Emphasising environmental initiatives like carbon inventories and energy-saving initiatives, guided by verified SBTi net-zero targets, alongside dedicated implementation of green product design and sustainable packaging.
• Labour Practices: Developing a human rights policy, conducting human rights due diligence, advocating against the prevention of child and forced labour, and upholding ISO 45001 certification.
• Responsible Supply Chain Management: Developing robust Sustainable Procurement Policy and a Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes environmental and social standards in supplier contracts, driving supplier sustainability risk evaluations, and improving their capabilities.

Ongoing initiatives to improve business sustainability are delivering positive results, lowering risks, and reinforcing sustainability practices across the supply chain. As a result, Moxa’s EcoVadis silver rating acknowledges its accomplishments and marks a significant milestone in its progress and also represents a considerable win for Moxa's customers and partners.

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@Moxa_Europe @ecovadis #Sustainability #Pauto

Energy storage breakthrough.

Described as a milestone for lithium-free battery technology, a complete battery system demonstrator based on aluminum-graphite-dual-ion batteries (AGDIB) has been realised. This proves the stability of the new battery cell chemistry not only in a laboratory environment, but also in a more realistic scenario. The rechargeable AGDIB battery cells are a safe low-cost energy storage technology and follow the design-for-recycling approach, making them a future-proof lithium alternative for high power applications like dynamic grid stabilisation.

From cell to recycling: integrated value chain for an innovative battery system.
The rising demand for electrical energy – driven, for example, by the need to store and balance renewable energy – calls for suitable storage solutions. The rechargeable aluminum-graphite-ion battery (AGDIB) meets this need with its low-cost and easily available active materials aluminum and graphite. As a high-power storage device, the AGDIB can be charged and discharged in a very short time at high rates. This makes the AGDIB ideal for applications such as dynamic grid stabilisation, where batteries are used to balance frequency fluctuations with many low-energy micro cycles that favor high power performance over high energy density.

Aluminum-graphite-dual-ion battery system consisting of pouch cells, battery module, battery management system and quantum sensor.

While many new Li-free battery technologies are examined on lab-size cell level, battery system demonstrators employing new cell chemistries remain rare. However, such a battery system demonstrator based on AGDIB has now been set up within the INNOBATT project after scaling the technology to small-size pouch cells in previous research projects first. The development of this innovative battery system focuses on the whole value chain, from a sustainable Li-free cell chemistry over integration of wireless battery management system (BMS) and bidirectional quantum-based current sensor technologies to recyclability considerations.

Demonstrator validates stability of new Al-ion battery cells.
In a realistic test case, the INNOBATT demonstrator proves the stability of the new type battery cells. Integrating eight AGDIB pouch cells with a wireless BMS based on the open source BMS platform foxBMS® from Fraunhofer IISB* with secure radio frequency based (RF) communication, the prototype also features a novel diamond-based quantum sensor for high-resolution current measurement.

AGDIB active materials and cell design were improved to increase stability and reliability of the cells and ensure reproducible performance metrics. This allowed for a proper cell matching despite the manual manufacturing technology. The battery module was assembled in 4s2p configuration, employing a BMS-Slave with a safe wireless RF communication to the BMS-Master. The quantum sensor is based on NV-centers in diamond. In comparison to conventional current sensors, the measuring range covers five orders of magnitudes. Consequently, both small and large dynamical currents can be measured with a very high resolution.

This battery system successfully validates the Al-ion based cell chemistry and its high-power capabilities for grid stabilisation applications. Previously obtained results on cell level could be verified within the whole battery module by emulating instantaneous reserve applications based on real frequency data. The system proves stable performance with dynamic high current loads at 10C over long time periods and therefore demonstrates AGDIB’s ability for upscaling via successful cell manufacturing, cell interconnection and system integration. A major advantage of AGDIB is that it allows for very high discharge rates and, unlike many established battery systems, also high charging rates, as required for grid applications (e.g. providing virtual inertia).

The recyclability of the cells and modules was carefully considered during development. Cell recyclability was assessed through a physical separation process that eliminates the use of toxic chemicals, thereby facilitating the establishment of closed material cycles. The module design followed a design-for-recycling strategy, surpassing current EU regulatory requirements for battery recycling efficiencies and leading to the advancement and demonstration of this sustainable energy storage system.

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*The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB is one of Europe’s leading research institutions for wide-bandgap semiconductors and power electronics, covering the complete value chain. The spectrum ranges from basic materials, semiconductor devices and process technologies, power electronic modules and components to complex power electronic and energy systems.

@FraunhoferIIS @UnnGmbh #Energy #Power

Award-winning sustainability management.

Getriebebau NORD GmbH & Co. KG in Bargteheide has been awarded the EcoVadis gold medal this year. Having scored 78/100 points, the drive manufacturer is part of the top 4% of all globally rated companies while raising its score by 10 points compared to last year.

As an independent family business, NORD has always been standing for a long-term approach, integrity and reliability. These values also influence the sustainability management of our drive systems experts. “The golden EcoVadis award is an impressive testimony to our extensive efforts. But instead of resting on our laurels, we see this as motivation to consequently continue our way of responsible business management”, Jörg Niermann, Head of Marketing at NORD, emphasises. “In accordance with our principles, for the sake of future generations and in the interest of our customers worldwide.”

Focus on CO_₂e-reduction NORD scored 85/100 points in the “Environment” category, thus achieving the highest individual rating. The rated measures range from use of renewable energies and recovery of waste heat over energy-efficient production up to detailed CO₂e-reports according to Scope 1 to 3.

In the “Ethics” category, the company managed to impress with extensive guidelines and concrete measures such as trainings in corruption prevention, transparent procedures for data protection and established whistleblowing systems. A clear set of values helps guide our actions as a business and builds trust with our employees, partners and customers.

NORD's promotion of fair working conditions positively influenced the final score as well. Compliance with a collective payment agreement or flexible working time models are part of our thriving business culture. We especially emphasise topics such as health, safety and equality through trainings, for example.

Through clear guidelines for sustainable procurement, risk assessments, audits and trainings, the company also integrates suppliers into its sustainability concept. For example, conflict minerals are transparently monitored and assessed. The goal of our company is to establish a socially and ecologically responsible supply chain based on partnership.

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@NORD_Drive @mepaxIntPR #EcoVadis #Sustainability #Pauto

New robots offer significant performance and sustainability benefits.

Industrial robot portfolio is the most comprehensive in the market - 11 next generation robot families offering 60 variants.

The large robot portfolio from ABB Robotics is expanding with the launch of their IRB 6730S, IRB 6750S and IRB 6760. The introduction of these new robots, alongside the wider portfolio of next generation robots launched since 2022, now means the company can offer its customers the most comprehensive lineup of in-dustrial robots and variants on the market. The lineup of 11 next generation robot families comprising 60 variants offers customers new levels of flexibility and choice as well as class-leading performance and sus-tainability benefits.

“The launch of our new robots supports our vision that ‘versatility' will be the defining factor for robotics in 2025,” said Marc Segura, President - Robotics Division at ABB. “This market-leading range of industrial robots and variants, coupled with our comprehensive portfolio of mechatronic platforms, cobots, and AMRs, ensures we are ideally placed to support our customers as we enter a new world of increased productivity and flexibility. And our automation solutions can help companies to address challenges such as labor shortages while supporting sustainable operations.”

The IRB 6730S and IRB 6750S are both shelf-mounted robots and have been designed to support an increase in robot density in the production line. Capable of handling industry-leading payloads of up to 350 kg, the shelf robots can be installed at a height (or on a second floor) and can work with floor-mounted robots to maximize productivity. In addition, the robots provide excellent full vertical and horizontal motion to increase downward reach, making them ideal to optimize the space for die casting, injection molding, and spot welding for use in automotive, foundry, construction, and general manufacturing industries.

The new IRB 6760, a member of ABB’s latest generation of press tending robots, is the highest performance solution to date for mid-sized press lines. When combined with ABB’s carbon-fiber tooling boom, it can boost production output to a market-leading rate of up to 15 strokes per minute or 900 parts per hour. The IRB 6760 press tending robot is recommended for automotive, electronics and general manufacturing industries. All three new robots are powered by OmniCoreTM, ABB’s advanced controllers for automation, delivering a 20% reduction1 in energy consumption and class-leading performance. For example, the IRB 6750S in conjunction with an OmniCoreTM controller can deliver path accuracy down to 0.9 mm.

The comprehensive lineup of next generation robots has been launched to work in partnership to further optimize plant performance. For example, ten IRB 6730S or IRB 6750S shelf-mounted robots can work in unison with eight floor-mounted IRB 6710~IRB 6740 robots to increase the number of spot welds on a car body from 70 to 80 joints in just 15 seconds, compared to predecessors. In addition, the groundbreaking modular design of the lineup can help reduce total cost of ownership through shared spare parts and service tools.

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@ABBRobotics @ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation @NapierPR  #Robotics #PAuto

Energy storage for months at a time.

The first commercial-scale AirBattery project in Germany is to be built by Augwind Energy. The facility will be the world’s first industrial-scale operational installation of Augwind’s AirBattery Hydraulic Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) technology designed specifically for grid-scale storage for up to months at a time - a game-changer for the global energy transition.

In regions in central Europe, long periods of low solar and wind output known as ‘Dunkelflautes’ severely challenge grid stability. Augwind’s AirBattery offers a resilient buffer, providing backup for up to months helping utilities, grid operators and traders to deal with renewables intermittency and stabilise electricity markets.

Or Yogov

“This is more than a project; it’s a milestone for achieving net zero," declares Or Yogov, Founder & CEO of Augwind (pictured).  "With the AirBattery, we’re introducing a storage solution that finally matches the scale and rhythm of renewable energy. Germany’s redundant salt caverns, industrial leadership, and climate ambition make it the perfect launchpad for our first commercial deployment. Our goal is to become Europe’s preferred partner for multiweek storage solutions. With this German launch, we are proving that long term energy storage to balance the grid is not only technically feasible, but it’s economically sound.”

This revolutionary AirBattery system combines two well-established technologies in an innovative way: it merges pumped hydroelectric principles with compressed air storage, circulating water between underground chambers to compress and decompress air at vast scales (see video below).

Excess energy is used to compress air to pressures from 50 bar all the way to above 200 bar, depending on the demand and geomorphic structure of the cavern, and feed the pressurised air into vast underground caverns, larger than the Empire State building. The excess renewable energy is effectively stored for times that the sun doesn’t shine, and the wind doesn't blow with a typical cavern having the potential to store enough compressed air to generate 3-8 GWh of electricity.

The energy is recovered from the system by simply returning the high-pressure air back through the water filled chambers, streaming the water to spin a turbine and generate electricity. Augwind has already reached a 47% AC-to-AC round-trip efficiency at its AirBattery demonstration facility in Israel, validating that commercial installations will exceed 60%.

Their first commercial scale AirBattery facility will be built in Germany and will utilize a mined salt cavern suited for such long-duration energy storage. The cavern will serve as a low-cost, high-capacity compressed-air reservoir, enabling scalable and cost-effective energy storage for up to several months, a vital capability as Europe races to increase renewable energy penetration beyond 50%.

With an initial target commissioning window of 2027–2028, Augwind is now working closely with local cavern owners, utilities, energy traders and industrial off takers to secure permitting and finalize the system design. The project will not only showcase the techno-economic viability of Augwind’s Hydraulic CAES but also lay the groundwork for broader deployment across Europe by 2030.

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@Influenceemob #Augwind #Energy #Sustainability

Excellence in energy efficiency.

Wisconsin state energy efficiency program recognises foundry for outstanding commitment to saving energy

Emerson's Appleton Group iron casting facility has received a 2025 Energy Excellence Award from Focus on Energy®. The award recognizes companies in that US state that go above and beyond basic energy efficiency solutions, both within their own organizations and those they support. As one of 11 recipients, the South Milwaukee foundry proves how energy-efficient industrial facilities can reduce costs, contribute to a healthier environment and strengthen local economies.

“Emerson's foundry shows that even energy-intensive operations can be leaders in energy efficiency,” said Erin Soman, managing director of Focus on Energy. “This award isn’t just about saving energy – it’s about people coming together to think differently about how we use energy and what that means for Wisconsin’s future.”

LtoR: Doug Presny, CleanTech Partners; Joe Pater, Wisconsin Public Service Commission; Paul Kling, Focus on Energy; John Schuster, Emerson; Bob Axtell, Emerson; Bill Bolhuis, Franklin Energy; Chris Larson, Chris Jansen, Wisconsin State Senator, District 7; Jim Garbowski, WEC Energy Group. 

Focus on Energy is the statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy program for businesses and residents in Wisconsin. It offers a range of rebates and incentives for energy-saving technologies as well as services that help organizations reduce energy use and costs.

The Appleton foundry, which manufactures electrical fittings, enclosures and other cast products for electrical infrastructure, has worked with the Focus on Energy initiative since 2017. In that time, the partnership has made it possible for the foundry to identify, evaluate, design and implement many successful energy efficiency and utility cost-savings projects.

These updates include new controls on its makeup air units, the replacement of channel furnaces with cordless induction melting furnaces and the replacement of over 800 fluorescent lights with Appleton industrial LED fixtures. Combined, the energy improvements save the facility over 10,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), 65,000 million British thermal units (MMBtu) and $1 million in energy costs annually. The team also identified nearly $350,000 in energy-related incentives throughout this period.

The foundry team’s commitment to optimizing energy efficiency has cut the facility’s total energy consumption and emissions by about a third since 2017, drastically reducing its own emissions and operating expenses. These reductions are especially significant given that the century-old foundry had been among the largest energy-consuming facilities across all of Emerson.

“The Energy Efficiency Excellence award highlights the dedication of our team to improve our own environmental impact, support our cost reductions in Wisconsin’s energy system and work with external organizations to move toward a more sustainable future,” said John Schuster, plant manager at Emerson’s discrete automation business. “What we've achieved in South Milwaukee is a success story for the Emerson portfolio, as well as for the castings industry overall. It’s an honor to be acknowledged in this way.”

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• See also: Innovative BMS at foundry recognised. (20/6/1025)

@AppletonEC @EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @focusonenergy #Energy #Sustainability #USA 

How sustainable is Ai?

Strategies to decarbonise artificial intelligence

The accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (Ai) is driving up energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the Ai value chain, raising urgent concerns about its long-term sustainability and the environmental impact on tech giants. In response, new research outlines key strategies to decarbonize Ai, focusing on improvements in energy sourcing, data centre infrastructure, and technology innovation, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest Strategic Intelligence report, “GlobalData’s Decarbonizing AI Framework,” identifies the areas where the energy use of AI-related activities can be reduced and outlines the strategies for achieving these reductions, thus enhancing the overall sustainability and operational efficiency of data centers (DCs).

Martina Raveni, Strategic Intelligence Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Growing power demands for AI applications drive up data centers' energy consumption and carbon footprint. Data centers have various options to shift to low-carbon energy. Renewable energy and small modular nuclear reactors are emerging as the most viable solutions for sustainable power generation.”

As Ai and generative Ai workloads grow more complex and resource-intensive, the energy required to train and run these models places a significant strain on data center capacity.

Designing, building, and managing data center facilities sustainably is essential, with key strategies including placing data centers in cooler climates or areas rich in renewable energy, and using liquid cooling systems in Ai processing zones to lower power consumption.

Raveni concludes: “The most significant advances to improve AI model efficiency come from innovative chip manufacturing and design, small language models (SLMs) trained for specific industries and tasks, and optimizing training and inference processes. On the training side, reinforcement learning and joint embedding predictive architecture (JEPA) reduce energy consumption. On the inference side, innovative techniques can reduce energy costs per query.”

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@Technology_GD #PAuto #Ai

Environmental product declaration for distributed control.

Helping process industries make informed decisions that align with sustainabilty targets.

ABB has published its first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the AC 800M family of controllers. This marks a key milestone in industrial automation, with ABB becoming the first company to publish an externally verified EPD for industrial controllers used in distributed control systems (DCS).

The introduction of the EPD for the AC 800M controllers is crucial for industrial customers looking to meet regulatory requirements and corporate sustainability goals. An EPD is a standardized document that provides detailed information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study completed for developing the Type III EPD for AC 800M controllers was done in accordance with ISO standards and is based on the EN standard for electrical and electronic products.

ABB’s AC 800M controllers sit at the heart of ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system and Compact Product Suite, offering agile and scalable process control. They are designed to handle the demands of various industrial environments, providing robust performance and high availability across a wide range of critical process industries, including energy, chemicals, power generation, water, pharmaceuticals, metals and others.

“Helping our customers across industries operate leaner and cleaner is at the heart of everything we do at ABB,” said Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President, Process Automation Technology, ABB. “We are dedicated to providing transparent information that enables our customers to meet regulatory requirements and achieve their sustainability goals. This EPD is a testament to this commitment and represents an important step toward greater transparency and accountability in industrial automation.”

The EPD covers the range of nine models within the AC 800M controller family. Each model features dual Ethernet ports and IP20 protection and meets key international environmental directives, including those related to hazardous substances, chemical safety, and electronic waste.

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@ABBgroupnews @ABB_Energy @ABBelec @abb_automation @admiralpr #PAuto #ISustainability 

Don't throw away those probes...

The measurement technology company Vaisala and the logistics services provider H.Essers have cooperated to develop a bespoke monitoring solution for multiple sites across Europe, with a focus on sustainability.

In addition to protecting the environmental conditions experienced by goods throughout the supply chain, the monitoring solution also allows for humidity and temperature probes to be reused. By helping to ensure sustainable consumption and production, the project seeks to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12. “This is an important development,” explains Vaisala’s Patrick Hoevenaars. “At Vaisala our central purpose is: ‘Taking every measure for the planet’ so we are constantly looking for ways to improve sustainability, and one of the ways we can do this is by reducing waste,” he adds.

“The solution starts with product design, because probes can only be reused if they are robust and reliable in the long-term.” However, Hoevenaars is also keen to emphasise the importance of ongoing calibration and maintenance. “Reliability and sustainability cannot be optimised under a ‘fit and forget’ scenario, so we worked closely with H.Essers to develop an ongoing program to ensure that sensors are maintained in optimal condition.”

Background.
Founded in Belgium in 1928, H.Essers remains a family-owned business, but with more than 7,500 people at 89 facilities in 18 countries, the company has grown to become one of Europe’s leading logistics services providers for industries such as chemicals, healthcare, and infrastructure. With services including pharmaceutical logistics, dangerous goods storage, and temperature-controlled storage, the business has a significant requirement for multi-site environmental monitoring and control.

Strategically, H.Essers aims to build long-term client partnerships with a strong commitment to its people and sustainability. This philosophy is reflected in the company’s relationship with Vaisala, which was established to create a cost-effective, accurate and reliable long-term monitoring solution across multiple sites. In addition, key objectives included the development of a system that would be quick and easy to operate.

“From the start, our relationship with H.Essers focused on building a solution for the long-term,” explains Hoevenaars. “The main aim, with our consultative approach, was to help H.Essers choose/configure the right continuous monitoring system (CMS) for their business, supported by lifecycle services that ensure longevity and sustainability. At Vaisala, we want to be a complete solution provider; a partner delivering other services such as training and calibration, rather than simply being an equipment supplier.”

Continuous monitoring to meet the strictest requirements.
H.Essers’ multi-client warehouses provide a one-stop-shop service that meets the strict requirements of customers, providing safe, compliant, high-quality storage. Monitoring therefore performs a critically important role, and the internal environment at the company’s facilities benefit from Vaisala’s viewLinc CMS with humidity and temperature probes (HMP115) with VaiNet wireless access points (AP10).

“The movement and storage of goods within the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors is strictly regulated,” Hoevenaars says. “H.Essers therefore has to be able to demonstrate that all products have been kept in exactly the right conditions throughout the entire supply chain. This demands precise, reliable measurement of humidity and temperature.”

A partnership approach.
The key to the success of this process, was to develop a system that would continue to deliver benefits in the long-term. This necessitated a partnership approach, including a clear strategy for the maintenance and calibration of the hundreds of measuring devices used across H.Essers’ warehouses. “Calibrating and maintaining measuring equipment on this scale is a complex task, so we worked with H.Essers to develop a solution that would make the process as easy and worry-free as possible,” Hoevenaars explains. “This was achieved through a ‘Calibration Care’ agreement, tailored to meet H.Essers’ specific needs.”

With tens of warehouses and thousands of square meters of carefully controlled storage space to be monitored, large numbers of sensors would be necessary, and minimal downtime was required for probe calibration. Vaisala sensors are designed for long-term drift-free accuracy, however, for warehouse zones storing pharma products, each sensor should have a calibration check after 12 months.

Bespoke monitoring solution.
Vaisala developed a unique solution for H.Essers based on the timely swapping out and replacement of probes. Procedures were established to ensure that H.Essers staff are automatically notified when a probe is due for calibration, so that they can quickly and simply order replacements and return the used probes to Vaisala for recalibration.

“The teams at H.Essers have a dedicated order code and a clear order placement procedure to ensure they get the right product and service every time,” explains Hoevenaars, adding: “The Vaisala probes are designed to facilitate quick and easy replacement to minimise downtime. All of the instructions for how to return the probe are available online, and feedback from H.Essers indicates that this is saving them a lot of time and effort.”

Given the importance of accuracy, many companies would discard old probes and replace them. However, the Vaisala probes are designed specifically for long-term stability and reliability, so the plan is for swapped out probes to be recalibrated ready for reuse.

The opportunity to reuse probes instead of disposing of them after 12 months will save resources and reduce waste. “These are high-quality instruments, so it makes perfect sense to reuse the probes instead of replacing them,” Hoevenaars points out. “We estimate that as many as 500 probes per year could be reused by H.Essers as a result of this solution.”

Sustainable by design.
Patrick Hoevenaars is keen to highlight the importance of building sustainability into the design stage of measurement instruments. “By developing sensors that can undergo a calibration check and then be passed as suitable for reuse, Vaisala has created a scenario in which sustainability opportunities have been created. These include waste reduction, energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction,” he says.

Hoevenaars also attributes the success of this project to the partnership approach adopted by H.Essers. “They share our commitment to sustainability, and from the outset they could see the benefits of developing a long-term plan to meet their strict monitoring requirements, whilst also providing the flexibility they need to scale up as their business continues to grow.”

After successfully piloting the Vaisala solution at two of its sites in spring 2023, H.Essers has now rolled it out across sites in Italy, Romania, Denmark, and Germany.

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@VaisalaGroup @GlobalGoalsUN @_Enviro_News #HEssers #Sustainability #Wharehouse

Easing pressure and improving efficiency in Datacentres.

Anu Kätkä an expert in environmental monitoring and control from Vaisala, explains how Datacentre companies can respond to external pressures by utilizing the latest measurement technologies to optimize both energy efficiency and operational uptime.

The datacentre sector is experiencing unprecedented pressure from a number of directions. Customers are demanding the highest levels of performance and sustainability, alongside financial, environmental and political pressure to improve energy efficiency. At the same time, recent growth in the demand for Datacentres is set to accelerate further with increasing investment in AI infrastructure, and growing concern about a lack of capacity in AI-ready Datacentres.

Reducing CO₂ emissions through sensor selection.

Datacentres account for at least 1% of global electricity consumption, so notwithstanding escalating energy costs, and in the context of climate change, it is essential that Datacentres are able to optimize their energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions.

Up to 40% of energy consumption in Datacentres is used for cooling and air conditioning. So, reduction in energy use for these purposes will help to improve energy efficiency. However, the performance of computers and servers in Datacentres can be adversely affected if there is insufficient cooling – overheating can cause IT equipment to fail, resulting in significant and costly downtime. A fine balance therefore exists between minimising the energy consumption of cooling operations and maximising the uptime of IT equipment. This is why accurate, reliable sensors play such an important role.

The control of HVAC systems can only be as accurate and precise as the sensors upon which they depend. If the measurements are inaccurate, the output of the building management system (BMS) controller will also be inaccurate. If a poor-quality sensor gives an incorrectly high temperature reading, the controller will react by over cooling and thereby increasing energy costs and emissions. If the same sensor gives an incorrectly low reading, cooling will be insufficient, which can lead to IT equipment working inefficiently or even breaking down.

Measurement stability is key to long-term performance.
It is important to remember that measurement precision is not just about accuracy at the time of installation. All sensors drift over time, to a greater or lesser degree, so measurement stability is vitally important. Some sensor suppliers claim very high accuracy, but they may not have high stability, which means that measurements from these sensors will damage energy efficiency, even after a short period. Good-quality sensors provide accurate measurements that remain accurate in the long term. By ensuring the controller has accurate inputs it is possible to precisely control indoor conditions and optimize energy efficiency.

Highlighting the importance of sensor accuracy, Vaisala participated in a simulation based on three real Datacentres in Europe, and found that a setpoint temperature difference of just 1°C (resulting from imprecise sensors) could increase annual energy usage by as much as 8.5%.

An important point to note here, is that the cost of high-quality sensors is insignificant (and almost non-existent) in comparison with both the energy efficiency that they enable and with the value of the IT assets that they help protect.

Take advantage of weather forecasts.
By anticipating upcoming hot weather, Datacentres can use predictive cooling to avoid early chiller startup, make optimal use of free cooling, and reduce chiller operating hours. This proactive approach translates into further energy savings and a lower carbon footprint.

Change sensors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cabling.
Typically, the internal environments of Datacentres are monitored by hundreds or even thousands of sensors, and each instrument needs a connection with the BMS controller so that it can report the measurement values. Sensors with analog signals require a dedicated cable from each sensor to the controller. However, if operators can switch to a fieldbus connection it becomes possible to daisy-chain the instruments so that only one cable is needed, and thereby dramatically reduce the cabling requirement. For example, a 100-meter aisle with 30 instruments, each with dedicated cables spaced three meters apart, with a three-meter cable drop, would require 1695 meters of cable weighing 110 kg. However, in stark contrast, a fieldbus communication protocol would allow sensors to be daisy-chained, requiring just 187 meters of cable, weighing just 12 kg. That amounts to 89% less cabling, which leads to more efficient power distribution and lower energy losses; reducing energy consumption and lowering CO₂ emissions.

How to choose a sensor provider.
Most reputable businesses are looking to lower their greenhouse gas emissions – in their own processes, in the use of their products, and in their supply chains. Consequently, when choosing sensors, it makes sense to look for a provider with a sustainability focus. For example, Vaisala's instruments are produced using renewable electricity and the company has set science-based targets for reducing emissions. In 2024 Vaisala received a gold medal from EcoVadis for its sustainability management system, and Vaisala has been ranked 38th in the 2025 edition of the World’s Best Companies – Sustainable Growth ranking by TIME Magazine and Statista.

The challenge: uptime is non-negotiable.
Both temperature and humidity levels must be very carefully maintained to achieve the uptime requirements of large Datacentres. However, larger data halls can be more challenging to monitor because they have a greater potential for temperature variation - meaning it's important that there are sufficient numbers of temperature sensors to ensure that all servers are monitored. In addition to the temperature issues discussed above, IT equipment is also adversely affected by humidity. Low levels increase the risk of static electricity, while high levels of humidity can result in condensation, both of which can damage delicate equipment. Datacentres often have no maintenance workers onsite, so equipment reliability is crucial.

With Vaisala equipment currently operating on the planet Mars, the long-term reliability of Vaisala sensors in remote locations is beyond question. In addition, Vaisala has developed portable reference probes so that Datacentre maintenance staff can perform a quick calibration check on installed sensors. Vaisala equipment does not therefore need to be sent offsite for calibration, and service staff do not need to bring large amounts of equipment onsite – a useful feature for remote locations.

Summary.
Accurate, stable sensors, weather forecast utilization, daisy chaining with fieldbus connectivity, and sustainability-focused supply chains all contribute to operational reliability and therefore uptime, whilst also minimizing CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, Vaisala is a global leader in measurement instruments, with unsurpassed sustainability credentials, defining its core purpose as: taking every measure for the planet.

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@VaisalaGroup @_Enviro_News #Datacentres #Sustainability