Ai reshapes performance in Energy.

Delaying adoption will drive up operating costs, as the sector races to manage inflation and a retiring workforce.

New research highlighting a powerful combination of pressures pushing autonomous operations to the top of the agenda for the energies and chemicals sector has just been published by Schneider Electric. The study of 400 senior energy and chemicals executives across 12 countries shows a sharp rise in urgency around autonomy. A third of executives (31.5%) say advancing autonomy is a ‘critical’ priority in the next five years, rising to 44% over a ten-year horizon. Fewer than 5% globally view it as a low priority. Leaders cite strong commercial pressures. They warn that delaying adoption risks higher operating costs (59%), worsening talent shortages (52%), and declining competitiveness (48%). Yet adoption is not without obstacles. Key barriers include high upfront costs (34%), legacy systems (30%), organisational resistance (27%), cybersecurity concerns (26%), and regulatory uncertainty (25%).

Schneider Electric’s Global Autonomous Maturity Report shows the sector at a critical point of transformation as electrification, automation, and digitalisation converge. Surging AI demand, driven predominantly by hyperscale cloud and data center growth, is placing unprecedented pressure on global energy systems. Electricity demand is projected to nearly double to 1,000 TWh by 2030, intensifying the need for flexible, efficient, and resilient operations.

Within this emerging Ai energy nexus, 49% of executives identify Ai as the single biggest enabler of autonomous acceleration, followed by cybersecurity advancements, cloud and edge computing, digital twins, advanced process control, and open, software-defined automation. “Globally, organisations already report operating at 70% autonomy, with plans to hit 80% by 2030,” said Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive Vice President, Schneider Electric. “Autonomy is rapidly becoming the new operating model of industry. As AI advances and energy systems come under growing pressure, autonomous operations are proving essential for resilience and competitiveness. And this shift isn’t about replacing people, it’s about empowering them to focus on higher value work, strengthening safety, and elevating skills. Those who scale now will shape the next era of industrial performance.”

Industry analysts agree the shift is further along than expected. “The report finds the adoption of autonomy in the sector to be more advanced than expected, with open, software-defined automation essentially leading the next phase of energy innovation”, added Gaurav Sharma, Independent Energy Market Analyst and contributor to the research. “In a sector where reliability, safety, and carbon reduction are now non‑negotiable, these technologies are emerging as the most effective way for operators to deliver ‘more with less’ and run more resilient and competitive operations.”

The momentum is clear, but progress uneven, with the data highlighting regional differences in readiness levels. While GCC countries and Asia currently lead in maturity, North America is set for the fastest acceleration in adoption over the next five years, powered by its scale in energy production and consumption, and its rapidly expanding data‑center footprint. Europe maintains steady progress but faces the slowest adoption trajectory.

“Autonomous operations are redefining how energy and chemicals companies run their entire facilities, and Schneider Electric and AVEVA are at the forefront of that shift, supporting customers such as Shell, European Energy, ADNOC and Baosteel on real‑world deployments,” said Devan Pillay, President of Schneider’s Heavy Industries Segment. “By integrating Schneider Electric’s process control and power management with AVEVA’s digital technologies and industrial intelligence, we deliver integrated software-defined architectures that provide real-time visibility and enable AI driven digital twins that can predict, adapt and self-optimise with minimal intervention.”

Recent deployments showcase this shift. At Shell’s Scotford Refinery in Canada, Schneider Electric is helping modernise operations through open, software‑defined automation, supporting more flexible, autonomous operations. At European Energy’s Kassø Power‑to‑X facility, the world’s first commercially viable e‑methanol plant, Schneider Electric and AVEVA are together enabling Ai‑supported, self‑optimising clean‑fuel operations with resilient remote monitoring.

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• The research was commissioned in partnership with Censuswide and Development Economics, supported by insights from Independent Energy Market Analyst, Gaurav Sharma. It captures insights from 400 senior energy executives across 12 countries in four key regions — North America, Europe, Asia, and the GCC — supported by desk research and conversations with industry stakeholders and commentators across the global energy and chemicals sector

• The framework used in the study is the Autonomous Operations Maturity Model (AOMM) developed by ARC Advisory Group, which outlines a five-step hierarchy for adoption of autonomous technology, with Level 5 representing full autonomy.

@SchneiderElec @censuswide @SteveDevtEcons @arc_advisory #PAuto 

Motion control and PLC.

The new Trio Motion-PLC series, availablle from Mclennan, offers a powerful solution as an EtherCAT servo controller for synchronised motion with PLC integrated machine control. As a perfect fit for Mclennan’s motion system design and build service the new Motion-PLC is offered in three model configurations with feature enabled codes (FECs) that competitively address low- to medium-axis count requirements for applications from simple point-to-point positioning systems to complex, tightly synchronised multi-axis stand-alone machines. An integrated slice interface and dedicated expandable digital and analogue I/O slice modules complete the system with programming via IEC61131-3 or TrioBASIC and Trio’s Function Blocks software.

Trio’s Motion-PLC range combines MCS series motion controllers and MS series I/O slice modules. The MCS-30 offers up to 4 motion axes with simple control for point-to-point positioning whilst the MCS 40, along with the higher-performance MCS 50, are 'Flexible Machine Controllers' that will address more complex axis-and machine-synchronised tasks. With the capability for rapid machine development, all MCS series servo controllers feature a slice interface that facilitates seamless integration of Trio’s MS I/O system which supports up to 16 variously configured slice modules of 16 digital inputs or outputs, or blocks of 4 analogue inputs or outputs. Trio’s MS I/O slice modules can also connect to an EtherCAT coupler for flexible integration. The DIN-rail front mounted system features spring clamp connectors with push-button removal that make wiring fast, facilitating quick and flexible machine set-up.

MCS series motion controllers are based on the ARM Cortex A55 processor with a 600MHz clock frequency and 64-bit position register precision for exceptional motion and machine synchronisation, and motion cycle times to 1 ms. The multitasking operating system includes a comprehensive motion library, offering capabilities such as electronic gearbox, axis to axis interpolation, mathematical functions and I/O interaction. Programming is efficiently accomplished using the TrioBASIC motion language or IEC61131 standards. Setup and diagnostics are facilitated through Trio’s Motion Perfect software. The MCS-40 and -50 also supports Uniplay, Modbus TCP, PROFINET IO, and Ethernet/IP protocols. Software tools are available for cam profile generation, robotic kinematic transformations and CAD path conversion, further supporting minimum application development timescales.

This versatile motion control system ensures seamless integration with Trio’s DX series distributed servo drives covering power ranges from 50W to 7.5kW in a choice of three model variants. Complete standalone machine operation can also be realised with Trio’s UNIPLAY HMI 7” and 10” colour touch screen displays.

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@TrioTech @mepaxIntPR #McLennon #PAuto 

Appointment at major distributor.

Maintaining customer interaction with real people who can respond pro-actively to their needs.

Callon O'Keeffe has been appointed to the role of Business Development Administrator (BDA) with Lane Electronics. The appointment is in response to continued business growth and Lane Electronics’ key strategy of bringing new talented staff on board to maintain customer interaction with real people who can respond pro-actively to their needs

Callon is qualified in General Engineering, including electronics, with diplomas from Chichester college. A team player, Callon is responsive to customer’s needs and provides a reliable source of information. He is interested in emerging and evolving technology, enjoys problem solving and values creativity while working collaboratively and building strong relationships. Outside of work he enjoys the countryside and has a passion for travelling and experiencing different cultures

Nick Wheeler, Sales Director of Lane Electronics, says, “As a business development administrator, Callon’s primary objective is following up and assisting with quotations and working alongside our internal and external sales teams. Continuing to build direct relationships with our customers he will be able to help integrate our wide range of products and high levels of customer service and supply adaptability, adding value to our customer’s supply chains."

Lane Electronics have been supplying connectivity solutions for over 50 years; their RF and Fibre-Optic connector and cable assemblies are widely used in defence and security applications. The company is a franchised distributor for many of the industry’s leading electrical and electronic connector manufacturers including EATON Souriau, CINCH Fibreco, HUBER+SUHNER, HellermannTyton, Positronic, Nicomatic and LEMO.

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@FC_Lane @proactivefleet  #PAuto #Electrical

Standard for distributed workflow system integration.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has issued a call for participants to join the new ISA113 Standard Committee, a strategic initiative focused on defining a specification for integrating distributed workflow systems across multiple vendor platforms.*

The ISA113 Standard Committee is being formed to address a growing need for improved interoperability across workflow systems used in industrial organisations. Many teams face a significant burden from bespoke, one-off integration projects required to connect workflow systems. ISA113 aims to create a standard that bridges workflow styles, decouples workflow logic from where work happens, establishes action-based integration for operational technology (OT)/IT workflows and builds a foundation for multi-system orchestration.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is to publish the official call for ISA113 committee members today (20 March 2026)

. The call for interested parties will remain open for 30 days following this publication date. Individuals with relevant expertise and interest in contributing to this effort are encouraged to participate.

One particular area of emphasis for the committee’s work will be enabling interoperability between orchestrated workflows and choreographed workflows. Orchestrated workflows, such as ISA-88-style hierarchical procedures and phases, are widely used in industrial automation and batch control environments. Choreographed workflows, which are common in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), manufacturing execution systems (MES) and broader business process environments, support more distributed and event-driven process coordination. As organisations undergo digital transformation, they increasingly rely on both styles, and the need for seamless integration between them has become more urgent.

“The goal of initiating the ISA113 Standard Committee is to help bridge OT/IT workflow styles,” said Steve Ferguson (right), managing director of standards and technical activities at ISA. “This work has the potential to help organisations improve efficiency, reduce integration risk and support more scalable digital transformation initiatives. A vendor-neutral standard can also foster greater collaboration across suppliers, end users, integrators and software providers.”

ISA welcomes participation from end users, automation suppliers, software vendors, system integrators, consultants and other stakeholders with expertise in workflow systems, industrial automation, MES, BPMN and standards development. Broad representation will be essential to ensuring the resulting standard reflects diverse industry needs and delivers practical value.

Those interested in helping shape the future of distributed workflow interoperability are encouraged to respond during the 30-day ANSI call period.

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* For additional information or to express interest, contact standards@isa.org.

@ISA_Automation @ansidotorg @ISAIreland @automation_com #PAuto #ISA113 #Standards

Touch-protection keeps users safe.

High-current meets high safety.

Robot-human interaction can be a complex field with high safety requirements. Especially when dealing with high-current solutions, the emphasis on user safety cannot be strong enough.

One important aspect is increasing user safety, the other one is keeping product advantages at the same time. That’s why ODU’s new ODU-MAC® Silver-/White-Line high-current modules come with extra features. Up to 255 A and 2.5 kV (PD 2) call for an increase in clearance and creepage. Additionally, IP2X touch-protection has been added to the pin side.

While this optimisation is necessary for any high-current application, the modules have more advantages by using ODU LAMTAC® Flex contacts: a minimum of 100,000 mating cycles and decreased mating forces of up to 10 N.

The benefit for the user: a safe, highly reliable and durable high-current interface, making it ideal for use in AGVs/AMRs, where the ODU-MAC® SilverLine is the interface between robot and the station, or high-power applications in general. Of course, the new modules can be combined with regular ODUMAC® Silver-/White-Line modules to create a modular connector specifically adapted to any customer requirement.

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@ODU_Connectors @UnnGmbh @PresseBox #Robotics #PAuto

Thermographic bundle!

Limited-time campaign initiative gives all-in support.

Under the mission "Smarter Thermal Imaging Starts Here," Flir is pairing its world-class hardware with a comprehensive suite of extended protection, cloud-integrated software, and professional-grade training to ensure every user moves from unboxing to expert-level operation in record time.

The campaign centres on the idea that a powerful camera is only the beginning. Throughout the first half of 2026, purchasers of any eligible Flir Exx-Series or Txxx-Series camera—including all E76, E86, E96, and T5xx or T8xx models—will receive an all-in support package at no additional cost upon product registration of the camera. 

This premium bundle includes a Flir Protect extended warranty that brings total coverage to five years, alongside a choice of high-tier data management tools. Customers can opt for an 18-month Assetlink multi-tenant subscription for advanced fleet coordination or a one-year Ignite Pro license for seamless cloud storage and reporting. To round out the ecosystem, every bundle includes a two-hour instructor-led course from the Infrared Training Centre (ITC), providing users with the specialised knowledge required to maximise their technological investment.

“Our customers are investing in the safety and reliability of their entire operation, not just a piece of hardware” said John Gould, Business Development Director at Flir “By bundling our flagship handhelds with five years of protection, professional software, and expert training, we are removing barriers to expertise and ensuring our users feel fully supported from the moment they open the box”

Flir has also reimagined the registration process to be entirely frictionless for the end-user. Every eligible product box now features a unique QR code that directs customers to a serialised landing page. This intelligent link automatically pre-populates the camera’s serial and part numbers, eliminating the need for manual data entry. Once the one-click registration is completed via the Flir Customer Portal, users are immediately provided with direct redemption links and promo codes to claim their benefits, with all fulfilment handled directly by Flir.

This limited-time initiative is available for eligible Exx, T5xx, and T8xx models purchased and registered until June 30th, 2026. While the promotion covers the core professional handheld range, it does not apply to the T1k-Series.

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@flir @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto

Automising batch production.

Perfect Batch is an Ai-powered manufacturing analytics solution launched by TwinThread. It is designed to optimise batch production processes by empowering manufacturers to standardise and consistently replicate their best performing or “golden batches”.

Unlike legacy systems that rely on passive alerts and static manual settings, Perfect Batch applies industrial AI to dynamically identify ideal batch profiles from historical data and actively recommend actions for increasing efficiency. This enables organisations to rapidly shift from reactive firefighting to proactive optimisation in a matter of weeks – not months or years.

Perfect Batch At-a-Glance

• Rapid Speed to Value: Perfect Batch connects to existing batch execution systems and automatically interrogates past data to build digital twins and apply models in hours.
• Dynamic Perfect Profile Learning: Instead of setting limits manually, Perfect Batch dynamically learns ideal control limits and process centerlines, based on actual process capability and historical performance.
• Unlocked Hidden Capacity: Granular cycle time analysis identifies bottlenecks and lost production time, facilitating capacity improvements from existing assets without new capital investment.
• Optimisation by Exception: Automated alerting and issue diagnosis empowers operations teams to focus on solving problems, without getting bogged down with endless troubleshooting and investigations.
• Optional Closed-Loop Action: Thread Builder, a real-time workflow engine that works with Perfect Batch, automates anomaly responses, performs automatic diagnoses, and can trigger specific corrective actions automatically.
• Automated Compliance: Tailored for regulated industries, Perfect Batch provides automated material tracking, quality and yield conformance, and audit-ready histories.

Perfect Batch furthers TwinThread’s position as a complete industrial AI platform. By continuously monitoring and simultaneously optimising five key dimensions—utilisation, cycle time, quality, process control, and yield—operations teams gain actionable intelligence that helps them drastically reduce investigation times, minimise waste, and accelerate continuous improvement activities. Available in both Simple Batch and Complex Batch tiers, the solution scales easily to meet the needs of process manufacturers of all sizes.

“This solution’s core promise is to empower operations teams to deliver the ideal batch every time, regardless of recipe, shift, or variations in raw materials,” says Erik Udstuen, co-founder and CEO at TwinThread. “By completely automating the discovery of hidden capacity and enabling proactive optimisation, we are giving manufacturers the power to eliminate inconsistencies and maximise financial performance of their existing assets.”

Beyond the plant floor, Perfect Batch helps drive strategic and collaborative alignment across organisations’ entire manufacturing portfolios by providing a global view of asset utilisation and batch making performance. As a result, the platform serves as a single source of truth for cross-functional teams. This offers a common lens that operations teams, engineering teams, and supply chain leaders can all use to identify, prioritise, and proactively execute improvement initiatives that optimise the deployment of capital across the supply network.

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@twin_thread #Ai #PAuto