One hundred times faster than standard.

Photon Design has published a white paper comparing the processing speed and accuracy of the company’s EigenMode Expansion (EME) simulation tools, with the more commonly used, Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) alternative. The white paper uses actual design examples to objectively benchmark both computational methods. 

It concludes that Photon Design’s EME results were equally rigorous as those of leading FDTD vendors, but simulations were completed in around 15 seconds, on a workstation PC, whereas FDTD simulations took many hours. Even with expensive, state-of-the-art cloud GPU, the FDTD simulation took 20 minutes for a 12um radius ring resonator, whereas Photon Design’s EME took just 11s for an even more demanding, 30um ring resonator example.

Dominic Gallagher, CEO of Photon Design, said: “FDTD is the most prevalent computational method used by photonic simulation CAD vendors, but it’s slow to process. The misconception within the industry that FDTD’s longer runtime leads to higher rigour, is clearly dispelled in our white paper. EME and FDTD deliver similar simulation results across a range of devices, however, EME achieves these results significantly faster.

“Processing speed is as important as simulation accuracy, when designing photonic devices. To achieve optimal results, engineers often run more than a hundred separate simulations during the photonic design process, whilst fine tuning a design. EME runtimes make this workflow practical, whereas one hundred FDTD simulations would take many days. To meet time restraints and project deadlines, engineers are often forced to produce a design with fewer iterations with FDTD, compromising the quality of the results.”

Processing speed and accuracy are both key when selecting photonics simulation software, which Photon Design’s EME-based tools provide.

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@photond  #Design #Simulation #PAuto #OptimumPDM

Cybersecurity in Energy.

“Cybersecurity is integral across the oil and gas value chain, for securing data, safeguarding asset integrity, and preventing financial losses.”

Energy infrastructure is a high-value target for cybercriminals. Attacks on critical national infrastructure (CNI) can have an outsized impact, disrupting essential services, causing nationwide instability, and generating financial gains for hackers. As geopolitical uncertainty intensifies, so does cyber espionage, making it crucial for energy companies to invest in resilient cybersecurity programs, says GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

L GlobalData’s Strategic Intelligence report, “Cybersecurity in Energy,” highlights how cybersecurity impacts key challenges in the energy industry. These include digitalization, distributed energy resources (DERs), grid modernization, supply chains, third-party vendors, and geopolitics.

Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Energy companies depend on extensive third-party ecosystems, making supplier vulnerabilities a major cyber risk that can spread into IT and OT environments. Attacks exploiting shared vendor software (e.g., file-transfer tools) have hit major players.”

“Mitigation requires stronger vendor governance, such as continuous monitoring, standards, segmentation, least privilege, audits, and joint incident response.”

GlobalData notes that digitization and the convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) are connecting legacy assets and modern grid technologies, expanding entry points where IT compromises can disrupt operations. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) further increases attacker speed and sophistication, shrinking defenders’ response windows.

Puranik concludes: “Oil and gas firms should invest in specialized cybersecurity services that provide continuous monitoring and rapid response, expert validation, and strong operational readiness. Equipment and oilfield service providers should also add product-focused services such as secure development support and security audits/certification to reduce supply chain risk and maintain customer trust. 

 “Cybersecurity is integral across the oil and gas value chain, for securing data, safeguarding asset integrity, and preventing financial losses.”

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@Technology_GD #PAuto #Energy #Cybersecurity

Five-nines uptime!

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (Ai) training workloads is reshaping the operational and reliability requirements of modern data centres, according to a new white paper from HBK.

Entitled “Ensuring Five-Nines Uptime in the Age of AI,” the paper examines how increasing compute intensity, power variability, and extended training cycles are driving a renewed focus on reliability as a critical factor in sustaining continuous data centre operations.

Traditional data centre architectures were largely designed to handle stable, predictable workloads. However, Ai training introduces dynamic operating conditions, including multi-megawatt power fluctuations within seconds and compute processes that can run continuously for weeks or months.

Under these conditions, even short disruptions can have significant consequences. A single power interruption or cooling failure may require entire training processes to restart, resulting in substantial losses of time and compute resources.

At the same time, financial exposure to downtime is increasing. Service level agreements (SLAs) tied to ultra-high availability frequently impose penalties when uptime falls below 99.999%, while industry data indicates that a notable share of outages exceed $1 million in total cost.

The white paper highlights a shift in how uptime is viewed across the sector. No longer purely an operational metric, availability is increasingly linked to financial performance and asset value. As data centre demand grows, operators that can combine strong operational availability with the ability to overcome constraints such as power access, permitting, and infrastructure limitations are positioned to achieve more resilient and higher-quality returns.

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@HBMmeasurement @BruelKjaerUK @HBMPrenscia #PAuto #Datacentres

Ethics in automation.

“Automation and Ethical Sourcing” is the name of a new position paper from the International Society of Automation (ISA). The paper explores how industrial automation technologies and practices can help organizations strengthen ethical sourcing across global supply chains, advancing transparency, accountability, worker safety and environmental stewardship while supporting long-term business resilience.

“Ethical sourcing has become a key factor for organizations seeking to earn and keep trust,” said Claire Fallon, CEO of ISA. “ISA’s new position paper asserts how important automation is to improving supply chain visibility and reducing risk to people and the environment. Automation helps decision makers move from good intentions to measurable action.”

Across critical industries, stakeholders like customers, employees, investors and regulators are demanding greater visibility into how goods and services are produced and delivered. ISA’s position paper outlines key ethical sourcing principles that address this drive, including upholding human rights and fair and safe working conditions, minimizing environmental impacts, improving supply chain transparency, ensuring product quality and safety and committing to continuous improvement.

The paper also emphasizes that automation can enable and scale ethical sourcing efforts. Artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and digital twins can be leveraged to monitor operations, assess sourcing risks and identify focused opportunities to reduce impacts on ecosystems. The paper also describes how blockchain can support traceability and transparency through immutable records, helping to validate claims and strengthen confidence in supply chains. Advanced controls and robotics can enable remote or autonomous operations that reduce human exposure to harsh or unsafe conditions, while safety systems and cybersecurity controls help reduce the likelihood and consequences of incidents that could harm people or the environment.

The paper outlines practical actions decision makers can take to help companies and industries realize the benefits of automation when it comes to ethical sourcing. These recommendations include supporting the development and adoption of industry standards, expanding education and training pathways aligned to automation careers and strengthening professional skills through certification and certificate programs. ISA also encourages organizations to foster cybersecurity cultures that prioritize security alongside efficiency and safety, reinforcing the integrity of digitally connected supply chains.

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@ISA_Automation @automation_com  @ISAIreland #PAuto #Automation

Artificial Intelligence's impact on automation.

Paper is intended for operations leaders, engineers, cybersecurity professionals, educators and policymakers seeking a concise, standards-aligned perspective on Ai implementation in industrial contexts.

A new position paper, “Industrial Ai and Its Impact on Automation,” a forward-looking perspective on the opportunities, risks and standards-driven pathways for safely implementing artificial intelligence in industrial environments has been published by the International Society of Automation (ISA).

The paper traces Ai’s evolution from early expert systems and fuzzy logic to today’s data-driven and generative Ai, highlighting how these technologies are accelerating advancements in robotics, predictive mAintenance, digital twins and real-time optimiation. It also underscores the key role of proven standards frameworks like ISA/IEC 62443 in ensuring Ai systems are transparent, secure, reliable and aligned with operational technology (OT) requirements.

“Industrial Ai is reshaping the way complex processes are monitored, controlled and improved,” said Claire Fallon, CEO and executive director of ISA. “With this position paper, ISA offers a pragmatic stance blending innovation with responsibility. Industrial organisations can affirm Ai’s ability to capture value while protecting people and processes.”

Key themes from the position paper include:

• Operational benefits: Ai is bringing advancements in inspection, quality control and mAintenance as well as vision-language-action models for robotics and developments in data capture and analysis for safer, more efficient plants.
• Risk-informed adoption: Critical factors to consider in Ai adoption include human safety, system reliability, data quality, explAinability and information protection, including novel attack vectors unique to Ai systems.
• Standards at the core: The ISA/IEC 62443 series is highlighted as a flexible, comprehensive framework to mitigate current and emerging security vulnerabilities in industrial automation and control systems.
• Workforce readiness: Competency development, change management and upskilling must be emphasised, building on resources such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s Automation Competency Model.
• Collaboration is key: The position paper invites industry, policymakers and academia to align on best practices, education and standards that enable responsible, scalable Ai deployment.

The paper affirms ISA’s commitment to collaboration across the automation community, calling for the establishment of strong consensus-based standards and the enhancement of education programs to include Ai. It outlines many use cases for Ai in industry, from data governance and risk assessment to integration with existing control architectures, suggesting how Ai may augment critical operations with minimal disruptions.

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@ISA_Automation @automation_com #PAuto #Ai

Measuring pressure.

A Practical Approach to Measurement and Conversion is a white paper published by Beamex. Pressure is one of the most frequently measured variables in industrial processes, especially in hazardous areas where accuracy and reliability are critical for safety and compliance. The use of different pressure types and units across industries and regions can lead to confusion. Whether working with bar, psi, Pa, or inHg, understanding the differences between gauge, absolute, and differential pressure—and knowing how to convert between units—is essential for safe and accurate measurement in classified environments.

This guide provides a practical overview of commonly used pressure units, clarifies key concepts related to pressure types, and offers a reliable reference for unit conversion. It supports professionals working in hazardous areas with calibration and process instrumentation, where consistent and precise pressure measurement is vital.

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@BeamexGlobal #PAuto

Energy trends 2025.

Resilience and a sustainable energy system are crucial responses to increasing energy demands and climate change.

As global energy demands rises alongside the challenges of climate change, the need for a resilient and sustainable energy system has never been more urgent, according to GridBeyond’s latest white paper "Energy trends 2025 – The rise of the demand side."

Now in its sixth edition, the report offers an in depth analysis of the energy systems in the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and Japan highlighting their shared challenges like aging infrastructure, rising energy demand, and the need for innovation. It concludes that achieving net zero targets – particularly the near-term goal of a 2030 net-zero electricity sector – will require a smarter and more flexible energy system.

Noting that the distributed energy resources market is expected to more than double by 2027, the report emphasises the critical role of energy flexibility in building resilient and adaptive energy systems, such as the role of virtual power plants (VPPs), electric vehicles, corporate power purchase agreements (CPPA), energy procurement and energy storage.

In the road to decarbonisation assets are also moving closer to the grid edge, with EVs, small- and large-scale renewables generation and heat pumps poised to connect into a vast, decentralised network – offering capacity akin to several nuclear power plants. Given significant declines in costs (more than 90% in the last 15 years) battery energy storage systems (BESS) will also play a crucial role in providing flexibility and supporting inflexible technologies (such as solar PV).

While reducing energy consumption or utilising flexibility is often the most obvious way for businesses to reduce impact where it’s crucial for assets or processes to maintain continuous operation (inflexible assets and operations) this may not be possible. As a result, many companies are procuring energy from renewable generation sources as part of their net zero plans, meaning CPPAs, certificate trading and more sophisticated procurement strategies will also play a big role in 2025 and beyond.

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• See last years report: Focus on security and affordability of energy (18/12/24).

@GridBeyond_ #PAuto #Energy

Virtual power plants.

Virtual Power Plants are ready to revolutionise the way we generate, distribute and consume electricity but challenges remain, says GridBeyond’s latest white paper.

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) have significant potential to enhance grid stability and reliability. By integrating various renewable energy sources, they can effectively balance electricity supply and demand in real time. But to access the full benefits of VPPs, there remains a need to understand and communicate VPP benefits, advance best practices, and shift policy and regulation to put VPPs on a level playing field with traditional grid investments says their White Paper.

In addition the complex coordination and control mechanisms required to manage diverse distributed energy resources pose engineering and operational challenges. But the use of AI and robotic trading in VPP operation can help mitigate risks. The next few years are a critical window for VPP market development. Coordinated and collective action over this time can set the VPP market on a path to delivering long term benefits.

“To reach net zero, distributed flexibility is not optional […] Flexibility is the primary tool at our disposal for reshaping the patterns of demand and generation to accommodate clean energy sources," according to GridBeyond Chief Product Officer and President North America Sean McEvoy. "By enabling flexible demand, we can optimize the utilization of renewable energy, accommodate a larger share of their output, and ultimately reduce reliance on gas during periods of low renewable generation. This approach is crucial for ensuring the resilience of our energy supply while moving towards a clean energy future and VPP’s will play an invaluable role in the energy system: offering distributed flexibility to balance energy demand and generation and helping keep energy affordable.”

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@GridBeyond_ #Energy

An efficient and economical solution for heavy loads.

End-of-line packaging: Decentralised drive technology with controlled frequency inverters

NORD have recently released a white paper: "Drive technology in end-of-line packaging: Advantages of decentralised drive solutions with controlled frequency inverters."

Heavy loads, high forces, long travel distances and lower requirements for precision and dynamics are characteristic for end-of-line packaging. The use of decentralised drive solutions with controlled frequency inverters can achieve cost benefits of up to 50 % depending on the type of system and application.

Drives with centrally controlled servo motors are commonly used in end-of-line packaging. However, in applications with large inertia or long movement distances – for example palletising, stabilising or handling – they are usually not mandatory. Decentralised drive solutions, for example with controlled asynchronous motors, are an efficient and economical alternative in this context. NORD Drivesystems is highly familiar with the industry’s requirements and implements modular drive concepts that are precisely tailored to the specific application and customer requirements.

Asynchronous motors with decentrally controlled frequency inverters.
Due to their high inertia, NORD asynchronous motors offer decisive advantages for end-of-line packaging. When moving heavy loads, it ensures better (movement) control than conventional servo solutions that must be adjusted to the respective application via large gear ratios. Furthermore, they enable highest process stability, reduce vibrations and the risk of damaging the load or packaging machine. A further advantage: asynchronous motors are available everywhere in a wide range, are easy to maintain and can be combined with different types of gear units and frequency inverters.

When used with decentralised frequency inverters, such as NORDAC BASE SK 180E, NORDAC FLEX SK 200E, NORDAC LINK SK 250E or NORDAC ON SK 300P, components such as control cabinets and wiring are eliminated and the setup effort is significantly lower. An additional important advantage is space saving. With a modular concept, the drive also remains maximally flexible, as changes to the system architecture can be made at any time without large structural modifications, and additional drives can be easily added later without changes to the control cabinet.

Cost benefits of up to 50 %.
Low procurement costs, constructive freedom in machine design, faster commissioning, simplified maintenance and repair processes: asynchronous motors with decentrally controlled frequency inverters and encoder feedback via absolute or incremental encoders enable highly economic and precise positioning applications and dynamic movement of large and heavy packaging units. This makes this technology a real alternative for application fields such as end-of-line packaging, where heavy loads and high forces are the norm. Depending on the system type and application, the savings can amount to up to 50 %.

 @NORD_Drive @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Packaging

300,000 tons in carbon emissions to be saved.

ABB has published another of its ‘Energy Transition Equation’ reports that shows how industrial customers can reduce carbon emissions and manage the energy transition for a more sustainable future. Based on nine months of research and modelling, the report highlights how early adoption and integration of automation, digitalization, and electrification technologies to enable autonomous operations can deliver savings of over 300,000 tons of carbon emissions per annum for offshore sites (approximately 25 percent reduction). This is the equivalent of removing 150,000 combustion cars from the road and is the same volume of CO2 responsible for five million tons of glacier mass lost each year.[1]   “The world needs more energy,” said Brandon Spencer, President, ABB Energy Industries. “Even in the most advanced scenarios for renewables, we will still need to invest in oil and gas infrastructure to ensure availability and stability of supply to meet our energy needs. Now is the time to make that investment count, using the right technology to ensure energy production from hydrocarbons is the most sustainable it can be, as we continue to develop renewables.”   The report also demonstrates how companies can realize production efficiencies of up to $30 million in annual savings, while delivering net revenue increases of up to $120,000, thanks to autonomous operations.   A key part of this is redeploying companies’ offshore workforces, moving them from hazardous roles into new ones onshore. In doing so, employers can offer safer working environments, a better work-life balance and fill industry talents gaps by reskilling employees to support a data-led approach to oil and gas exploration and production.   In 2021, ABB reduced its own CO2 emissions by 39 percent as part of its Sustainability Strategy 2030 and expects to be fully carbon neutral by decade’s end. The strategy details how ABB will support its global customers in reducing their annual CO2 emissions by at least 100 megatons by 2030, the equivalent of removing 30 million combustion cars from the roads.   • The report’s economic modelling was undertaken by independent economist Steve Lucas of Developmental Economics,[2] in conjunction with ABB Energy Industries and supported with desktop research of academic and industry sources. ABB will publish reports focused on the power and chemicals markets in 2023. [1] Source: Global warming to date could ‘obliterate’ a third of glacier ice - Carbon BriefNature Climate Change, by the researchers B. Marzeion, G. Kaser and F. Maussion. [2] https://developmenteconomics.co.uk/contact-us/ @ABBgroupnews @abb_automation #Environment

The future of automation.

Process automation systems will evolve while remaining fundamental to enabling some of the most complex infrastructures in the world

A new white paper entitled “The DCS of tomorrow: ABB’s process automation system vision,” has been released by ABB. This outlines how process automation systems will evolve to support industries as they undergo digital transformation and shift to sustainable energy sources.

For more than a century, automation systems have been central to empowering industries that provide the basic building blocks of our everyday lives – energy, power, water, metals, minerals, chemicals, and transportation – to scale to the needs of a growing population. And for nearly 50 years, the DCS – a digital platform for automating and operating large plants – has been instrumental in enabling safe, efficient and reliable 24/7 operations for these process and energy industries.

ABB has been a global market leader in DCS for 22 consecutive years, maintaining a leading share of around 20 percent in a market worth more than $14 billion (€13.1)*

At the core of controlling and supervising complex processes, the DCS will continue to provide the essentials needed for safe and reliable operations, while evolving its functionality to serve the needs of accelerating digital transformation and energy transition. It will combine an ability to scale and serve new market conditions by adapting to new technologies, including the provision of standard interfaces for third-party connectivity.

ABB foresees a modular automation architecture that will evolve to address customer needs, becoming more open, interoperable and flexible, while maintaining the same high level of reliability, availability, safety and security to which users have grown accustomed.

• The DCS of the future will be embedded in a digitally-enabled environment that facilitates enterprise-wide secure connectivity and collaboration among people, systems and equipment.
• New business models will be feasible through readily downloadable application subscription services.
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence will speed issue resolution and promote remote, autonomous operations that keep people out of harm’s way and mitigate against human-induced error.
• The generation joining the workforce will leverage the familiar benefits of digitalization without having to sacrifice the reliability, availability and security that current systems provide.

“With the DCS of tomorrow, we will accelerate innovation while maintaining the reliability and continuity for which we are known,” said Peter Terwiesch, President, ABB Process Automation. “This white paper is a blueprint for automation systems that will future-proof industries for decades to come. Many of the industries we serve are energy and material intensive, and strive toward more sustainable production. As they increasingly integrate renewables into their energy mix, we will provide the automation with which to do it.”

ABB’s world-leading distributed control systems combine process control, electrical control, power management and safety management. They are a collaboration enabler, allowing improvement of engineering efficiency, operator performance and asset utilization.

“ABB automates, electrifies and digitalizes some of the largest and most critical operations in the world to meet the needs of our growing society, helping our customers make a world of difference,” said Terwiesch. “These sophisticated, interconnected systems work in the background, and yet are essential for nearly everything we use in our daily lives. Our future automation offerings will continue to be at the heart of this.”

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* ARC Advisory

@ABBgroupnews @abb_automation #PAuto

Cybersecurity in your enterprise.

ISA/IEC 62443 provides a powerful tool to reduce the risk of financial, reputational, human, and environmental impact from cyber-attacks on Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS).

Topics in the paper
1. What is an IACS Cybersecurity Program?
2. Preparing an IACS Cybersecurity Program
3. How does an IACS Cybersecurity program relate to IT Cybersecurity?
4. Costs and Benefits of an IACS Cybersecurity Program
5. What to do next!

However, since it is a “horizontal standard”, 62443 is meant to address a wide range of industries, and any specific company is likely to find that while most of the standard applies to their IACS, parts of it may not. For example, some “normative requirements” that are appropriate for an interstate pipeline, may not be relevant to a chemical plant or a discrete manufacturing facility.

There are also obvious differences between a large-scale corporation with many sites and thousands of employees, and a small company with a few dozen staff.

This white paper, Implementing an Industrial Cybersecurity Program for Your Enterprise,  published by the ISA, is intended to address the needs of Owner/Operators of industrial facilities.

@ISA_Interchange @IrelandISA #Pauto #Cybersecurity

Applying cybersecurity standards.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA), with contributing author Pierre Kobes, have released a white paper entitled, “Applying ISO/IEC 27001/2 and the ISA/IEC 62443 Series for Operational Technology Environments.”

“I often hear the debate about whether to use ISO/IEC 27001/2 or ISA/IEC 62443 for securing OT infrastructure,” commented Andre Ristaino, Managing Director of ISAGCA. “The right answer is both, and this whitepaper describes how these two globally-accepted standards can be used together for establishing an integrated, company-wide cybersecurity plan.”

Many organizations have established policies and procedures governing the IT security in their office environment predominantly based on ISO/IEC 27001/2. Some organizations have attempted to secure their operational technology (OT) infrastructure under the ISO/IEC 27001/2 management system and have leveraged IT commonalities in their OT environments. However, the ISA/IEC 62443 series are purpose-built for securing OT systems and when used in combination with ISO/IEC 27001/2, it ensures that organizations maintain conformance with ISO/IEC 27001/2 through common approaches wherever feasible, while applying different approaches for IT vs. OT where needed.

The white paper offers guidance for organizations familiar with ISO/IEC 27001 who are interested in protecting the OT infrastructure of their operating facilities by applying the ISA/IEC 62443 series. It describes the relationship between the ISA/IEC 62443 series and ISO/IEC 27001/2 and how both standards may be effectively used in a complementary approach within one organization to protect both IT and OT.

The paper may be downloaded from the ISA website here.

@ISA_Interchange @IrelandISA @ISA_EU @IECStandards #PAuto #Cybersecurity

Metrology in medical device manufacturing.

To help medical device manufacturers understand the value in intntegrating metrology into production, industrial metrology supplier The Sempre Group has released Metrology in Medical. The whitepaper explores how medical device manufacturers can use measurement equipment and data to improve quality throughout the product lifecycle. The whitepaper can be downloaded for free on The Sempre Group website here.

Download Paper The Sempre Group provides British and Irish manufacturers with the bespoke solutions and expert support needed to improve quality at every stage of a medical device’s lifecycle. The company regularly introduces new and innovative metrology systems and software from a range of leading global suppliers to find the right solution to any measurement challenge. The Sempre Group is also on hand to install systems, train staff and calibrate equipment to ensure measurements are valid in the long term — The Sempre Group is one of a few companies that offers UKAS certified calibration for Micro-Vu Optical CMMs.

“There is no room for error when bringing a medical device to market,” explained Jason McGlynn, commercial manager for Ireland at The Sempre Group. “Even the smallest defect can have dangerous consequences for patients, so manufacturers must document every step of the product lifecycle to prove a device meets its intended purpose."

The medical device industry in both Ireland and Britain is highly competitive. Ireland, for example, is one of the largest exporters of medical products in Europe, with annual exports of over 12.6 billion euros. As a result, medical device manufacturers are constantly looking for new ways to streamline validation, improve productivity and gain a competitive edge in the market.

This whitepaper explains how considering the role of metrology earlier in the process and integrating metrology into every stage of a medical device's product lifecycle enable manufacturers to develop a more efficient and traceable process. It explores the factors to consider when searching for a metrology supplier, how metrology software can improve traceability and the benefits of automating reporting processes.

“Metrology is vital to gathering this accurate and traceable evidence, but is often only used at the end of production to validate final parts,” added McGlynn. “By creating an effective quality management strategy and integrating metrology into production from the outset, manufacturers can improve traceability to ensure regulatory compliance while streamlining production.”

@TheSempreGroup #Metrology #Medical #Ireland

How to Streamline Complex Natural Gas Analysis and Reduce Costs.

Current gas quality measurement requirements are driving the need for analysis of both sulfur compounds and natural gas composition in pipeline and gas processing applications using a gas chromatograph (GC). Conventional air-bath oven GCs capable of supporting these measurements are expensive, complex large platforms unsuitable for field-installation without elaborate analyser shelters, adding significant capital and operating costs. 

This white paper from Emerson explores the industry’s first field-mountable, transmitter-style gas chromatograph capable of providing measurement of sulfur compounds and energy content of natural gas in a single, compact explosion-proof analyzer, reducing cost and footprint.

#PAuto @EMR_Automation @Rosemount_News 

Validating LIMS.

Autoscribe Informatics has announced the release of a new white paper on the validation of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). The white paper discusses what LIMS validation is and the steps involved, the responsibilities of the customer and supplier, how GAMP5 affects LIMS validation, and the deliverables you can expect from a LIMS validation project.

“As well as adhering to the many standards, such as FDA 21 part 11, ISO/IEC 17025, good laboratory practice (GLP) and good automated manufacturing practice (GAMP), regulated companies must satisfy themselves that their information management systems perform as expected and are fit for purpose,” said Simon Wood, Product Manager at Autoscribe Informatics. “This system validation white paper gives LIMS practitioners a tried and trusted framework to work form to help ensure the system has been implemented and tested with the necessary rigor to be sure this is so.”

LIMS solutions are widely used by companies subject to regulation by the FDA and equivalent international bodies. To be suitable for use in regulated industries the LIMS must be shown to fulfil its intended purpose and work in the way it is designed to work. While it is the responsibility of companies themselves to prove the system has been validated to the required level, Autoscribe has over 30 years’ experience in building and implementing LIMS for regulated organizations.

The white paper distils that knowledge into an easy to follow reference that can serve as a foundation for LIMS administrators and regulatory compliance managers on how to approach LIMS validation. It can help them understand the steps involved including creation of a user requirement specification, the development of a functional specification, the various stages of qualification testing, and production of a final summary report.

@AutoscribeLtd #TandM #PAuto

Sensors in the water and wastewater network.

Predicting a crisis before it happens.

This report* includes market forecasts, player profiles, investments, and comprehensive company lists. This report is an essential read for those looking for a deep understanding of the use of sensors in the water and waste-water industries.

Britain is currently experiencing a heatwave – London, for example, has had the longest stretch of hot weather in almost 60 years. With an increase in temperature, there is an increase in demand for tap water. One area which is affected is the South West Water network, with water shortages across Sussex and up to 300 households left without tap water for five days.

It is possible with technology to better predict how people use water and monitor its quality. This technology currently exists. For example, manufacturing industries such as semi-conductor manufacturing monitor water for trace metals. The same sensors can be in a water network pipe. Furthermore, these methods of sensor detection have shown to work. Companies such as Suez have implemented smart water meters to track users water consumption in some locations in France, providing them with a better understanding of how the users consume water, and more importantly, when.

IDTechEx research predicts that in the water pipe network alone, the industry of sensors will grow to over €2.96bn ($3.5Bn or £2.67bn)  by 2030 (Source: IDTechEx – “Sensors in the Water and Wastewater Treatment Industries 2020-2030”). This area is a growing industry, and it is at the forefront of the Smart Cities and IoT technology areas.

Providers

Which sensors can be in water network pipes?

There are many different properties and measurements recorded in a water supply or a waste-water network, including the following:

− Pressure Measurements (static, stagnation, head)

− Flow levels (depth, pressure, velocity)

− Flow meters (velocity)

− Acoustic emission (leakage)

− Temperature measurements

− Chemical measurements (Ph, trace metals e.t.c)

What are the benefits of sensors in pipes?
Data brings understanding and understanding brings better management of a system. Collecting data on the flow in water pipes allows companies to quickly identify regions where there is an increase in demand, and as a result, lower pressure in the pipes. Utility companies can correlate their use age data with current events. They can then answer questions such as: On average, how much water is used per day in a heatwave? Who uses the most water? What times of the day is network strained?

Who makes the sensors?
There are many players in the water and waste-water industries. The figure below shows some of those mentioned in the IDTechEx report, “Sensors in the Water and Wastewater Treatment Industries 2020-2030”.

When will it happen?
The need is, therefore, creating a smart water network, but it will only happen with investment. IDTechEx Research predicts there will be a change in regulation in 5-10 years. This change will push for smarter sensor-based networks. Moreover, the benefits of these systems will pay off any investment, providing a more efficient, safe, and monitored network.

What about COVID-19?
As an emerging technology, digitising and adding sensors to the water and waste-water networks may have both benefit and hindrance. Hindrance, as companies may not wish to spend large sums on new sensors, pipes, or technology, and the barriers for entry into the water and waste-water networks are already high.

The benefit of adopting sensors into the networks outweigh these barriers. There is a real need for remote monitoring. Monitoring removes the need for maintenance staff to check pipes as regularly, or to collect samples for lab monitoring. It speeds up the identification of pollution events reduces fines incurred by the water companies. It improves the efficiency of the treatment plants. It provides a better service for customers. A steep investment, but the dividends pay off for many years to come.

* “Sensors in the Water and Waste-water treatment industries 2020-2030”?  (IDTechEx)

@IDTechEx #Pauto #Water

Safety and EMC for BEV charging.

It is estimated that by 2030 there will be 20 million BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicle) sold per year. This means that around 140,000 DC fast charging stations will have to be installed by that year.

Schaffner has produced a Whitepaper for designers of battery and hybrid electric vehicle charging stations, providing guidance on the following key topics:

• Which safety requirements must be met in EV charging.
• Which EMC limit values are set for EV charging stations.
• The critically important requirements for galvanic isolation in EV charging stations
• What options are there for customer-specific developments in the field of EV charging

Schaffner’s long experience and expertise in safely meeting the most stringent EMC requirements in the electrotechnical world provides designers with the means to make
the energy revolution possible.

Holger Urban, Product Marketing Manager of Schaffner, comments, “Electromobility is considered one of the main drivers in current global megatrends - Electrification, Urbanisation, Digitalisation and Climate Change. For this reason, we see it as our task to provide cutting-edge technology to this critical market.”

Download the white paper here: EMC for EV Charging. 

#Schaffner #Transportation @proactivefleet

Build your cybersecurity culture.

In the world of automation, a cybersecurity breach can have serious consequences—so cybersecurity is seriously important. Every level of your organization plays an important part in protecting industrial control systems from cyber threats.

A large-scale breach of cybersecurity has been called one of the five most serious risks facing the world today. In the automation industry, with critical operations relying on digitalized industrial control systems, the stakes are higher than ever.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) just released a new whitepaper with actionable insights into how the strongest cybersecurity cultures are made. Titled “An Industry Imperative: Build a Standards-Based Cybersecurity Culture for Employees, Customers, and Partners,” this whitepaper dives into the importance of maintaining industry standards and employee cybersecurity education.

@ISA_Interchange #PAuto

Ready for 5G?

Research shows that half of the industry professionals are clearly positive about 5G in manufacturing and see it as a way to obtain universal connectivity.

HMS Networks surveyed 50 international industry professionals in spring 2019 to inquire about the positioning of wireless communication in their companies and to see how they are getting ready for the launch of 5G. HMS’ whitepaper titled  “5G: Is the Industry ready?”  presents the results of this study and provides state-of-the-art insights into the current situation in the manufacturing industry in terms of 5G preparedness.

“The survey clearly showed that the industry is getting increasingly aware of 5G benefits for industrial communication. What the industry really needs is technical information and practical examples” says Marcela Alzin, Program Manager at HMS Labs at HMS Networks, who conducted the research. “This is why I created a fictional model of a typical OT professional and his attitude towards 5G. This should help to better understand the situation on the market“.

The whitepaper from HMS Networks provides an overview of the industry’s opinions towards 5G technology as an emerging trend and future standard in the manufacturing and industrial automation industry. It also touches on the use of wireless technologies in the industry today and future directions of this technology.

Key findings include: • More than half (54%) of the interviewees indicated using wireless communication solutions for remote monitoring and remote operation of assets. One third of the respondents (34%) stated that their companies were using wireless communication for different kinds of IIoT. • Half of the interviewees (48%) were clearly positive about 5G in manufacturing – they mostly appreciated that the technology will replace cables, unreliable Wi-Fi, and the many industrial standards in use today. • For the majority (58%) of the respondents, the reliability and robustness of wireless systems plays a decisive role in whether to adopt 5G or not, and this was voiced equally by representatives of OT and IT. Low latency was mentioned as important by more than a quarter (26%) of the interviewees.

#PAuto @hmsnetworks #5G