Architecture for multilevel monitoring and control of energy consumption

Guaranteeing energy efficient operation of production systems through a-priori optimization is an extremely complex task. We therefore propose an alternative approach where controls can decide locally if an energy reduction is possible and set components to energy-optimal states. In this paper we present results from the research group ECOMATION describing the information flow that generates energy control loops on different levels based on model information and an appropriate communication and control infrastructure. The communication mechanisms and control structures in production systems and machines are presented which allow using models automatically and coherently on all required levels of detail and abstraction.