The factory of the future: two case studies to illustrate the role of energy in two industrial sectors

The "factory of the future" is a widely discussed concept which promises to underpin the next wave of productivity in industry by integrating new technologies-especially information and communication technologies-into industrial production. Based on a comprehensive bibliography analysis, this article refines the concept of the factory of the future as a factory combining smart, green and human dimensions to achieve a higher level of productivity.The concept of the factory of the future stresses the central role of information networks for optimising and flexibilising production processes. In addition, energy supply and energy usage are decisive levers in enhancing the global productivity by using energy in the optimal way. The smart, green and human dimensions of the factory of the future are involved in each industry sector. However, each sector faces specific challenges. This is illustrated by two case studies on the role of energy in two different industry sectors. A sugar factory is analysed as an illustration of the energy intensive process industry, where gains are achieved by mastering local energy production and thermodynamic processes. Combined heat and power generation allows quasi-energy-autonomous factories and energy is reused several times in cascades in the production process. A production machine factory is analysed as an illustration of the downstream industry in which the smart use of energy increases productivity. This innovative factory uses the best available technologies, on site energy production with renewable energies, heat recovery and storage, the use of natural lighting and cooling for factory buildings and energy management systems. These two examples underline that the factory of the future will take multiple forms. These examples also show that the factory of the future is already built today. For energy companies, issues related to the factory of the future are the decentralised production of energy mainly based on renewable energies, the monitoring and management of energy consumption using information and communication technologies, flexible and adaptive energy networks to allow flexible and modular production and energy analysis methods for the improvement of energy-intensive production processes. The concept of the factory of the future remains a challenge for the energy companies. Many aspects of the factory of the future can be built through continuous improvement which can be integrated in daily operations. However, new business models and technological disruptions can bring unforeseen changes to industry.