Remote Operation, Industry 4.0, Modularized Automation – 2016's Namur Assembly Sets the Course...

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Remote Operation – Necessary Evolution for the Production of Tomorrow

BASF employee Michael Krauss and John Hofland of Shell in the Netherlands-based Groningen reported about the necessity of Remote Operation. “Remote IO is not longer cables and also not pure fixed cost savings”, clarified Krauss right at the start. To a much greater extent it means operating the plant safely, working reliably, flexibly and cost-efficiently – and this under optimum energy and raw-materials utilization. In reality therefore, it does not differ much from a classical plant.

And here too, everything is not supposed happen in one go, but perhaps at the beginning the operating costs are low. “Later shift models are optimized and it is only at the end that the project progresses to such an extent that the night shift can be avoided”.

Remote Automation in gasfield Operations

How something like this can look like was presented by John Hofland, Shell, with the help of the gas field in Groningen. It was discovered in 1959 and consists of 29 production clusters, which are operated by just two persons. The motive forces behind this automation were the minimization of manual interventions on the one hand and the reduction of emissions with simultaneously increased safety and an improved operation management.

The advantages are enticing: Today the individual clusters are normally operated unmanned, all routine jobs are automated, maintenance can be planned. Unplanned shutdowns have been eliminated or at least reduced to a minimum this way. High availability allows a continuous proess, and at the same time, efficiency has increased.

Moreover, one can respond to the requirements of customers faster. Shell automation expert Hofland is convinced that remote and automated operation is necessary to solve future tasks. In this context, he emphasizes need to change corporate culture. His tip: Convince the person who shows the maximum skepticism. He wants to get rid of another prejudice. An unmanned plant needs only new solutions not necessarily new products or new technologies.

Rapid development is taking place in the area of sensors and communication technologies.

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