"Manufacturing and the energy sector need to work more closely together in integrated energy systems," says Andreas Kuhlmann, Chief Executive at dena. "Digitalization has the potential to benefit both companies and the energy system as a whole."

In order to recognize the potential and promote acceptance of digital technology in the industrial sector, the German Energy Agency (dena) and Deutsche Messe AG are currently conducting a broad survey. The focus is on making stronger connections between Industrie 4.0 and integrated energy systems. This includes comparing weather and price data, or power generation projections and production processes in companies. The survey is supported by the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e. V. (VDMA), and the World Energy Council (WEC).

"The initial results of our survey record a positive trend," says Andreas Kuhlmann. "The majority of the manufacturing companies we have surveyed to date can envision more closely integrating their manufacturing plants into the energy system. For many, the key factor is data security. Guaranteeing a high level of security is crucial to the success of transitioning to integrated energy."

The results of the survey will be presented on April 23 at the opening event for Digital Energy (Hall 12) and the Integrated Energy Plaza (Hall 27) at Energy 2018. But even beyond these events, the increasing integration of the energy and industrial sectors are shaping the program of the leading energy trade show: In the midst of HANNOVER MESSE, the world’s leading trade show for industrial technology, Energy 2018 has come up with an abundance of industrial solutions.

For example, at Digital Energy (Hall 12), energy efficiency in the industrial sector is clearly the center of attention. Companies are showcasing their proposals for energy management, which include audits and visualizing energy consumption.

Energy efficiency is boring? Energy Efficiency in Industrial Processes (EEIP) counteract this bias using virtual reality. The global Business and Policy Network is convinced that “energy efficiency is a fascinating combination of technology, innovation, and motivated people – and delivers advantages to businesses and the environment.” Throughout the week, EEIP will be distributing its headsets at the Digital Energy group pavilion in Hall 12. At 4 p.m. on Wednesday during the trade show week, it will present the EU-supported Energy Efficiency Investor Confidence Project at the Digital Energy Forum.

"We love the challenge of holistic efficiency projects," says Limón, another exhibitor in Hall 12. This company from Kassel provides its customers – which includes industrial and commercial companies, energy providers, and consultants – with customized efficiency solutions. With energy audits in pursuant to DIN EN 16247, Limón helps save taxes on electricity and energy. In addition, the firm provides support to companies implementing energy management systems in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 in addition to certification and subsequent improvements.

Energy efficiency is also the focus in constructing and renovating office and manufacturing buildings. The solutions needed by investors, project developers, builders, planners, architects, operators, and users of office and manufacturing buildings can be found for the first time together at Energy in Hall 27 at the BuildingEnergyTechnologies showcase. A presentation forum provides energy consultants, facility managers, and administrators of public sites and residential buildings with the latest information.

Distributed across the HANNOVER MESSE compound, around 180 exhibitors are showcasing technology and services for energy efficiency in buildings, such as photovoltaic, mini-wind, and lighting installations, central-heating boilers, heat exchangers, storage and insulation, air conditioning systems, ventilation systems, and smart meters. Major names such as ABB, KIT, Phoenix Contact, Rittal, Schneider Electric, and Ziehl-Abegg can be found as well as numerous start-ups.

Right nearby at BuildingEnergyTechnologies, visitors can find the joint pavilion Decentralized Energy Supply for CHP combined heat and power generation, trigeneration, and power from waste heat. Around 30 providers of cogeneration unit and power plants such as Sokratherm with its compact modules and RMB/ENERGIE with its “neoTower”, along with ORC masters such as BOSCH KWK Systeme are presenting their technology to industrial manufacturers, trade and commerce companies, municipal property administrators, and the real estate industry.

Experts from these two sectors will demonstrate and discuss the close relationship between the efficient use and supply of electricity, heating, and cooling in residential and non-residential buildings at a joint forum in Hall 27. In addition to best-practice examples of CHP combined heat and power generation, the results of studies on process heat, the overall context in the energy systems of the future, and energy efficiency in building utilization, startups will also present innovative solutions. Partners include B.KWK, DENEFF, VDI-GBG, GEFMA, and BAND.

"Energy meets Industry" is the name of a session at the Integrated Energy Plaza forum in Hall 27. Topics that will be addressed on April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. range from industrial climate paths to energy efficiency networks in industrial companies. It is geared toward representatives from builders of power generation plants, the energy sector, and energy policy experts as well as industrial enterprises that want to take advantage of the potential found in energy efficiency. The forum is chaired by Matthias Zelinger, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems and the energy policy representative of VDMA. On stage will be speakers from GE Renewable Energy, MAN Diesel & Turbo, ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions, and Siemens among others.

A special guide will summarize the broad range of industrial offers at Energy 2018. It will be available at the entrances to HANNOVER MESSE 2018, and indicate the entire palette of products and services ranging from energy consulting and audits, energy management and consumption analyses, efficiently supplying electricity, plus heat and cooling through to integrating electromobility and charging infrastructure into company buildings.