Towards a Software System Providing Knowledge about Energy and Resource Efficiency Potentials within the Product and Process Development of Electric Drives

Abstract

Despite numerous research activities, guidelines and regulations, the exploitation of energy and resource efficiency potentials at companies in the field of electric drive technology is still lagging behind. Existing catalogues of measures and research results are mostly too generic or too theoretic for companies, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Thus, this paper proposes the development of a user-oriented software system that supports the consideration of sustainability aspects within the product and process development of electric drives. The core component of this concept is a knowledge-based system (KBS), which reveals the wide range of energy and resource efficiency potentials along the whole product life cycle. In particular, correlations that exist between the individual saving potentials are to be mapped. By presenting the general solution concept and current stage of development, this paper provides the basis for future research which should focus on the further elaboration and prototypical implementation of the system proposed here.