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Emerson participated as a Silver Sponsor at the first ARC Industry Leadership Forum Singapore on August 1, 2024. The theme of the Forum was Accelerate Transformation in the Age of AI, Open Automation, and Sustainability. In the session on The Age of AI: Opportunities and Solutions for Industry, RenJie New, Industrial Software Marketing Manager from Emerson made a joint presentation with JuayTong Goh, Advisory Enterprise Solution Consultant from AspenTech.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of industrial operations, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with domain expertise is reshaping how businesses approach efficiency and productivity. The speakers shared valuable insights on the transformative topic of harnessing Industrial AI with built-in domain expertise for autonomous operations. This blog highlights the salient points of their joint presentation; the video can be watched here.
Convergence of AI and Domain Expertise
The core question addressed by the speakers was how organizations can effectively leverage AI alongside their deep industry knowledge to drive autonomous operations. At AspenTech, the vision for industrial AI transcends traditional definitions. It encompasses not just data insights and advanced analytics but also the extensive domain expertise built over decades of industry service.
The combination of data insights and domain knowledge allows companies to optimize their operations, providing actionable guidance to operators. This integration is essential in a world where skilled resources are scarce, making automation a game-changer for competitive advantage.
Meeting Dual Challenges: Profitability and Sustainability
One of the key challenges facing the industry today is the need for profitability alongside sustainability. This "dual challenge" is where AI plays a pivotal role. Rather than merely focusing on the energy consumed during analysis, the goal is to minimize energy use in producing essential fuels and chemicals. The aim is to create solutions that are not only repeatable and scalable but also fit seamlessly into existing operating processes.
Many companies have experimented with various AI tools, but the desire for a consistent, enterprise-wide application remains strong. This is where AspenTech's industrial AI solutions shine, offering the potential for automation that empowers employees to focus on high-value decision making, rather than mundane tasks.
Innovations in Autonomous Operations
The collaboration between Emerson and AspenTech has led to a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to enable autonomous operations. From intelligent field devices like control valves and wireless sensors to advanced software that integrates deep learning AI into control systems, the offerings are robust and targeted.
For instance, Aspen DMC3's integration allows for consistent management of non-linear process control. High-fidelity simulations and real-time analytics drive dynamic optimization across multiple process units, aligning operations with economic objectives. The introduction of tools like Aspen AVA, a virtual advisor, enhances operator decision-making by providing real-time insights and guidance.
The Future of Production Optimization
Aspen Unified takes the integration a step further, redefining production optimization by unifying planning, scheduling, and actual operations. This cohesive approach allows for agile execution and adaptation to volatile market conditions.
The emphasis on the asset lifecycle is crucial. By helping customers design assets, maximizing their capabilities, and ensuring proactive maintenance, both companies are committed to preventing breakdowns and unplanned shutdowns, which can be disastrous in the process industry.
The Role of AI in Enhancing Decision Making
The use of AI is embedded deeply within the operational frameworks. From predictive maintenance that saves millions to dynamic optimization that enhances profitability, the impact of these technologies is profound. By automating routine tasks and facilitating knowledge transfer, companies can improve efficiency and consistency, ultimately leading to better operational outcomes.
With Emerson’s visions of boundless automation, powered by AI-driven solutions, autonomous operation is achieved through an integrated architecture that features a seamless software ecosystem. From intelligent field devices to software-defined controllers, operational technology (OT) data is woven into a cohesive OT data fabric.
This central OT data service acts as a foundation for advanced operational intelligence, enabling the development of AI-driven models, simulations, and adaptive control, as well as enterprise-wide economic optimizations. By leveraging these tailored, AI-embedded solutions, enterprises can redirect their skilled but limited resources toward high-value decision making and remotely manage operations, fully realizing the benefits of autonomous operations. Together, Emerson and AspenTech are dedicated to helping customers unlock the full potential of autonomous operations.
Panel Discussion
Summarizing the perspectives of JuayTong Goh and RenJie New during the interactive panel discussion:
Carbon capture and sustainability getting interlocked with artificial intelligence: There’s significant ongoing research and interest in carbon capture. Customers recognize that if emissions can't be sufficiently reduced, geoengineering solutions like carbon capture will be essential. We have clients actively using our solution to assess risks associated with various projects, as the technology landscape varies widely. Interest in green hydrogen is also growing, and we’ve templated some technologies to help clients accelerate decision making. We aim to be a catalyst for sustainable green hydrogen and carbon capture initiatives.
Supply chain: One of the key aspects of supply chain management is the reliability of demand forecasting. We've explored various algorithms for forecasting and analyzed historical data to see how it aligns. The question is: which algorithm should we choose? Should we use multiple algorithms? Our approach has been to evaluate several algorithms against the historical data to identify the best fit, as different products exhibit different seasonal patterns. To align execution and planning effectively, we need a unified model that connects planning, scheduling, and control. That’s why we’re collaborating with Aspen to integrate these elements seamlessly.
About scaling: The scaling potential of AI is impressive, enabling rapid and broad adoption of technology. Internally, we’re introducing solutions that significantly reduce cycle times, helping customers realize value faster. While we’re witnessing a transformation and wider adoption of digital solutions, there’s still a need for quicker progress. We believe embedding AI will accelerate this process.