Hitachi Energy and Rockwell Automation Team Up to Plan Power and Production Together, Starting With Mining

Hitachi Energy and Rockwell Automation have agreed to collaborate on a single “grid-to-process” architecture for industrial sites. Under the deal, the electrical infrastructure that powers a facility and the systems that run its production would be designed as one. The two companies announced the collaboration from Zurich and Milwaukee. Mining and metals are the first target.

Hitachi Energy covers grid connection, power quality, energy management, and protection and control. Rockwell Automation covers process automation and digital operations.

Premise is that electrical planning and production planning can no longer be handled separately. given the rising power demand, the push to decarbonise, and limits on capital spending. The stated objectives are simpler engineering, better coordination across functions and support for digital mining operations. They also plan to look at scalable, modular designs that leave room for future expansion.Both companies see room to apply the approach in other energy-intensive industries, but the announcement doesn’t name any. 

For industrial engineering teams, the announcement suggests a model where a site’s electrical system is planned at the same stage as its process control

Image Source – Hitachi Energy