Planning of energy-efficient production supply systems

Abstract

Every production system of any kind requires an adequate production supply system (PSS) with which the supply of material takes place. The objective of this study is to develop a procedure for planning energy-efficient PSS according to the specific requirements of the user. Currently, there are deficits with regard to definitions, objectives, overview of design options (supply concepts) and, last but not least, an integral planning and evaluation process. The first stage of the approach includes description models for the organizational design options (scope: factory gate to workstation). The concepts, classified in a modular manner according to the logistics functions they fulfil, can be chosen from a morphological matrix which supports the selection (see Verein Deutscher Ingenieure [Association of German Engineers] VDI [AGE]-Guideline 5587) and can be flexibly linked to supply chains. In a hierarchical approach, supply chains can first be generated for individual articles or sub-ranges of the parts range. All supply chains together form a comprehensive PSS. In the second step of the procedure, a multi-criteria evaluation model, which includes numerous energy-related criteria and calculation rules among cost and further technical criteria, allows the comparison of alternative PSS and the formation of rankings while considering orthogonality of the criteria. As the third component, a planning guide is developed that is based on the line-back principle and supports the user in the step-by-step development of a target-oriented PSS. In perspective, the evaluation model not only allows to check the compliance of the PSS with the target variables. Instead, sensitivity analyses can be used to identify the decisive drivers of the target variables and enable targeted planning measures.