Energy Optimization in Induction Furnaces and Rolling Mills for Medium-Scale Industries Through Energy Efficient Power Conversion Systems and Best Operational Practices

Abstract

Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) industries contribute to a critical share of the nation's economy. The Indian economy is in a comparative scale of fifth position among the top five economies in the world. Even though MSMEs are small in size, their numbers are huge. Energy conservation and energy efficiency are related keys to sustainable and lean manufacturing processes in various industries, supplementing India's G20 commitments. Furnaces play a vital role in various types of MSMEs involved in the manufacturing of various products. Conserving the energy required for furnace and heat treatment operations plays a pivotal role in achieving monetary savings in such facilities. Energy audits help any such facility to observe the energy utilization patterns, scope of improvements in any process or machinery to derive energy savings, verify the observed data through scientific measurements and data surveys, data analytics, and state-of-the art engineering calculation methods to prove the suggested measures of improvements with the basic objective of bringing monetary savings in operational costs and a reduction in carbon footprints. The decarbonization of the industrial sector in India majorly depends on energy-efficient technologies and best operational practices. Fuel switching to electricity and renewable energy integration go hand in hand. Energy audits pan India helped us to explore a few such opportunities as discussed here substantiated with suitable case studies. © 2024 IEEE.