Energy audit and augmented reality: how to combine them? RETROFEED innovation accelerated by Covid-19
RETROFEED industry partners shared, on 02 December 2020, their experience of working with energy management and energy audits during unprecedented protocols necessitated by the COVID-19 situation. The online event facilitating this knowledge exchange, and taking place after a successful III General Assembly, has seen the participation of industry representatives, technology providers and research institutes, with more than 100 people attending it. The event showcased the variety of innovative responses to the unanticipated circumstances brought upon industries in 2020. Led and presented by the project coordinator Fundación CIRCE, the event included some reflections of the European Commission, represented by the project coordinator Lucia Fernandez Macia from DG Research & Innovation, followed by a demonstration session of energy audit and related augmented reality by RINA Consulting S.p.A. It continued with interactive panel discussions with some of the major industrial players in the agrochemical, aluminium, ceramic and steel sectors (FERTIBERIA, ASAŞ Aluminium, TORRECID, FERRIERE NORD, SILCOTUB) and ended with the twin project, REVaMP represented by BFI. Responses to the pandemic within the event ranged from the comprehensive stimulus package of the European Commission for a greener, more digital, resilient Europe, to the deployment of augmented reality in energy audits. A solution for remote energy management was the central example displayed during the event: the kiber helmet used by RETROFEED end-users, which provides a comprehensive set of tools and measurements necessary for conducting remote energy audits. Deployed by RINA in discussion with on-site personnel, the helmet and its related tools respond to the exact needs of the industry during these unprecedented times. The innovation potential in industries was not only affirmed by end-users integrating augmented reality into their energy audits, but also by the continuous progression of retrofitting equipment throughout the pandemic. While the circumstances have undoubtedly hindered the foreseen planning, end-users have managed to adapt and collaborate efficiently in order to keep pace with project requirements all the while adopting a contingency plan. Overall, the discussions of the online event established RETROFEED as an excellent example of EU projects handling the challenges of our times with flexibility and resiliency through innovation and technology. The event was recorded and can be found on the project website – www.retrofeed.eu/retrofeed-dissemination-event RETROFEED Consortium Partners The consortium is multidisciplinary, well-balanced and gathers expertise from 10 different European countries, therefore satisfying the ability to guarantee wide dissemination of the project outcomes as well as to maximise the opportunities for replication of the solutions developed. Project partners boast, in fact, years of experience in European projects and the development of innovative industrial solutions. Led by Fundación CIRCE, the consortium consists of 4 RTD performers, 4 engineering and technology companies, 6 end-users and 4 horizontal partners. *** This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 869939. The responsibility for the information and the views set out in this press release lies entirely with the authors. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. More information on www.retrofeed.eu Twitter https://twitter.com/retrofeedEU LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/retrofeed
Keywords
circular economy, alternative feedstock, waste recovery, agrochemical, aluminium, cement, ceramic, steel, energy intensive industry