Dematic introduces the software module "Dematic Ecodrive" as a first in IT for improved energy efficiency in the process control of automated warehouses. The IT improves the ecological balance sheet by up to 20 percent and meets the protocol requirements for tax savings in terms of ISO 16001.

Dematic introduces as a world first "Dematic Ecodrive", a software module to optimise the environmental impact and economy of automated warehouses. In focus: energy-efficient disposition and optimised consumption in the operation of warehouse machines, for example storage and retrieval machines (ASRS). Completely new algorithms were developed, which enable the Dematic software to reduce CO2 emissions in automated warehouses by an additional 10 - 15 percent. At the same time Dematic Ecodrive reduces the operating costs of the automated components by up to 20 percent. And: The IT component satisfies the protocol requirements of ISO 16001. Through proof of the energy efficient operation of a plant tax rebates can be achieved, which can definitely be higher than the operating costs themselves.

As basis for this serves an integrated potential analysis. Through assessment of the storage and retrieval movements in automated warehouses Dematic Ecodrive determines the actual consumption and offers options for savings. Driving jobs are analysed according to temporal distribution, priorities, as well as in terms of system status at the time of order. From the juxtaposition of time and energy requirements the software calculates alternative Ecodrive values and offers the dispatchers corresponding options.

Background: The strong acceleration of heavy mass requires a lot of energy. On the other hand plants, as a rule, do not need to permanently operate at full capacity, in order to manage the required workload. Uncritical movements can be deferred to times outside of high load operations. Plant operation below capacity limit is from an ecological perspective without loss of capacity possible. Dematic Ecodrive can compensate for such factors and the for the eco-mode slightly increased drive and lift times over day. The corresponding values are ascertained by the Dematic software automatically during running time and drive orders , inclusive the energy factor, are transmitted to the storage and retrieval machines. Dispatchers can choose between five different emission defaults or choose the output parameters manually.

This offers resource efficiency and savings potentials. Sample calculations with five AS/RS for 30.000 pallets and bin locations show that plant operators through the optimal distribution of order processing as well as an adjusted reduction of acceleration and maximum speeds through Dematic Ecodrive can achieve an annual advantage between 10,000 and 100,000 Euro.

Besides analysis and process optimisation Dematic Ecodrive also offers diverse statistics and archiving functions. Through the documentation of past values and ongoing examination of current consumption data Dematic Ecodrive fulfils the legal requirements and provisions of an energy management system according to DIN EN 16001. These protocols afford clear tax savings, when the for 2012 planned adoption of energy management systems is realised.

Dematic Ecodrive is for SAP platforms SAP LES and SAP EWM as well as the warehouse management system Dematic DC Director available. The system provision is part of the usual Dematic scope of services for migration or upgrade projects.