The Importance of Tracking Water, Air, Gas, Electricity, and Steam (WAGES) in Manufacturing 

In the manufacturing industry, it is crucial to closely monitor the use and consumption of water, air, gas, electricity, and steam (WAGES). Proper monitoring of these resources not only helps to optimize production processes but can also lead to cost savings and reduced environmental impact. Manufacturers typically see an average of 5% – 15% of savings when energy costs are optimized. At Konektio, we value the end-to-end tracking energy monitoring beyond just electricity – something our energy monitoring solution, AssetMinder Impact has been developed to do. In this blog, we will explore the importance of WAGES monitoring in the manufacturing sector and how it can benefit both the company and the environment. 

Water Monitoring 

Water is an essential resource for many manufacturing processes, from cooling and cleaning to material processing. By closely monitoring water usage, manufacturers can identify inefficiencies and implement strategies to conserve water. This not only helps to reduce water bills, but it can also help to protect natural water sources and minimize the environmental impact of the manufacturing process to help you achieve your corporate sustainability goals.  

Air Monitoring 

Air quality is important in manufacturing environments, not only for the health and safety of workers, but also for the quality of the finished product. By monitoring the air in a manufacturing facility, companies can ensure that they are meeting regulatory standards and that their products are not being compromised by poor air quality. Additionally, monitoring air quality can help to identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency as an average of 10% of all electricity is consumed to create compressed air. Furthermore, around 30% of compressed air is not used due to waste and leakage which manufacturers don’t know about. 

Gas Monitoring 

The use of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen in welding, cutting, and heat treatment processes is vital for producing top-notch products. While it’s crucial to use these gases efficiently, it’s equally important to keep an eye on their usage and emissions. Monitoring gas usage and emissions can lead to a multitude of benefits, such as increased production efficiency, reduced costs, and decreased risk of accidents. Additionally, it helps to minimize the release of harmful gases into the environment, thereby contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing process.

Electricity Monitoring 

Electricity plays a pivotal role in powering the various equipment and processes in the manufacturing industry. Close monitoring of electricity usage enables manufacturers to identify ways to decrease energy consumption, resulting in enhanced energy efficiency. This not only leads to cost reductions but also a reduction in the environmental impact. By utilizing energy monitoring and optimization techniques, manufacturers can ensure that they are making the most of this vital resource, both financially and environmentally.

Steam Monitoring 

Proper monitoring of steam usage can help manufacturers identify areas where they can make improvements. This could include reducing waste, lowering steam consumption, and improving energy efficiency. This leads to cost savings, as well as reduced emissions of steam into the environment. Additionally, monitoring steam usage can help detect any issues early on, allowing manufacturers to make necessary adjustments to prevent accidents and protect workers, equipment, and the environment.

The monitoring of WAGES (water, air, gas, electricity, and steam) is essential for optimizing production processes, reducing costs, and minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing. By using energy monitoring solutions, like AssetMinder Impact, to track the use and consumption of these resources, companies can ensure that they are operating efficiently and sustainably. 

About Konektio

Konektio connects the digital and physical worlds to digitally transform global industrial and manufacturing customers. Through their world-class expertise in IIoT automation solutions and services, including the IIoT SaaS product AssetMinder®, they help organizations succeed in their digital transformation journey by enabling visibility and control of their assets across the factory and externally in the field. AssetMinder® captures usage and performance data from smart digital sensors, providing advanced insights to unlock data-driven intelligence that optimizes processes, condition monitoring, uptime, and profitability across a range of industries including manufacturing, transportation, utilities, smart infrastructure, and food processing.

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