At the recent SPS/IPC/Drives automation fair in Nuremberg, Germany, HMS Industrial Networks presented a number of solutions targeting energy management in automation systems. Recent research from the AIDA group of German automobile manufacturers (Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, VW) and the Profibus User Organization shows that industrial networks play a major role in the implementation of control strategies for energy optimisation on the plant floor.

As one of the leading manufacturers of industrial networking solutions, HMS has already introduced PROFIenergy-conformant Anybus embedded communication modules. Support for further energy management profiles will follow as soon as they become stable and widely accepted.

HMS has identified that it may take some time until the latest energy management standards will be used plant-wide. In the meantime, HMS offers a wide range of solutions mainly targeted at system integrators and end users. These solutions enable the integration of standard automation equipment into modern fieldbus or industrial Ethernet communication systems, increasing the level of automation, system efficiency and energy management.

With the Anybus Communicator series of intelligent protocol converters, system integrators and end users are able to integrate existing automation equipment via standard serial RS-232 or Modbus-RTU interfaces into modern industrial fieldbus or Ethernet networks. Anybus X-gateways provide the same values interconnecting different networks. Both gateway families enable a transparent flow of information throughout the entire plant including the ability to switch off automation equipment during production breaks and standstill periods in a synchronized manner, adding to the total energy management and plant efficiency. A good example is the integration of standard circuit breakers -- that are typically not network-enabled -- into modern industrial networks.

HMS's Netbiter solution for M2M remote management allows users to get an overview of their applications' energy consumption. The innovative Netbiter product line was recently awarded the Swedish E-prize 2011 within an application created by Jeff Electronics. The E-prize is awarded to companies that combine energy, efficiency and economics to reduce cost, minimize the environmental effect and also increase competitiveness.

"Our green automation initiative will help businesses save energy and reduce their carbon footprint, while improving productivity and profits," says Staffan Dahlstr?m, CEO at HMS Industrial Networks AB.

HMS Industrial Networks is the leading independent supplier of embedded network technology for automation devices. HMS develops and manufactures solutions for interfacing automation devices to industrial networks. Development and manufacturing takes place at the head office in Halmstad, Sweden. Local sales and support is provided by the HMS branch offices in Chicago, Beijing, Karlsruhe, Milan, Mulhouse and Tokyo.