Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 55 No. 4 (December 2018)
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ENERGY CLOUDTM + Netmation eFinderTM Package
Easy and Safe Management for Data & Multiple Locations

M H P S C o n t r o l S y s t e m s C o . , L td .

In recent years, data collection using IoT (Internet of Things) equipment and the applicationof cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology is also expected in manufacturing facilities.
While various IoT devices are available, we have developed our unique product that canrealize not only Facility Visualization, but also the optimization of production QCD by fully
utilizing advanced AI technology. This paper introduces the developed IoT tool, Netmation
eFinderTM, which is simple to install and ideal to introduce AI.

|1. Introduction
MHPS Control Systems Co., Ltd. not only offers control systems for various power
generation facilities using the DIASYS NetmationTM control system, but also widely offers control
and business solutions in various fields requiring high reliability such as environmental equipment,
transportation systems, transportation machinery, etc.
We are operating the manufacturing factories and aiming to optimize the production QCD.
This know-how brings important insight into data analysis and has delivered Netmation eFinderTM.
Netmation eFinderTM consists of the wireless measuring unit and aggregator ① , thededicated network ②, and the web application software ④ on the private cloud ③, (Figure 1).

Figure 1

System configuration|2. Features of product2.1

Simple installation and data collection

Netmation eFinderTM measuring unit is designed to meet the needs of facility users who
require simple and low cost installation and is field proven.
The number of input points by one measuring unit is set to 10 based on our expertise of

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 55 No. 4 (December 2018)2facility operation and management. This can cover the case of one place with many points and thecase of multiple places with several points. The number of analog inputs, digital inputs, and pulse
inputs are well-balanced and convenient for field application.
From the perspective of the data analyst, electric power data is valuable for factory
management such as operation management. Therefore, improvements were made so that electricpower data can be simply collected. The CT (current sensor) signal conversion function in themeasuring unit enables the current to be measured directly, and electric power is calculated on thecloud server side. This makes it possible to reduce the number of watt meters and to simplify
installation work.
The data sampling period of typical data collection is less than one second. However, fromthe perspective of AI prediction services and factory users, rough trends rather than such detailed
data are often valuable. Therefore, the sampling period is set to one minute at a minimum(Figure 2).

Figure 2

2.2

Features of product

Secure and safe information security

There is a need to install IoT equipment that performs measurement without affecting theproduction process as much as possible. Therefore, to eliminate the need to modify PLC*1 andDCS*2 or connect to the customer's network, Netmation eFinderTM directly measures the target
facility so that data can be transmitted using a wireless and independent network. Since there is noconnection with the customer's existing control system, there is no concern of data leakage, etc.,
thereby ensuring security.
In facility use, there is a need that data collection is stable even in case of wirelesscommunication. Therefore, a mesh type (ad hoc) network that can find a better route according to
the radio wave conditions is adopted. In addition, with a memory card in the measuring unit, it canretain data during a temporary communication interruption caused by a blocking object, etc., andcan send data after communication is recovered.
Data is transmitted from the plant to the private cloud using a dedicated network.
Transmitted data is accumulated in a dedicated private cloud with high security. By downloading
accumulated data, the customer can use it easily for analysis (Figure 2).
*1: PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)*2: DCS (Distributed Control System)

2.3

Collective monitoring and management of data of multiple factories

Collected data can be visualized on the screen by the web application software in thestandard package. This section explains the functions related to factory operation and asset
management.
(1) Factory Operation Management
From the perspective of Factory Operation Management, users need to monitor multiple
factories which are located in separate regions. They can be collectively monitored andmanaged by grouping the facilities of each factory using the web application software. As aresult, it is possible to monitor multiple separated factories as a virtual plant on the web screen
as if they were a single factory (Figure 3).
In addition, this Factory Operation Management has the report functions of the facility
operation rate, date and time summary, monthly output, etc.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 55 No. 4 (December 2018)
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Figure 3

Collective monitoring of multiple business sites(2) Factory Asset Management
From the perspective of Factory Asset Management, users need to level out management
criteria because the judgment criteria for failure and operation differed among the management
department, equipment manufacturer, and installation time. Each facility is equipped with anindicator light which is called a signal tower and indicates the facility operating status.
However, in some cases even the same orange lighting indicates different facility operating
statuses such as "stopped", "settings underway", "failure", etc. In the case of Netmation
eFinderTM, the operating status is set based on the same judgment criteria on the webapplication software, and the web signal tower indication is available regardless of the facility
manufacturer or installation time. As a result, customers can now level out the management
criteria of the operating status (Figure 4).

Figure 4

2.4(1)Facility operation status setting

Application Utilization examples
Netmation eFinderTM
After field tests in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group factories, Netmation eFinderTM isoperating at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group's factories in eight regions (472 units in total)
as an IoT facility visualization tool. Even when one business sector handles multiple factories,
confirmation on one screen is possible (Figure 5).

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 55 No. 4 (December 2018)
4Figure 5(2)

Actual application results of Netmation eFinderTM

ENERGY CLOUDTM Service
The ENERGY CLOUDTM Service which coordinates Netmation eFinderTM has alreadybeen adopted by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group's six factories as a standard IoT tool for thepower demand prediction service released commercially in July 2018. The power demandprediction service provides the visualization of power demand peak forecasts, the study ofpossible power demand shift by the simulation function, and the optimization of power
generation equipment operation targeting power peak-shaving (Figure 6).

Figure 6

ENERGY CLOUDTM ServiceMitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 55 No. 4 (December 2018)5|3. Product specifications
3.1

Equipment specifications
Figure 7 shows the equipment specifications of Netmation eFinderTM

Figure 7

3.2

Specifications

Web screen specification
Figure 8 shows the web screen functions.

Figure 8Web screen functions|4. Planned prospect
The ENERGY CLOUDTM Service, which is an energy solution service using Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries Group's unique AI & IoT technology, can simply communicate using the standardinterface, so the services can be introduced smoothly. From now, we will expand the ENERGY
CLOUDTM Service, utilize AI technology further and provide various solution services, such as therealization of a virtual factory that collectively monitors factories in the United States, Southeast
Asia, Europe and other regions. This will contribute to strengthen customer competitiveness.
Information on this product is available on our website:
http://www.cs.mhps.com/products/energy_management/e-finder.html
ENERGY CLOUDTM and all related marks and logos are registered trademarks of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,
Ltd. in Japan and other countries.
Netmation eFinderTM and all related marks and logos are registered trademarks of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power
Systems, Ltd. in Japan.
DIASYS NetmationTM and all related marks and logos are registered trademarks of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power
Systems, Ltd. in Japan and other countries.