Energy Consumption Analysis and Characterization of Aerospace Manufacturing Facilities in the United States–A Step towards Sustainable Development

In this study,information on energy usage in the United States(U.S.)aerospace manufacturing sector has been analyzed and then represented as energy intensities(kWh/m2)to establish benchmark data and to compare facilities of varying sizes.First,public sources were identified and the data from these previously published sources were aggregated to determine the energy usage of aerospace manufacturing facilities within the U.S.From this dataset,a sample of 28 buildings were selected and the energy intensity for each building was estimated from the data.Next,as a part of this study the energy data for three additional aerospace manufacturing facilities in the U.S.were collected firsthand.That data was analyzed and the energy intensity(kWh/m2)for each facility was calculated and then compared with the energy intensities of the 28 buildings from the sample.Three different indicators of energy consumption in aerospace manufacturing facilities were used as comparators to assist facility managers with determining potential energy savings and help in the decision-making process.On average,aerospace manufacturing facilities in the United States spent 4 cents for each dollar of sale on energy.The energy intensity(kWh/m2)and the power intensity(W/m2)for each facility were calculated based on the actual facility energy bills.The power intensity for these facilities ranges from 34 to 134 W/m2.The energy intensity ranged from 232 to 949 kWh/m2.We found that the power intensity could be used to estimate energy consumption when the annual operating hours of the facility are considered.and to estimate the energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.

APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING

Sustainable development is a holistic approach harmonizing ecological, economical and socio-political needs with respect to the superior objective of enhancing human living standards. Thereby the availability of natural resources and the conservation of the ecosystems have to be considered that future generations have the possibility to meet their own needs. A long-term economical development demands the transition from a souree-sink economy to a cycle economy as a result of limited resources, limited environmental capacities to absorb waste and emissions as well as increasing needs of a growing population. A reference model for snstainability in manufacturing is presented and used to illustrate sustainable approaches with respect to management, technology, process and product. Adaptation of products and components is a vital element for supporting efficient reuse of products and components. Consequently adaptation contributes to the ambitions goals of snstainability. Technological enablers for adaptation as modularity, information and communication technology are exemplarily introduced. Moreover, approaches for disseminating knowledge in sustainability are given.