A hybrid simulation approach for predicting energy flows in production lines

This manuscript proposes a hybrid simulation model of discrete and continuous modes, designed to predict energy consumption and flows within an automotive production facility. The simulation integrates sub-models for the plant stations and energy management center based on regression analysis of two-year data, forecasting, and physical modelling. The hybrid simulation is developed to account for the energy consumed in manufacturing, air-tempering, and in maintaining equipment with large thermal inertia in an idle-state. The model is applied in twofold; a Daily volume production and a Sequence record and delay modes. The results are found in agreement with plant-recorded data.