Facility layout problem with auxiliary systems for energy efficiency

Abstract

In the Facility Layout Design (FLD), little research considers the energy costs even though increasing attention is placed on the energy consumption related to auxiliary systems (i.e. electrical supply, process heat, refrigeration and compressed air). The approaches to solving the Facility Layout Problem (FLP) traditionally consider the costs related to the material flows, while the auxiliary systems are designed after the definition of the facility’s placement. However, the arrangement of departments/machines influences the investment cost, associated with the installation of the auxiliary systems and their operating costs which, in several cases, represent a relevant part of the overall costs. Considering an energy-efficient solution, the FLD should be based not only on the material flows but also on the auxiliary systems. The objective of this study is to present a novel approach to FLP that jointly allows the optimization of the machines arrangement by considering both investment and operating costs related to the electrical service jointly to material flows. A solution algorithm to address the positioning of the electrical panel board and the selection of electrical cable sections are presented. The results obtained show an overall total cost minimisation with consistent savings compared to the traditional FLP approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Facility Layout Problem
• energy savings
• auxiliary systems

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

I. Ferretti

I. Ferretti is currently researcher at the Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia (Italy). He graduated in 2003 in Industrial Engineering at the University of Brescia (Italy) and took his Doctorate in Industrial Engineering at the University of Brescia (Italy) in 2008. His main research interests are: Layout Design, Energy Management, Inventory Management and Supply Chain Management.

S. Zanoni

S. Zanoni is currently an full professor at the Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia (Italy). He graduated (with distinction) in 2001 in Mechanical Engineering and took his Doctorate in Industrial Engineering at the University of Brescia (Italy) in 2005. His main research interests are: Layout Design, Energy Management, Inventory Management and Supply Chain Management.

L. E. Zavanella

L. E. Zavanella is currently full professor in the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Brescia (Italy). He graduated in 1982 in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano. Since 1986, he has been a researcher in the field of production systems at the Università degli Studi di Brescia. His research activities mainly concern manufacturing systems and inventory management, also with reference to environmental and energy aspects.