Different types of KPIs that measures energy-, raw-material-, maintenance-, control-performance, etc.
in the industry have been suggested.
A method that improves the performance in the industry was also presented.
The method is based on identifying the process signals or combinations of process signals thathave the strongest correlation with the KPI. These process signals are then changed in the direction that they improve the KPI.
The process signals are normally changed by changing the set-points in corresponding controllers. The method uses logged data from normal operation to calculate the KPIs.
If the excitation in the normal data is low, experiments that increases the excitation have to be done.
The method has been applied to data from a combined heat and power plant and a suggestion has been given on how to improve boiler efficiency by reducing the secondary air flow at upper front wall.