The ABB Ability™ Energy Management System (EMS) now combines with advanced AI features to make industrial energy monitoring easier and more accessible. EMS is a platform used by companies in sectors such as mining, pulp and paper, metals, and cement to track and improve how they use energy. With the latest integration, users can ask questions and get insights about energy and sustainability simply by typing in everyday language—no specialised knowledge is needed.
Copilot functionality refers to an AI-powered assistant that helps users interact with complex data systems using everyday language. For example, an energy manager in a cement plant can type, “What equipment is driving our peak energy consumption this month?” and the AI assistant—called EMS Copilot—will provide a clear, actionable answer without manual data analysis. This means users no longer have to sort through multiple dashboards or apply complicated filters. Instead, they get fast, accurate information to support their decisions.
At the heart of this integration is the Industrial Knowledge Vault (IKV), a centralised repository that stores and organises important operational expertise, making sure critical information is retained and easily accessed. In simple terms, a centralised repository is a single place where all relevant data and knowledge are collected, structured, and made available to users. The EMS Copilot draws from IKV to answer questions and provide guidance.
The reason ABB chose EMS for this upgrade is its robust data model. In this context, a robust data model means that EMS is designed to organise and manage large amounts of data in a clear, reliable way, ensuring that insights drawn from the system are accurate and useful for decision-making.
The practical benefits are clear: teams can quickly understand energy usage, emission trends, cost drivers, or equipment performance. This is especially important for industries facing rising energy costs, more complex assets and systems, and stricter requirements for efficiency and sustainability reporting. For example, a mining company used EMS Copilot to identify inefficiencies in their energy usage, resulting in a 10% reduction in operational costs within six months.
The EMS Copilot is particularly valuable in sectors like mining, pulp and paper, metals, and cement. It helps companies meet evolving sustainability standards and make timely, informed decisions to improve efficiency and comply with regulations. By making critical information accessible and easy to use, the system supports safer and more efficient operations across the industry.