Hitachi Energy and Rockwell Automation have announced a collaboration to integrate electrical infrastructure with industrial automation and production systems. The initiative will focus initially on mining and metals, where rising electricity demand and the need to expand output are increasing the importance of coordinated power and production planning.
The companies plan to combine their capabilities in grid connection, power quality, energy management, protection and control, process automation and digital operations. Their integrated grid-to-process approach is intended to help industrial customers coordinate electrical systems and production requirements from the planning stage through operations.
Industrial facilities are facing growing pressure to increase capacity, improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions while managing capital expenditure. The companies said planning power infrastructure and production systems together could streamline engineering, improve coordination between teams and support the development of modular systems that can accommodate future expansion.
Mining and metals will be the first area of focus. Demand for critical minerals is increasing, requiring mining companies to expand capacity and electrify more of their operations. A McKinsey report published in November 2024 estimated that growth capital expenditure for new mining capacity could reach US$1 trillion over the following decade.
Reliable electricity is essential for energy-intensive activities such as crushing, grinding, conveying and mineral processing. Power interruptions can affect equipment utilisation, production continuity and operating costs. Marco Berardi, Head of Grid and Power Quality Solutions and Service at Hitachi Energy, said decisions about energy infrastructure increasingly influence productivity, sustainability and industrial growth. He said closer coordination between power systems and production processes could help customers improve operating performance and build more resilient facilities.
Brian Holte, Vice President, Global Industry Growth at Rockwell Automation, said combining Hitachi Energy’s electrification expertise with Rockwell Automation’s capabilities in industrial automation and digital transformation could help customers design and operate more integrated industrial sites. He added that the approach could support the faster and more predictable commissioning of new manufacturing capacity.
Once facilities are operational, integrating electrification, automation and digital technologies can provide greater visibility into energy consumption, production performance and asset utilisation. The approach is also intended to provide a foundation for further electrification and the integration of additional energy resources.
Hitachi Energy and Rockwell Automation are exploring opportunities in solution development, customer engagement and selected industrial applications. Although mining and metals will be the initial focus, the companies see potential to extend the approach to other energy-intensive industries.
Hitachi Energy provides electrification technologies and services for utilities, industry, data centres and transportation. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company operates in more than 140 countries and employs over 56,000 people in 60 countries. Rockwell Automation is a US-based company specialising in industrial automation and digital transformation. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it employs approximately 26,000 people and serves customers in more than 100 countries.
