Energy benchmarking rules in machining systems

The energy benchmarking has been recognised as an effective analytical methodology and a significant management tool that helps to improve the efficiency and performance of the energy utilisation. Studies on energy benchmarking has been worldwide carried out in many areas for different objectives. However, there are few systematic theories to support the development of a reasonable energy benchmarking and to provide efficient application measures in machining systems. To overcome these challenges, based on previous studies we propose two significant rules of energy benchmarking in machining systems contributing to the development of the energy benchmarking and application. This paper describes the concept, content and scope of the energy benchmarking rules laying a solid theoretical foundation for the energy benchmarking research in the machining field and giving the research directions. Meanwhile, through application analysis of the rules, the energy benchmarking rules have wide application prospects in machining systems and play an important role in the energy-efficient production.