Gilead Data Collection – Steam Generation Metrics

Background

Gilead Sciences is a research-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of medicines to transform and simplify care for people with life threatening diseases. 

The site in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork is responsible for manufacturing, quality control, packaging, and the release and distribution of the company’s products in the European Union and other international locations. 

Gilead’s steam generation gas boilers are one of the sites significant energy users.   The aim of the project was to create a more thorough source of data from the boilers so that it could be used to create effective energy performance indicators (EnPIs). Ultimately allowing Gilead to monitor and reduce its gas consumption accordingly.

The project

Gilead implemented a seven-step digitalisation strategy to ensure effective monitoring and management of the gas consumption of their steam generation system. 

• Step 1 - project charter documentation to identify project objectives
• Step 2 - process overview involving a site walk-down to determine which unmonitored sources could be digitalised
• Step 3 - specification of user requirements which were defined as the monitoring of the boiler efficiency and condensate recovery
• Step 4 - creation of a data catalogue containing required data for the energy performance indicators
• Step 5 - creation of data availability diagrams for each energy performance indicator
• Step 6 - data collection
• Step 7 - creation of a connection plan in the form of a detailed metering commissioning spreadsheet

*Note – for more detailed information on this project please read further in pdf case study file.

Results & key achievements

Gilead’s implementation of a digitalisation strategy has enabled:

• the identification of energy performance indicators for the steam generation system
• the development of a detailed metering plan compliant with ISO 50001
• the proportion of functioning meters increased from 10% to 80%

With this new metering system, the team has the timely ability to accurately report to senior management. It also allows the energy team to:

• make data-driven decisions
• map real-time data against predictions
• continuously monitor key performance indicators
• investigate deviations from expectations

This gives Gilead opportunity to constantly monitor the boilers’ energy consumption and ensure they remain on target to achieve 42% reduction in CO₂ onsite and net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

What’s next?

Gilead plan to roll out the same strategy across its other Significant Energy Users (SEUs), increasing/improving visibility of all SEUs on site.

LIEN

Gilead Sciences is a member of SEAI’s Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) since 2019. LIEN is a network of ~200 large companies who, with support from SEAI, work together to improve their energy performance, reduce emissions in line with national targets and inspire others to follow. SEAI provides free expert advice, training, briefings and special working groups for LIEN members. 

Gilead Sciences project was completed with support from a LIEN Energy Data Management special working group initiative in conjunction with Energy Analytics.