The CIRCMAN5.0 project is taking a bold step toward the factories of the future by advancing the use of the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) — an innovative Industry 4.0 technology that enables industrial assets to communicate in a smart, seamless, and standardised way.
At the heart of this effort lies the Sustainable AAS Workflow Manager (EcoWoM) — a pioneering digital solution designed to make photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing more sustainable and energy-efficient.
EcoWoM harnesses real-time data to optimise energy use, reduce waste, and enhance production performance. Through advanced process simulation and data analytics, it can forecast energy consumption and identify new opportunities to boost both efficiency and sustainability across the entire manufacturing lifecycle.
To bring this vision to life, CIRCMAN5.0 equips the most energy-intensive machines in PV production lines with smart energy meters that continuously capture data on consumption, efficiency, and peak loads. Each smart meter is paired with its own AAS instance — a digital “identity” that provides standardised access to energy data for EcoWoM’s software platform.
All AAS instances operate on the BasyX middleware, which efficiently manages both real-time and historical data while enabling secure, seamless communication between connected devices. This digital backbone supports live monitoring, environmental performance tracking, and the use of advanced sustainability indicators.
Every AAS is composed of several submodels, each serving a distinct purpose. Some follow established standards — such as those for technical properties, time-series data, and data mapping — while others are tailored to CIRCMAN5.0’s specific goals, including real-time monitoring and environmental KPI assessment.
Developing these AAS structures requires a strategic, modular approach: starting with a core model focused on essential functions and gradually expanding it as the system evolves. This flexible design ensures scalability and adaptability to future needs.
Key Benefits of AAS Technology
- Interoperability and standardisation: Smart meters from different manufacturers can be integrated easily by adjusting the data mapping submodel.
- Consistent and transparent data: AAS provides a unified data structure that simplifies analysis and decision-making.
- Scalability and flexibility: New devices can be added effortlessly by creating new AAS instances.
- Future-ready architecture: Fully aligned with Industry 4.0 and digital twin principles, AAS lays the foundation for next-generation intelligent manufacturing systems.
Through the adoption of the Asset Administration Shell and the development of EcoWoM, CIRCMAN5.0 is leading the transition toward data-driven, interoperable, and environmentally sustainable production in the photovoltaic sector — setting a new benchmark for digital innovation in European industry.
About CIRCMAN5.0
CIRCMAN5.0 is a Horizon Europe–funded project uniting leading research institutes, industry experts, and technology providers to develop circular, human-centric manufacturing solutions aligned with Industry 5.0 principles.
Consortium Members:
Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Institute of Communication and Information Systems (ICCS), University of Oslo (UIO), Polytechnic University of Milan (POLIMI), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), European Research Centre for Technologies, Design and Materials (CETMA), EXUS Software (EXUS), Technology Transfer System Ltd (TTS), Xgility Ltd (XGL), RINA Consulting – Materials Development Centre (RINA), Association of Technological Companies Innovalia (INNO), J&G Engineering & Architecture Ltd (JGEA), I4ByDesign Competence Centre (I4bd), Green Deal Data Space Association (GDDS), Onyx Solar Energy Ltd (ONYX), Sunage Ltd (SUNAGE), ASCA Ltd & Co. KG (ASCA), SoliTek Research & Development (SOLITEK).
For more information, follow CIRCMAN5.0 on LinkedIn(@circman5.0) and X(@circman5)
Project Website: https://circman5.eu/