Emerson Unveils Major AspenTech Software Release to Advance Industrial AI, Operational Excellence, and Sustainability
Emerson, a global leader in industrial automation and technology, has announced a significant new release of the flagship software suite from its Aspen Technology (AspenTech) business. This latest version marks a milestone in Emerson’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation, enhancing operational performance, and accelerating the journey toward sustainability for industries worldwide.
The new release—AspenTech Version 15 (v15)—introduces a robust expansion of industrial artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, including cutting-edge generative AI (GenAI) features. Additionally, it delivers an enhanced user experience through streamlined integrations, more intuitive visualizations, and simplified workflows, making it easier than ever for organizations to harness the full potential of digital transformation.
A Leap Forward in Industrial AI for Real-World Impact
“At Emerson, we believe that advanced technologies must be practical and deliver tangible value in real-world industrial environments,” said Claudio Fayad, Chief Technology Officer for Emerson’s Aspen Technology business. “With the release of AspenTech v15, we are equipping organizations with powerful tools that not only unlock greater value from their operations but also foster long-term improvements in performance, efficiency, and sustainability.”
The expansion of industrial AI capabilities in AspenTech v15 is a direct response to the growing need for smarter, data-driven decision-making across sectors such as energy, chemicals, manufacturing, and utilities. By incorporating generative AI, AspenTech enhances how users can interact with complex industrial data, enabling faster insights, predictive analytics, and actionable recommendations.
With this release, Emerson aims to democratize AI-driven insights, making them accessible to a broader range of users—even those without deep technical backgrounds in data science or AI. The streamlined user experience ensures that operators, engineers, and business leaders alike can leverage AI capabilities to drive operational excellence.
Industry Validation and Market Readiness
The significance of Emerson’s AspenTech v15 launch is underscored by recent industry research. According to Malavika Tohani, Research Director for the Industrial Transformation practice at Verdantix, the role of AI and GenAI in plant operations is becoming increasingly pivotal.
“More than 85% of firms participating in the Verdantix industrial transformation survey anticipate that AI analytics and generative AI will profoundly impact their plant operations. Notably, about 75% of these firms are either currently implementing, actively exploring, or have already deployed GenAI solutions for specific plant use cases,” Tohani explained.
However, she also emphasized the challenges companies face, particularly the lack of in-house AI expertise and difficulties in maximizing the value of deployed AI solutions. “AspenTech’s v15 release addresses these challenges by accelerating time-to-value through intuitive GenAI integration and broader capability enhancements,” she added.
Breakthrough Capabilities for Subsurface Science, Energy, and Utilities
A standout feature of AspenTech v15 is the introduction of AspenTech Subsurface Intelligence™ Beta, a cloud-native environment designed to break down traditional silos in subsurface science and engineering. This platform utilizes AI-enhanced workflows and a user-friendly interface that spans all geoscience and engineering disciplines, enabling faster and more collaborative decision-making in resource exploration and production.
For utility companies, the inclusion of AspenTech Cimphony Network Model Management™ within the Digital Grid Management suite represents a significant advancement. This solution enables utilities to efficiently manage power system models using a data-driven network model manager that maintains a persistent storage layer for model-driven data. Notably, it supports standards such as the Common Information Model (CIM), ensuring interoperability and data consistency across the grid management ecosystem.
Expanding Industrial AI Across Operations
Beyond subsurface and utilities, AspenTech v15 introduces several enhancements that extend AI-driven optimization throughout the plant lifecycle:
- Advanced Machine Learning for Reservoir Analysis: Utilizing sophisticated machine learning techniques, AspenTech enables precise analysis of reservoir changes, supporting improved resource extraction strategies and operational planning.
- Automated Plant Layout Generation with Aspen OptiPlant 3D Layout™: For both brownfield (existing facilities) and greenfield (new projects) environments, this feature automates plant layout generation, reducing design time and minimizing errors.
- Enhanced Aspen Virtual Advisor: The AI-powered advisor now offers deeper insights into model results and provides actionable guidance on optimization strategies, helping organizations boost margins and enhance productivity.
Elevating the User Experience for Greater Efficiency
A critical focus of AspenTech v15 is on enhancing the overall user experience (UX). The platform delivers improved visualizations, streamlined interfaces, and smoother integrations that reduce complexity for end users.
For example, the AspenTech Grid Apps™ web-based platform now facilitates more seamless interactions between utility customers and the software suite, improving responsiveness and collaboration. Furthermore, AspenTech Inmation™ introduces online model deployment capabilities for widely used process modeling tools such as Aspen Plus® and Aspen HYSYS®, enabling real-time model updates and faster decision-making.
These UX improvements are designed to empower users at every level—from plant operators and engineers to executive decision-makers—to leverage AspenTech’s powerful tools with minimal learning curves and maximum efficiency.
Accelerating Sustainability Initiatives Across Industries
Emerson’s commitment to sustainability is a defining theme of the AspenTech v15 release. The software now supports a broader range of sustainability-driven use cases, helping organizations achieve measurable progress toward decarbonization, resource efficiency, and circular economy initiatives.
Key enhancements include:
- Expanded Support for Circular Economy and Plastics Recycling: Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS now provide capabilities tailored to circular economy models and advanced plastics recycling processes, supporting industries in reducing environmental impact.
- Green Hydrogen Production: New features facilitate the modeling and optimization of green hydrogen production, an essential element in the transition to clean energy.
- Supply Chain Emissions Forecasting: Improvements to Aspen Supply Chain Planner™ enable users to forecast and visualize emissions across the entire value chain, providing a comprehensive view of environmental impacts and informing more sustainable operational strategies.
Collectively, these advancements position AspenTech v15 as a comprehensive solution for industries seeking to align operational performance with global sustainability goals.
A Strategic Step in Emerson’s Digital Transformation Vision
The release of AspenTech v15 is not an isolated product update—it reflects a broader strategic vision for Emerson. As industries face increasing pressure to enhance efficiency, ensure resilience, and meet stringent environmental standards, Emerson’s digital solutions are playing a critical role in enabling this transformation.
By integrating advanced AI capabilities, simplifying user interactions, and providing targeted solutions for key industry challenges, Emerson is reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in industrial innovation.
Moreover, the emphasis on cloud-native environments and scalable AI-driven tools ensures that Emerson’s customers can future-proof their operations, adapt to evolving market demands, and stay ahead in the competitive global landscape.
A New Era of Operational Excellence and Sustainability
With the launch of AspenTech v15, Emerson has set a new benchmark in industrial software innovation. The expanded AI capabilities, enhanced user experience, and dedicated sustainability features collectively empower industries to optimize operations, accelerate decarbonization, and achieve long-term business resilience.
As digital transformation continues to reshape the industrial sector, solutions like AspenTech v15 will be instrumental in bridging the gap between technological potential and real-world impact.
For industries seeking to thrive in an increasingly complex and environmentally conscious world, Emerson’s AspenTech v15 offers a powerful pathway to operational excellence and sustainable growth.
