A method (100) for operating an industrial
plant (1) that is configured to execute an industrial process using a plurality of interconnected process modules or other functional units (2a-2f), wherein at least one
process module or other functional unit (2a-2f) is capable of performing its assigned role in the industrial process in different
modes of operation (3a-3d) that have different energy consumptions, and wherein the method (100) comprises the steps of: - obtaining (110)
energy information (4) that is indicative of the availability, and / or of the cost, of energy required for the operation of at least one
process module or other functional unit (2a-2f); - obtaining (120), for at least one chosen
process module or other functional unit (2*, 2a-2f), a candidate mode of operation (5) that is desirable from the point of view of this process module or other functional unit (2*, 2a-2f) with respect to
energy consumption; - determining (130) whether operation of the chosen process module or other functional unit (2a-2f) if this candidate mode of operation (5) is compatible with the intended operation of one or more further process modules or other functional units (2a-2f) that are connected to the chosen process module (2*, 2a-2f); and - if this is the case, authorizing (140), in an
energy plan (1a) for operating the industrial
plant (1), operation of the chosen process module or other functional unit (2*, 2a-2f) in the candidate mode of operation (5).