At a time when the world’s energy resources are running out, and the financial impact of energy costs on companies is steadily increasing, can we afford not to control and optimise means of production, particularly when it is cost neutral?

In the UK, it is estimated that electric motors consume 30% of the energy of a building and 60% of the energy of industries and infrastructures.  In total this equates to 25% of the world’s energy and 85% of this is used in electric motors control pumps, fans and compressors.

According to Schneider Electric UK it is possible for users to achieve energy savings of up to 70%, depending on the type of installation, for pumping, ventilation and compression applications through higher efficiency and better performance than traditional mechanical solutions.  These are also eco friendly, more reliable, reduce equipment maintenance and provide a rapid return on investment (generally less than 24 months)

Two fluid control techniques are applied to pumps, fans and compressors.  conventional pump solution use a valve to control flow.  In these installations:

• The motor constantly runs at full power, supplied directly by the line supply

• The flow is controlled by the position of the valve or damper

• The poor efficiency of the valves amplifies the losses

The efficient alternative is to increase productivity with variable speed motor drives that:

• Improve efficiency by allowing removal of the flow valve

• Enabling motor speed to be adjusted to meet  demand and reduce energy consumption

The highest potential energy savings are to be found on pumps, fans and compressors, and variable speed drives offer additional advantages for  each application.

Compressors: up to 30% energy savings

The variable speed drive is recommended in particular for screw compressors (air or cooling) and in addition to energy savings up to 30% offer:

• Maintenance of a constant pressure

• Increased service life of the compressor

• Control of the current on starting

• Reduction of pressure surges

• Low maintenance

Pumps: up to 50% energy savings, plus

• Reduction of mechanical stress due to elimination of pressure surges

• Precise control according to requirement (temperature, flow rate, pressure)

• Protection of the pump and pipework

• Facilitate multi-pump management

Fans: up to 70% energy savings, plus

• More accurate control of the system

• Reduced noise level in installations

• Improved control of air quality (control of the speed according to CO₂ emissions)

• Reduced maintenance costs on belts and bearings

Go here for energy saving inverter drives from Schneider Electric UK