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Electricity is expensiveand the cost is not decreasing. Yet it is the power source for most of the process industry, and managers should be concerned about makinghe best use of it.
Through information, directives, and education, all industries could start making considerable energy savings right now, says Bo Andersson of Emotron AB, Sweden. Well-tried technologyis already available that could halve energy consumption in a number of applications and processes. A good international example is the EU project "Motor Challenge Programme," which aims to increase the efficiency of systems driven by electrical motors. Energy surveys show that motors and motor driven systems stand for two-thirds of the industry'selectricity consumption and 30 percent of the energy used in the EU.
A U.S. survey of 1994 showed that electrical motors in industryprocesses consumed approximately 25 per cent of the energy used. Thismakes electrical motors in industrial usage the largest electricity consumer in the U.S. The most common applications are fans, pumps and compressors.
In Sweden, industrial fan operation alone consumedapproximately 10 TWh in 2002. This corresponds to the yearly production of one and a half normal sized nuclear power plants, according to Mr. Andersson.
“Considering the fact that the efficiency of fans,pumps and compressors can be increased by 30 to 50 per cent, it is obvious the industry can save a lot of money. The basic industry of Sweden, consisting of about 200 companies, stands for approximately 80 percent of energy consumption and of course has the greatest saving potential,” says Mr. Andersson.
“However, small companies and municipalities can also make considerable savings by analysing their energyconsumption. Imagine all the pumps used in pump stations, water purification plants and sewage treatment works, where investing in more efficient motor control would soon pay off.”
Efficient and reliable technology
But, as Mr. Andersson points out, how do we define optimised energy consumption? Increased efficiency, reduced energy consumption, or minimised environmental impact? What technology and what products could and should be used? Naturally, everyone must carry out anenergy analysis to find the actual need and the possibilities to reduce consumption.
When it comes to motor control, there are efficient and well-tried products. Variable speed drives, soft starters, load monitors and control systems can contribute to energy savings and reduced environmental impact, and thereby reduced costs for the user.
Focused on energy savings
The Swedish company Emotron AB focuses on developing, producing and marketing products that ensure an economic and reliable operation of electrical motors. The company focuseson applications such as pumps, fans and compressors. Product development is based on experience from processes driven by electrical motors,combined with knowledge in power electronics. The goal is to offer products that not only save energy, but also reduce installation and maintenance costs.
Increasing energy costs and low prices on products such as variable speed drives combine to make more efficient motorcontrol an investment that soon pays off. With today's access to competent energy consultants and reliable products, only the will to savemoney and energy sets the limits.
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