Small investment in Variable Speed Drives to improve motor efficiency provides real savings

(21/09/2009)

Whilst managers in UK industry are aware of the scale of rises in electricity prices and the environmental consequences of its excessive use, there is limited knowledge of how electricity costs can be effectively reduced. Electric motors consume huge amounts of electricity; about two-thirds of all industrial energy use. Even a simple electric motor, costing a few hundred pounds, can be expected to consume many tens of thousands of pounds worth of electricity over its useful lifetime.

Most power in electric motor use is consumed in powering fans, pumps and compressors. Such devices can be found in air conditioning & ventilation systems, boilers and compressors, which are located in most commercial and many domestic buildings, as well as in heavy industrial plants. Using a variable speed drive allows the speed of these motors to be accurately controlled and optimised for the application, resulting in typical efficiency improvements of 30%.

According to GAMBICA, the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK, a relatively small investment in Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) to improve motor efficiency provides real payback in substantial and sustained savings in periods of both recession and growth.

British industry and commerce can add £4.5 billion a year to its bottom line, a significant 3% improvement on profits, by implementing a single, simple energy saving measure; fitting variable speed drives to its electric motors.

It may seem surprising that a relatively small percentage of potential users of VSDs in energy saving applications have actually implemented the technology. Modern VSDs are widely available, proven devices that have never been easier or quicker to install with the latest models using automatic tuning and setup features.

Unlike almost every other energy saving initiative, the installation of variable speed motor controls delivers 100% return on capital employed (RoCE) and moreover, because of the rising costs of energy and the stable prices of the technology, the return on investment (RoI) is generally delivered in less than one year.

A further incentive is that, when installed in variable torque applications, variable speed drives qualify for tax relief in the form of enhanced capital allowances (ECA) from HM Revenue & Customs. This means that the full capital costs of equipment and its installation can be offset against income tax in year one.

The use of variable speed drives is therefore one of the most easily implemented and cost effective ways to achieve carbon reduction to meet the obligations under the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Steven Brambley of GAMBICA commented: "The Government and the institutional energy efficiency bodies have a responsibility to promote and encourage users of electric motors to control them efficiently. In these times of rising commodity costs and social awareness, there is also an opportunity for business leader's to take advantage of the financial incentive by scrutinizing the real cost centres of their own organisations. They should identify their electric motor content and potential cost savings, identify and appoint a person responsible for them and challenge these people to ensure that all available opportunities for energy efficiency are utilised and maximised.

"The consequences of climate change will affect us all. Promoting your business as an active player in applying energy saving methods, by utilising easily available technology, gives real credibility to your green credentials and commitment to future sustainability. Take up the challenge to improve your bottom line as well as the planet!"

Related categories:  Energy efficiency   Industrial   Office and commercial   Speed drives