Roadmap to saving enough energy to power 1.25 million homes

ABB is a client of Business Reporter.

Erich Labuda, the President of ABB Motion Services, believes that implementing energy efficiency audits can significantly improve industrial efficiency.

Engines can be found in various places, functioning as the unseen laborers of society. They supply energy for tasks such as regulating temperature, distributing clean water, and creating essential goods on a daily basis.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that industrial electric motors worldwide consume approximately 50% of all electricity.

In the future, these motors will run on renewable energy as we move towards a more sustainable energy system. However, building the necessary infrastructure for renewable energy is a lengthy process and we are under pressure to reach our goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Improving the efficiency of motors is a timely approach that decreases energy usage and saves money simultaneously. According to the IEA, prioritizing energy efficiency could lead to one-third of emissions reductions in their Net Zero Emissions by 2050 plan.

In order to demonstrate the potential benefits of our industry, we conducted a thorough examination of over 2,000 motor-driven systems used in various industries and applications.

Through the use of energy audits, we have discovered the potential for significant energy savings of 31 percent per motor by upgrading to more efficient technology. The main opportunities for these savings were found in motors that were not equipped with a variable speed drive (VSD), which allows the motor to adjust its speed according to the task at hand. This could result in a return on investment (ROI) in as little as three months, depending on the cost of energy in the area. Overall, we have identified a total of 2.1 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy savings over a 20-year period. This is enough energy to power 1.25 million homes in Europe for a year, equivalent to a large city.

Industrial companies are aiming to increase their energy efficiency, but are unsure of how to begin. A survey by ABB revealed that 97% of industry leaders are open to investing in energy efficiency, yet only 41% feel adequately informed to take action.

Energy audits address this issue by allowing businesses to identify the specific areas where they can save the most energy in their fleets of motor-driven systems. This allows businesses to focus on systems with the highest potential for energy savings.

Audits function by collecting operational information from motors in order to evaluate their effectiveness and productivity. This can be done manually or digitally, much like how we use a Fitbit on our wrist to monitor our personal health and performance. A specialist compares the motor’s current performance with the potential performance that could be achieved by upgrading to a more efficient system. This may involve adjusting the size or updating the equipment, or incorporating a VSD. The specialist can then determine the anticipated energy savings and reduction in emissions from the upgrade, as well as the expected return on investment (ROI).

Tarkett, a flooring company based in Sweden, serves as an example. In 2022, an assessment of their energy efficiency revealed that replacing 10 motors with more advanced technology could increase efficiency from 80 to 95 percent. By implementing this recommendation, the company was estimated to save approximately 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) every year. This amount of energy is equivalent to charging the phones of all 68 million residents in the UK. The projected payback period for this investment was less than 18 months.

The estimated return on investment and reduction in emissions may vary by country due to differences in energy sources and pricing. In our recent study, we evaluated 2,000 motors from various countries. For instance, if all the evaluated motors were in use in the UAE, it would result in an energy savings of 2.1 TWh and prevent 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, with a return on investment of six months based on November 2023 data. On the other hand, if the motors were operating in Germany, the savings would be equivalent to 940,000 tonnes of CO2 and an ROI of only three months. These savings could offset the emissions from a coal plant for two months in Germany and three months in the UAE.

If we apply the results discovered in this study to the 300 million industrial motors currently in operation around the world, the potential effect of upgrading all inefficient ones becomes clear. It’s not surprising that the IEA has stated that optimizing and replacing motor systems with high-efficiency ones could decrease global electricity usage by 10%.

The results indicate that switching to more efficient motor systems is a simple and affordable approach to help achieve Net Zero goals and reduce expenses. While choosing environmentally friendly options is typically seen as costly, this is not always the case when it comes to energy efficiency.

Utilizing energy audits to pinpoint optimal areas for enhancing efficiency in industries can aid in expediting our shift towards a low-carbon community, while also saving companies finances.

Discover more about the Energy Appraisal offered by ABB.

Erich Labuda is President of Motion Services at ABB and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. ABB Motion is a global business with a turnover of $6.5bn and 20,000 employees focused on electrical motors, drives and mechanical power transmission. ABB Motion Services helps customers maximise uptime, extend product lifetime, enhance performance and boost the energy efficiency of their operations through tailored services and digital solutions.

Erich has been employed by ABB for more than 12 years and assumed his current role in February 2023. He is a business leader who prioritizes customer satisfaction and achieving results. He has a successful history in managing portfolios and driving strategy in the industrial goods and energy industry.

Source: independent.co.uk