ABB’s recent Energy Appraisal service, conducted between June and September 2023, has brought to light significant energy-saving opportunities in industrial electric motors. After analysing over 2,000 motor-driven systems, the study revealed a potential average energy reduction of 31 per cent per motor.
ABB’s Energy Appraisal service translates to an impressive total of around 2.1 terawatt-hours (TWh) in potential energy savings over the expected 20-year lifespan of these systems, roughly equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 1.25 million average European Union households.
This comprehensive energy assessment is designed to help industrial enterprises identify the most effective areas for investment to maximize energy savings and return on investment (ROI). By collecting operational data from existing motor systems and comparing it to the potential improvements achievable through methods such as the implementation of variable speed drives (VSDs), resizing, or modernizing equipment, companies can make more informed decisions.
The potential benefits of these energy efficiencies are considerable, including a substantial reduction in electricity consumption and corresponding CO2 emissions. The environmental and economic impact varies by region, depending on the local energy mix and costs. For instance, applying these savings in the UAE could result in around 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions saved and an ROI period of six months. In Germany, these figures would be approximately 940,000 tonnes of CO2 and an ROI of just three months. The energy savings in these countries are equivalent to the emissions offset by a coal plant over several months.
Erich Labuda, president of ABB’s Motion Services business, highlighted the significance of these findings, especially in the context of global discussions on climate change, like the upcoming COP28. He noted that the substantial energy savings identified across 2,000 motors underscore the untapped potential of electric motor-driven systems in transitioning to a low-carbon society.
Given that there are over 300 million industrial electric motors globally, many of which are over 20 years old and outperformed by modern, high-efficiency alternatives, the potential for global energy and CO2 savings is enormous. The motors assessed spanned various industries, including food and beverage, chemical processing, energy, and HVAC. The appraisals consistently showed that fans typically present the most significant energy-saving opportunities, and the greatest potential lies in motors that currently operate without a VSD. VSDs are crucial for aligning motor output with demand, thereby reducing energy consumption.
These insights align with the broader industrial energy efficiency narrative presented in “The Case for Industrial Energy Efficiency” report by the Energy Efficiency Movement. This report provides corporate leaders with strategies based on mature technologies to effectively reduce costs and emissions.
