Industry urged to maximise motor efficiency

Drives solutions group SEW-Eurodrive has used the recently held ‘Driving towards industrial energy savings’ seminar to urge industry to consider the total life cycle energy cost of both the motor and its complete drive system when using a motorised process.

The seminar demonstrated how correct sizing and selection of individual drive-train components can optimise system performance, increase energy savings and reduce operating costs.

The seminar presenters, engineering manager Frank Cerra, and strategic marketing and product manager Darren Klonowski, provided attendees with an in-depth analysis of electric motor application energy use and highlighted where energy saving could be made.

"A potential saving of up to 2.2% can typically be realised just by incorporating high-efficiency motors into the application," said Cerra.

"But this is really just the tip of the iceberg. A further 9% can be achieved by implementing accurate drive configuration and speed control matched to the application, while a staggering 20% saving can be obtained by optimising the mechanical portion of the drive system."

While Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS2006) compliance is important, Cerra says it is perhaps more important to look beyond the motor itself and consider the drive train as a whole. By optimising the entire drive solution — from the gearbox, motor and the drive electronics, through to the driven machine — significant energy savings can be realised.