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INDUSTRY NEWS
ABB LAUNCHES TOP INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY (TIE) OPTION, A COMMITMENT TO SUPPLY THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTION IT CAN OFFER
As the world looks for more sustainable and environmentally-considerate ways of providing power, increasing the energy efficiency of electric motors is one vital step in the right direction. Although only 0.03% of electric motors are
classed as large motors drawing more than 375kW of power, they account for 23% of all the electricity consumed by motors globally, or 10.4% of all electric power usage. However, current international energy efficiency standards only cover motors up to 1000kW. Even though the standard correctly describes
these largemotors as efficient there is still room for improving their performance by 1 to 3 efficiency classes by selecting the most efficient solution. Increasing the energy efficiency of industrial motors is one of the most beneficial steps that can be taken to reduce energy consumption and, luckily, the technology needed to dramatically improve energy efficiency already available. An academic study in Sweden has established
that when using a 20MW motor drive package the use phase corresponds to ~99% of the total
CO2 emissions. With a large motor lifespan of some 20 to 25 years, increasing efficiency in this stage is clearly vital. The larger the motor, the more energy consumption the use phase will be responsible for. In countries where the electricity
production has a higher CO2 footprint, the use phase has a much higher impact. Recognition of the energy savings potential
of motor driven systems has also led to the development of energy efficiency standards in testing (IEC) and classification for motors and frequency converters (VSD) and Power Drive Systems (PDS). Today there are no mandatory regulations or requirement set for PDS or for the application as a whole. The first European ecodesign regulation was
implemented in 2011, and a new regulation then published in 2019. To serve as a basis for MEPS standards, the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has introduced standards which define efficiency classes for specificmotors. So far, the standards only cover low voltage inductionmotors up to 1000 kW. Authorities around the world have used these IEC standards as the basis for their own MEPS. In addition, some countries or regions use
local MEPS classifications in preference to the IEC classification, such as in North America where the NEMA standard is in use. These standards are broadly similar, although NEMA standards only reach the equivalent of IE3. The IEC standard for
low voltage DOLmotors, IEC 60034- 30-1, currently specifies four International Efficiency (IE) classes from IE1 (least efficient) to IE4 (most efficient). Each class of efficiency equates to roughly 18% lower energy loss, so IE4 motors have 18% lower energy losses than IE3 motors, and so on. In addition, a separate technical specification, IEC TS 60034-30-2, for VSD motors also includes an IE5 class. A third IEC standard is under implementation,
although no fixed date is set when any country or region will enforce it as mandatory legislation. This standard will initially cover MV motors up to 2000 kW. However, motors with higher power ratings will not be included. Therefore, the highest upcoming common
efficiency level formedium-voltagemotors, IE4, requires only up to 97% efficiency, even though significantly higher levels of efficiency have been achieved in largemotors. Of equal importance is the fact that the standard is limited in scope – it does notmention generators, onlymotors. Using the current IEC standards and data, ABB
has extrapolated the potential energy efficiency for largemotors up to a possible IE6 level, removing the correction factors used in the IEC standard for outputs above 10000kWto create amore suitable and demanding classification. Despite the lack of recognised standards above IE4, largemotors have the potential to improve their efficiency. For instance, for a delivered synchronous
motor rated at 44MW, ABB achieved an energy efficiency of 99.05%, which would be in line with an IE7 standard. So, ABB has decided to introduce a top
industrial efficiency (TIE) option for the products
SOUTHCO SHOWCASES NEW HANDBOOK AT ITS EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS IN WORCESTER
Southco held an ‘Editor’s Day’ event at its European headquarters in Worcester to showcase the new paper edition of its Handbook, and to inspire and strengthen relationships between Southco and its editorial partners. Delegates were able to
experience Southco’s operational and engineering capabilities and see how technology is utilised to transform a facility into a ‘smart’ factory, by connecting
software with processes to increase efficiency, 6 DESIGN SOLUTIONS MARCH 2023
whilst reducing defects, downtime, and waste. Richard Pearman, UK general manager,
commented: “Southco continues to grow and develop, not only through the launching of its new Handbook which features 80+ new pages of products, but also in its social governance, bringing people together to help encourage lasting relationships between itself and the people and communities that support it.” The handbook (HB 72) provides a
comprehensive guide to every product the manufacturer has to offer.
southco.com
and systems where it believes the prevailing efficiency standard is lagging. The first focus for the TIE option will be synchronous motors and generators above 10MW, chosen because the company can see a clear gap between the available technology and what customers are buying. This in turn indicates a large untapped potential for
significant CO2 savings. ABB has also observed that these products
are so far above current MEPS in terms of their efficiency that it will take a long time for standards to develop and mandate higher energy efficiency requirements. The top industrial efficiency option outlines an
alternative that provides the highest possible energy efficiency without compromising on reliability, complexity or specification compliance. It will give end users an easy and clear way to take
amajor step in reducing CO2 emissions while also significantly reducing total cost of ownership. With the TIE option the suppliers, as experts on
their respective products/solutions, commit to providing theirmost efficient solution available. The TIE option is not intended to compete
with the development of new, more demanding standards. In fact, its purpose is to raise awareness and actively support the fast-track introduction of such official standards for large electrical equipment while recognising the need
to act immediately to reduce CO2 emissions. Ultimately, the target of the TIE option is not
only to improve the energy efficiency ofmotors and generators alone, but rather for a wider range of products and solutions.
www.abb.com
NEWS INBRIEF
Schaeffler has announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares in ECO-Adapt SAS, a provider of solutions for condition monitoring based on electrical signal analysis and systems for the optimisation of energy consumption.
www.schaeffler.co.uk
BMZ Holding has acquired VISATRONIC. Themanufacturer of complete electronic flatmodules has already been a valued
supplier of the globally operating battery manufacturer for years.
www.bmz-group.com
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