DRIVES, MOTORS & CONTROLS
A WISER WAY TO POWER THE PLANET
Ivor Vidjen, Global Head of Strategy & Business Development, ABB IEC Low Voltage Motors, says true sustainability can be achieved by upgrading to advanced motor and drive
technologies
s the world accelerates the shift to cleaner energy, much of the focus has centred around expanding renewable systems like wind and solar. While increasing low-carbon power generation is crucial, an equally vital — yet often overlooked — priority is reducing the energy we use in the first place. At ABB, we believe true sustainability begins
A
with efficiency. By optimising energy use across sectors, we can curb emissions, lower operational costs, and ease the strain on power infrastructure, all while making strides towards global decarbonisation targets. A megawatt saved is better than a megawatt generated — the cleanest and cheapest energy is the energy that’s never consumed. It’s no surprise that the International Energy Agency refers to energy efficiency as the “First Fuel” in reaching Net Zero.
Electric motors are responsible for 45% of global electricity use, making efficiency gains in this area essential. To address this, ABB’s IE6 synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motors go beyond the current IE5 standard, minimising
energy losses, lowering emissions, and extending equipment lifespan. When paired with variable speed drives (VSDs), motors can precisely align with application speed demand, eliminating redundant energy usage. But despite these clear benefits, fewer than 25% of motors globally are fitted with a VSD, revealing huge untapped potential for improving industrial energy efficiency around the world.
ABB’s facility in Vaasa, Finland
Targeted efficiency upgrades Organisations that adopt readily available solutions such as these can achieve considerable energy and cost savings, becoming more competitive and sustainable. This approach is already delivering tangible outcomes. In Bulgaria, Aurubis — Europe’s largest copper producer — upgraded outdated motors with ABB's IE4 and IE5 motors and installed 300 industrial drives, lowering site energy use by 28%. The project saves 25GWh annually — enough to supply electricity to over 6,000 European households — slashing annual CO2 emissions by 12,000 tons and paying itself back in just 3.5 years. This project shows how targeted efficiency upgrades can strengthen both business performance and sustainability, especially as Europe tightens emissions policies.
Similarly, Indian steel manufacturer Real Ispat cut over 3 millionkWh in annual usage after deploying ABB motors and drives alongside operational innovations like billet hot charging and reusing unburnt waste coal as lower-
30 MAY 2025 | PROCESS & CONTROL
emission fuel. These changes significantly reduced expenses and carbon emissions, setting Real Ispat apart as a sustainability pioneer among SMEs in a carbon-intensive industry pivotal to India's decarbonisation strategy.
The value of energy efficiency spans all sectors — and public infrastructure is no exception. Germany’s Kulmbach sewage plant installed ABB’s IE5 SynRM motor and ACQ580 drive, projecting savings of 7-10% — a significant economic, environmental, and local advantage in the face of rising energy expenses and constrained municipal budgets. Reduced energy consumption at the pump station directly cuts demand at the local power plant. It’s a big step forward to meeting Germany’s carbon-neutral targets and contributing to regional climate goals. ABB also prioritises sustainability within our own operations, achieving an 84% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019 across our IEC Low Voltage Motors division. Sites in Finland, India, and China now employ rooftop solar, heat recovery, LED lights, and the same high- efficiency motors we offer our customers. We are positioning energy efficiency as a strategic, immediate initiative, not a trade-off. For businesses beginning their decarbonisation journeys, upgrading to advanced motor and drive technologies offers tangible rewards: lower operational costs over time, reduced energy intensity, and a stronger base for broader sustainability measures. Clean energy defines our future, but energy
efficiency brings it within reach sooner. Let’s power our planet wisely — by using only what’s necessary.
ABB
https://new.abb.com/motors-generators/iec- low-voltage-motors
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