FEATURE Drives, motors & controls


       2


 DRIVE SOLUTIONS DELIVER LASTING EFFICIENCY


Stuart Swarbrick, electronics sales manager at SEW-EURODRIVE UK & Ireland, explains how ever- soaring energy costs can be reduced by controlling, monitoring and optimising machinery in real time


T


he UK manufacturing industry is facing a series of tough choices due to rising energy costs. Increase prices and risk losing customers, or cut  are having to curtail investment plans, hold back on production, and surrender to overseas  competitive prices.  much they produce though, it is how  systems operate during every shift. Production lines are often running with  legacy control settings that draw more power than the process truly requires. Without clear  system performance, energy consumption becomes an invisible overhead embedded in everyday operations. A recent joint report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Energy UK1 showed almost 90 per cent of businesses have seen energy costs increase over the past three years, with UK industrial prices amongst the highest in the developed world.  to factory closures and made it increasingly  locating new production lines in the UK, undermining employment levels. System  become central to competitiveness, not just sustainability targets.


 


24 March 2026 | Automation


  manufacturers reduce energy consumption without compromising output reliability or 


Start with an energy audit When costs are tight, you don’t want to invest   an energy audit, assessing which parts of your production line are consuming the most energy, and where waste is occurring. By analysing historical data such as maintenance logs and utility bills, you can uncover operational trends across the factory  identify spikes in energy consumption during  Through your audit, you can establish   and use it as a benchmark against actual performance. This makes it far easier    maintaining a streamlined production line.


Implement phased integration of new drives, motors and control software A common issue uncovered during an energy audit is oversized gear units and motors, which are made to meet peak demand but routinely operate far below capacity. This mismatch drives up energy consumption and increases mechanical stress, in turn making


DRIVE SOLUTIONS DELIVER LASTING EFFICIENCY


       


       


Recognise the value of operational insight             


      1. Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and


Energy UK: https://www.cbi.org.uk/articles/cutting- business-energy-costs-the-case-for-action/ 2. Energy Institute: https://www.energyinst.


org/?a=1406830


SEW-EURODRIVE www.sew-eurodrive.co.uk


automationmagazine.co.uk


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