FEATURE Drives, Controls & Motors
ABB drive helps to make life under the
sea a better place to be
The sharks, seals, penguins and other creatures at SEA LIFE Weymouth are benefitting from a more sustainable environment following the installation of an ABB variable speed drive
I
nstalling a variable speed drive (VSD) to the sea-creature habitats’ water aeration system at SEA LIFE Weymouth has allowed the resident animals to enjoy a quieter, cleaner and better environment. The centre will also benefi t from lower operating costs and a reduction in energy usage. The ABB drive was one of two that were
previously used in a sea pump application. It was subsequently determined that only one drive was needed, freeing up the second for use elsewhere. With the help of ABB Value Provider, IDS, the park identifi ed an aeration system’s blower as a candidate for repurposing the VSD. It was used to oxygenate the water in the habitats that are housing thousands of aquatic residents.
Following the retrofi t, the VSD reduced the blower’s motor speed by 10%, resulting in an energy saving of £840 per year. By fi nely controlling the valves on the air lines running to each tank, the park’s staff adjust the pressure depending on a display’s occupants. The blower now runs quieter than before, helping to create a more pleasant environment for guests viewing the animals, too. A rapid installation and commissioning lasting approximately one hour ensured no disruption of air supply, assuring the safety of the animals.
“This was an enjoyable project to work on since it’s not every day that we get to work with seals, stingrays and penguins,” said Blaise Ford, Managing Director, IDS.
10 October 2021 | Automation
“However, at the same time, the pressure was on to get the job done quickly to ensure an uninterrupted supply of air for the habitats. The installation went swimmingly!” The project refl ects the commitment
of SEA LIFE Weymouth and its operator Merlin Entertainments to ensuring that energy effi ciency and carbon reduction are at the heart of its operations, as Dare Ilori, Group Head of Sustainability, explains: “Sustainability is a fundamental part of our values at Merlin Entertainments, and this project was not so much about saving money but about searching for every opportunity we possibly can to improve the energy effi ciency of our operations and protect our planet and the creatures within our oceans. Every saving we can make is worthwhile – however small.” Merlin Entertainments operates a wide
range of attractions and theme parks across Europe, including Alton Towers Resort, Legoland Windsor, and The lastminute. com London Eye. The 7-acre SEA LIFE Weymouth attraction comprises an outdoor park, which includes playgrounds and conservation areas, and the indoor aquarium that features thousands of sea animals from all over the planet – from seals and sharks to turtles and tropical fi sh. The project also demonstrates ABB’s commitment to sustainability, as outlined in its recently-announced Energy Effi ciency Movement. This sets out a range of technologies and innovations for motors and motor-driven equipment that will be crucial in meeting the UK government’s target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. Electric motor systems account for up to 70% of all electricity consumed by industry, contributing to increased carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Motors are at the forefront of eff orts to move to a de-carbonised society. It has been estimated that if all of the 300-million-plus industrial motor-driven systems currently in operation were replaced with optimised, high-effi ciency motors and VSDs, global electricity consumption could be reduced by up to 10%, as well as signifi cantly reducing operating costs in industrial applications.
CONTACT:
ABB Energy Efficiency Movement
www.energyefficiencymovement.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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