Schneider Electric's active energy efficiency solutions, reduce industrial energy consumption by 25%

"Active Energy Efficiency is defined as effecting permanent change through measurement, monitoring, and control of energy usage&quo...

"Active Energy Efficiency is defined as effecting permanent change through measurement, monitoring, and control of energy usage" as per a recent whitepaper released by Schneider Electric. Active Energy Efficiency can be achieved when energy-saving devices are not only installed, but controlled to use only the energy required. It is this aspect of control that is critical to achieving the maximum efficiency. Two thirds of all the electricity consumed by industry goes into powering electric motors. This statement is true for just about every industrialized nation in the world. In processes, understanding where energy can be saved can be more technical. Many fluid power applications (hydraulics, pneumatics, and other air movement) can present opportunities for savings. For example, many processes still use mechanical vanes and vents to route air to atmosphere when it is not required. An easily installed VSD can be used to control turning the fan on or off.Moreover, such fan arrangements frequently use confi gurations (such as centrifugal fans) that can be slowed down without signifi cant loss of performance. Consider that a 22 kW fan that is reduced in speed from 50 Hz to 47 Hz could save double its price and installation costs in the first year.Finally most production facility managers are preoccupied with producing greater volumes at lower prices, rather than addressing ‘overhead’ costs such as energy.