– and this will rise to IE4 in June 2023 . This is a step in the right direction , but many operators choose to go further , opting for higher rated ( IE5 ) motors . An IE5 motor cuts electrical losses by up to 40 % compared to IE3 motors , futureproofing the business .
However , energy-efficient motors are just the start . Variable speed drives ( VSDs ) adjust the speed of a motor to match the actual demand in applications where many motors run at full speed unnecessarily . Using a motor without a drive is best described by a colleague of mine as “ like having a single switch that turns all the lights in your house on and off at the same time , rather than having a switch in every room .” Installing VSDs results in typical savings of around 25 % or more in most common motor applications . With current energy prices , that means that operators can see return on investment in a matter of months .
ABB ’ s recent global energy efficiency survey has shown that businesses are taking this initiative seriously . Of the 2,000 respondents , 97 % plan to invest or are already investing in energy efficient solutions . Furthermore , 89 % said that they will increase their spending in this area over the next five years . Simply put , there are clear signs of movement in the right direction .
97 %
Plan to invest in energy efficient solutions
CIRCULARITY IN PRACTICE Hand in hand with energy efficiency , there ’ s also a need to create a circular economy . That is why ABB is partnering with Boliden , the Swedish mining and smelting company that produces recycled copper for use in our high efficiency electric motors .
Recycled copper has a 65 % lower carbon footprint than copper from virgin ore . A regular 75-kilowatt ( kW ) motor weighing in at 650kg might include up to 80kg of copper . However , using recycled copper will result in a reduction of CO₂ emissions of around 200 kg per motor . Additionally , ABB will audit Boliden ’ s own motors to identify the least efficient motors . They will be replaced with high efficiency motors while the old motors will go for recycling – a perfect example of the circular economy in action .
EVERYBODY WINS Adopting more energyefficient technology will help industry cut emissions and operating costs . This means that both business goals and the Net Zero pledge can be satisfied . This approach , combined with greater industrial collaboration and circular thinking , will be essential to fully realise the transition to a more sustainable world .
Learn more with ABB ’ s industrial energy efficiency playbook
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