Variable-speed drives – why you WILL make your money back

When it comes to saving money in electric motor-driven applications, we find that many businesses are initially sceptical about the power of variable-speed drives. In a world where we’re told that anything that seems too good to be true usually is, it’s easy to dismiss a product that manufacturers say is capable of reducing energy consumption by as much as 60 per cent.

That’s why automation company ABB has used its vast knowledge and experience to create the EnergySave calculator, an interactive application which allows users to compare the efficiency of their current process flow control with a projection based on the use of variable-speed drives.

Once data such as current flow control method, motor power and yearly running time has been entered, the EnergySave calculator presents users with an accurate forecast of how much money and CO2 they could save following the installation of a drive. The annual savings forecast allow users to calculate their likely return on investment, which in many cases can be within 12 months.

EnergySave features two modes – Basic and Advanced – which can be selected depending on the technical information available to the user, with the latter offering the most accurate assessment.

Discovering your potential energy-efficiency improvement is quick, easy and free, so have a go at the EnergySave calculator here. For all your ABB drives enquiries, call Alan Roberts of Gibbons Engineering Group on 07966 468430 or email alan@gibbonsgroup.co.uk.