In the industry sector alone motor-driven systems have been consuming the most electricity. [i] Given this background and the insights from the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, there is a crucial need to cut down on the energy usage of motors and improve their efficiencies for reducing carbon emissions.
It is also said that approximately 90% of the cost of a pump through its lifetime comes from the amount of energy it consumes.[ii] This also explains why motors and pumps have the highest potential in increasing the number of Negawatts – watt of energy that has not been used through energy conservation or the use of energy-efficient products.
Industries switching to energy efficient pumps can significantly cut down their carbon footprint, in turn, having a positive impact on the environment and also saving on costs.
Understanding energy efficient pumps
When it comes to pumps, motors are a crucial component. Energy efficiency in motors is measured in five levels from IE1 to IE5. The usage of IE5 (International Efficiency) motors provides the highest energy efficiency, by reducing the energy consumption of the system and improving it to a minimum of15% in comparison to a typical pump load profile.
E-pumps use IE5 motors and offer increased functionality, making them easy to use in a wide-range of complex applications. With innovations being incorporated into E-pumps, they are manufactured with the capabilities of being smart and intelligent enabling us to meet the changing demands of a climate conscious industry. E-pumps analyse the consumption patterns of a system and recommend only the required resources necessary for conserving energy as well as resources in use. High efficiency E-pumps with IE5 motors contribute substantially to energy savings, reduced CO2 footprint and cut operational costs. In 2020 alone the avoided CO2 emissions from Grundfos E-pumps was 270,000 tons.
For instance, Rakshit Pharma, a leading API manufacturer based in Vishakhapatnam, is an establishment that is conscious about its water usage. The company utilized Grundfos iSOLUTIONS and went a long way in reducing complexity of its water systems by using E-pumps. The result being that energy efficiency and dependability of the pumping systems saw a significant increase.
Similarly, the application of technologies like Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence have enabled predictive maintenance of pumps through remote management of water infrastructure.
A UK chemical company needed to upgrade its existing system to improve the reliability of its manufacturing processes. Since cooling is such a critical element of this company’s processes and product output, control and reliability of that process was critical along with efficient energy savings. The company chose iSOLUTIONS package with intelligent pumps and controls which helped them in savings of more than 50% than before.[iii]
Industries can also opt for energy audits that help them understand their ‘actual’ needs. An Energy Audit is the most comprehensive analysis of installed pumps.It is a detailed, measurement-based analysis of the current pump’s performance with suggestions for future energy savings and improved performance. These audits can help industries understand what systems to replace with newer, efficient pumps, enabling reduction in energy consumption and increase in efficiency.
Unlocking a sustainable future
Industries are proactively shifting to more energy efficient and sustainable methods as they realise their role in creating a cleaner world. Looking at this from a business angle, there are substantial benefits in terms of cost savingsby adopting sustainable solutions. Through efficient implementation, the magnitude of energy savings is truly significant. Saving on negawatts will help the industry and the world, positively impact the climate and reduce carbon emissions. As per the IPCC report, it is the right time to shift and adopt sustainable policies to avoid irreversible climate catastrophes in the days to come.
[ii] https://www.searchingindustrial.com/media/1078/pumps-could-change-the-world-again
Note: Grundfos says that it manufactures energy efficient E-pumps with IE-5 motors. The company claims that in 2020 alone the avoided CO2 emissions from Grundfos E-pumps was 270,000 tons. For instance, Rakshit Pharma, a leading API manufacturer based in Vishakhapatnam, is an establishment that is conscious about its water usage. The company utilized GrundfosiSOLUTIONS and went a long way in reducing complexity of its water systems by using E-pumps. The result being that energy efficiency and dependability of the pumping systems saw a significant increase.
