Variable frequency drives: a key role in energy efficiency

Saving energy by implementing solutions that optimise efficiency is one of today's most relevant issues and will undoubtedly remain so in the future. Geopolitical factors aside, there has been a shift in public awareness of the need to reduce carbon

And what better place to start than by reducing the energy consumed by motors, which according to the International Energy Agency (AIE) use around half of all electricity worldwide? It is clear that any improvements to their efficiency will have a positive impact on energy savings while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change.

To achieve this goal, the IEA itself has recognised that one particular device has a pivotal role to play: the variable frequency drive (also known as a frequency converter, variable speed converter or speed drive), whose mission is to regulate the speed of electric motors in order to tailor their energy consumption to real-time demand. By doing this, the motor's energy consumption can be reduced by 20-70%, which gives us some idea of the enormous potential for savings.

The market is welcoming the advantages of variable frequency drives with open arms, and the forecasts reflect this. According to a study by specialist firm Precedence Research, global demand for these devices will have doubled by the end of this decade, and they can increasingly be found in a wide variety of residential, industrial and commercial applications, ranging from air-conditioning systems to facilities for renewable energy generation (to give two specific examples that are set to experience solid growth).

Although not all types of motor-driven machines are fitted with variable frequency drives, the number of industrial installations and processes that need to regulate the speed of their motors is increasing in line with the need to adapt to the requirements of the load. Furthermore, the range of power outputs offered by motors can be extensive, so it is crucial to have a drive that can handle them.

Drives that are versatile, efficient and easy to use

Reduced energy consumption is undoubtedly one of the major advantages of variable frequency drives. To this end, the devices are able to control the starting current, which can be up to 7 or 8 times higher than the current at maximum load. These spikes in current affect the longevity of the windings and generate a large amount of heat, which is just wasted energy. Another advantage of variable frequency drives is their ability to mitigate the impact of mains disturbances, along with improved control of motor acceleration and adjustable torque limiting functions which, in turn, help to protect the equipment being powered by the motor.

All of these advantages are offered by Salicru’s ControlVIT range of variable frequency drives, which features devices that can be used in all types of applications to easily and efficiently control asynchronous single-phase and three-phase motors ranging from 0.2kW to 500kW, depending on the model. Our drives have a wide variety of uses and applications, including conveyor belts, fans, mixers, industrial dryers, barriers, dosing units and many other types of machinery, depending on the range in question. Lastly, it is important to note that the use of these drives is made even easier by the option of local and remote monitoring.