Electricity Consumption in Ukraine
About half of the electricity consumed in Ukraine is used by industrial enterprises, and another approximately 12% by communal and household businesses. In these energy sectors, the majority of energy is used by electric motors. Unfortunately, most powerful drive motors operate using outdated control methods or are not regulated at all. Unregulated motors continuously operate at maximum capacity, leading to unnecessary energy waste. At the same time, in many systems where such power drives are used, the load on the motor varies, which opens up opportunities for significant reductions in electricity consumption.
Methods of Controlling Electric Motors
An effective method for regulating the operation of a motor depending on the load is equipping the power mechanism with a frequency-controlled drive. This allows for a reduction in electricity consumption by 30-40%.
One of the modern ways of frequency control for motors is the implementation of frequency converters - devices that change the AC voltage supplied to the motor, setting it in the necessary operating mode.
Economic Viability of Implementing Frequency Converters
In today's conditions, where electricity prices are constantly rising, the costs for purchasing, setting up, and operating a frequency converter are usually recouped in less than two years.
Application of Converters in Pumping and Ventilation Systems
For pumping and ventilation systems, the payback period can be even shorter. The use of converters in liquid pumps not only reduces electricity costs but also significantly decreases the costs of the liquid itself, usually water. In the case of fans, low loads and the lack of need for many protective mechanisms allow for the use of simplified models of converters, which are significantly cheaper than their more advanced counterparts.
Practice has shown that reducing the average working frequency of rotational speed by 20% can cut electricity consumption in half! Using controllers, "sleep" mode, flow compensation, and other additional solutions can increase electricity savings up to 70%.
Automation of Control Using Converters
There are cases where the capabilities of frequency converters allow for controlling several devices simultaneously and creating a unified automated control system. This may not bring direct financial savings, but it simplifies and organizes management in a more convenient way, reducing the likelihood of accidents and failures.
Disadvantages of Frequency Converters
The installation of frequency converters also has some disadvantages. The most serious of these is the emission of significant harmonic distortions into the power supply network. The company "Danfoss" is actively working to eliminate these problems and already offers a number of effective solutions. Active and passive protective filters, 12-pulse drives, and other components can be added to frequency converters to improve the operation of supply networks.