Motor Challenge Program in Austria: Improving Industrial Energy Efficiency

Claus Weberstorfer and Peter Sattler, sattler energie consulting GmbH

Keywords

Abstract

Improving energy efficiency is often the cheapest, fastest and most environmentally friendly way to meet the world’s energy needs. The Motor Challenge Program (MCP) is a voluntary program of the European Commission by which industrial companies receive assistance in improving the energy efficiency of their motor driven systems. MCP was integrated in the Austrian national energy efficiency program, which has the first focus on pumps, fans and compressed air systems. These systems are responsible for about 70% of the electrical energy consumption in the industry. Participants commit to identify and realise energy efficient measures defined in an action plan.
In the year 2005/06 10 companies in Austria decided to join the MCP – the results indicate success: Consultants were able to prove the high economic potential for energy savings in motor driven systems and found out an average economic saving potential of about 500 MWh. The electrical energy demand of 8 companies could be reduced by, on average, 12%.
The following measures were taken in the companies:

Application of high efficiency motors (efficiency class 1) – potential ~8%.
Eliminating leakages in compressed air systems, reducing level of pressure, integration of a controlling system – total potential ~30–50%.
Reducing the operation time of fans, assembling a variable speed drive (VSD) – potential 40–60%.
Optimization of hydraulic systems for pumps, VSD instead of throttles.