Motor Challenge Programme in Austria – Improving industrial energy efficiency

Konstantin Kulterer, Austrian Energy Agency
Claus Weberstorfer, sattler energie consulting GmbH, Austria

Keywords

Motor Challenge Programme, energy efficiency, motor driven systems, industry, energy saving, compressed air, fans, pumps, drives

Abstract

Improving energy efficiency is often the cheapest, fastest and most environmentally friendly way to meet the world’s energy demand. The Motor Challenge Programme (MCP) is a voluntary programme 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 programme, 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 an average of 12 %. The following measures were taken in the companies: Application of high efficient motors (efficiency class 1) – potential approx. 8 %, Eliminating leakages in compressed air systems, reducing pressure level, of a control system integration – total potential approx. 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 – potential 20 %.