Moving and processing the incredible volumes of water required by modern society is extremely energy intensive. Research shows that the water and wastewater industry alone consumes as much as 4% of the world’s total electrical energy (International Energy Australia, 2018). In line with Australia’s transition to Net Zero, experts foresee the potential for a 15% reduction in energy usage within the water industry by 2040 through the widespread adoption of energy-efficient measures.
Today, electricity makes up an average of 45% of a water processing facility’s operating cost. Embracing energy-efficient technologies present an opportunity for firms to reduce energy use, leading to savings in operational costs.
Where can energy be saved?
A significant portion of the electricity used in the water and wastewater industries goes toward powering pumps. These pumps are driven by electric motors. Upgrading to more efficient motors, such as the SynRM IE5, is an effective way to save power.
In Australia, energy efficiency classes are set out by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), with classification ranging from the minimum motor class IE3 to more efficient models, such as ABB’s SynRM, delivering an ultra-premium IE5 class.
Pairing motors with variable speed drives (VSD) offers even greater efficiency. VSD’s effectively control motor speed and torque to match application requirements, reducing energy consumption. This compares to traditional methods, where motors run at full speed regardless of load requirements, meaning energy wastage. For instance, in a pump application, using a VSD to reduce motor speed by just 20%, this can cut energy use by 50%. ABB ACQ580 Water drives are designed specifically for water industry applications. The ACQ580 also offers an ultra-low harmonic variant, ensuring a stable and smooth power network during water treatment and operation. Featuring advanced features such as sensor less flow calculation, multipump control, level control, soft pipe fill, dry run protection, quick ramps and pump cleaning, the ACQ580 delivers reliable performance and low maintenance costs. Their simple form factor and plug-and-play features mean that they can easily be added to existing installations, new projects and OEM designs.
Rapid deployment, rapid ROI
By upgrading to an ABB SynRM-Drive package, this technology can effectively reduce energy bills by as much as 30%, paying for the difference in investment in as little as a year. Beyond that, the motor will continue to yield savings for its ten-plus-year lifespan.
To better understand the real-world potential of these technologies, read the case study of UnityWater Deception Bay Pumping Station, in Queensland Australia. By incorporating the ACQ580 Water Drive in their system, they saw a doubling of water flow, reduction in maintenance costs of over AUD $26,000 per annum, as well as a halving of their energy costs. As a result of this technology, UnityWater generated a return on investment in less than 6 months.
Improving efficiency – it just makes sense
The reasons for adopting more efficient motors and drive systems in the water and wastewater sector is a clear. Not only do these upgrades enable operators to reduce operational costs and energy consumption, but they also pay for themselves in savings over a remarkably short period of time. At IPD, our dedicated team are committed to delivering support and services to help businesses optimise their whole operations.
For more information, contact IPD on 1300 556 601 or visit: https://resources.ipd.com.au/motorprotection/ and https://www.ipd.com.au/variable-speed-drives