The European Commission estimates that there are 8 billion electric motors in the EU, consuming a massive 50% of electricity produced. Energy represents approximately 97 percent of the operating costs of an electric motor – and according to ZVEI (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik und Elektroindustrie e. V. [German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association]) motors represent approximately 70% of industrial energy usage. This is why the energy efficiency of your electric motors is so important. Not only regarding the cost effectiveness and competitiveness of your plants and systems, but also for our environment. When all is said and done, the lower current consumption resulting from our high-performance SIMOTICS low-voltage motors means less CO2, which as we know has a negative impact on our climate.
Already today, high efficiency SIMOTICS low-voltage motors already surpass all of the even more stringent energy efficiency regulations that will come into force in the coming years. These motors not only drastically reduce energy usage and costs, but also represent a high degree of security of your investment for the future. Examples include a seamless portfolio of motors in IE4 – Super Premium Efficiency – with power ratings ranging from just a few kW up to 1 MW, or reluctance motors, which, even in partial load operation, achieve the highest system efficiencies.
New eco-design requirements for electric motors in Europe
Effective July 1, 2021, a new EU regulation comes into force specifying the energy efficiency of electric motors.Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 Minimum Efficiency Performance Standard (MEPS)
Manufacturers, who wish to market consumer or industrial products such as electric motors in the European market must guarantee that these comply with the appropriate efficiency regulations. Electric drives consume approximately 50% of the electric power generated in the EU. As a consequence, they play a decisive role when it comes to reducing energy consumption and the use of valuable resources. Further, it is worth noting that the requirements placed on energy-efficient products are continually on the rise.
To determine the energy efficiency of a motor, in the past, globally applicable efficiency classes and a series of energy efficiency regulations were drawn up, which are summarized under the eco-design name. The efficiency classifications are based on the international IEC/EN 60034-30-1 Standard, which defines Classes IE0 to IE4 for electric motors. An efficiency class makes it simpler to make a direct energy-related comparison and certification of electric motors regarding to what extent they can reduce the usage of valuable resources.
To counter the climate change in the future, to reduce the emission of CO2 and promote energy saving, the Member States and the various organizations of the EU have signed off on a new regulation for the energy-efficient operation of motors. The requirements placed on electric motors have again been significantly made more stringent.
The previous regulation 640/2009/EG will be replaced by the new regulation (EU) 1781/2019. This new regulation defines minimum requirements for motors, and are called MEPS (Minimum Efficiency Performance Standards). For the first time ever, they also include a clear ruling for converters as well as an IE4 efficiency class requirement for electric motors.
The new regulations are estimated to save the EU 110TWh by 2030 (equivalent to the electricity consumption of the Netherlands). This would result in a CO2 saving of 40 million tonnes per year. Our motors are in widespread use and we take our responsibility for sustainable industrial production seriously, making our motors ready not only for next year’s regulations, but for years to come.
SinaSave energy efficiency tool
You specify the application conditions, and SinaSave determines the energy saving potential and payback times. Further, it allows different control modes and product combinations for pump and fan drive systems to be compared. Supported by various graphic views, for example power losses according to IEC 61800-9-2, with SinaSave you can make well-founded investment decisions.
SIMOTICS reluctance motors – for optimized system efficiency
The synchronous-reluctance drive system from Siemens comprises a SIMOTICS reluctance motor and a SIMAMICS converter. Both components have been specifically harmonized and coordinated with one another. Especially cost-effective operation is facilitated as a result of the seamless integration in the automation environment, complemented by efficient engineering and service concepts. The system efficiency of this combined drive system lies significantly above the minimum requirements of the highest system efficiency class IES2 that is defined. Profit from a lower energy consumption and an investment with a fast payback time.
