Cutting Coal Sustainability

Reducing demand from electric motors

The average fixed speed electric motor has two settings, on and off. This is because the motor is driven by electricity at

a set frequency, meaning the only way to adjust the speed is with a brake, be that mechanical or electrical. As a result,

motors waste a lot of energy. Considering that about a quarter of electricity produced worldwide is used to drive industrial

electric motors, even a small increase in efficiency promises tangible benefits. One option to change this is a variable speed

drive (VSD), which adjusts the speed of a motor by varying the power supplied dependent on the speed required.

Predictive maintenance

If maintenance is not done proactively, manufacturers may find their equipment running at low efficiency. In heat-sensitive

industries such as baking or metalworking, the oven or furnace would then take additional energy to heat, increasing energy

usage. By collecting and analysing data from sensors on equipment in a facility, manufacturers can predict when parts will

fail and plan maintenance to minimise disruption.

Consider refurbished

Recently there’s been quite an emphasis placed on single-use plastics, their effect on the oceans and what can be done to

combat the issue. Admittedly, an electric motor is unlikely to be discovered bobbing around the Pacific, but the concepts

of reuse, recycling and the circular economy can happily be applied to industrial settings. Just like the plastic bottle, if we

can reuse refurbished parts then all the energy and materials needed to manufacture of a new part can be saved.

Why splash out on purchasing the latest factory-fresh model if a previous configuration does the job just as well? It seems

like an obvious question to ask, but unless you’re organised it can be difficult to get hold of the right part. With a little bit

of groundwork and a relationship with a reliable automation equipment supplier, you can spot where using refurbished or

obsolete parts can benefit both you and the planet.

We still have a lot of PLC/DCS/ESD/TSI automation spare parts module in stock, contact us quickly for prices.