Feature

Ecodesign regulations for motors and drives

Electric motors are the biggest consumer of energy worldwide, accounting for around 45 percent of global energy consumption.

01/06/2022 11:04:43

Regulations on energy efficiency have changed to reflect the EU’s goals for sustainability and reduced emissions. This now extends to cover ecodesign requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives (VSDs).

Here, Marek Lukaszczyk, European and Middle East Marketing Manager at WEG, discusses the impact of these requirements and the potential long-term benefits in efficiency and cost.

Electric motors consume almost half of the energy produced in the EU, and there are around eight billion of them in use. Mandatory ecodesign regulations established by the European Commission aim to improve motor efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.

Variable speed drives (VSDs) offer an alternative means of improving efficiency and reducing emissions. They intuitively vary voltage and input frequency to control speed and torque in electric motors, dependent on the application. This reduces energy costs and makes processes more environmentally friendly.

Without a VSD, when less force is necessary, the system breaks and wasted energy is released as heat.

Read the full article in DPA's June issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.