Cement and Energy

. j C<>ST-EFFICIEl\T AND ENERGY SAVING l\IOTORS ' M ines and quarries could save thousands of pounds in electricity costs by consistently selecting high efficiency motors, according to a recent study executed by Swedish mining giant LKAB and leading motor manufacturer ABB. Given the choice between two 90kW motors, one with 92.7 per cent efficiency and another with 94.7 per cent , the higher efficiency motor will save nearly UK£ 400 (US$640) annually through lower energy costs, assuming operation of 8000 hours per year with the motors at full load. If, under the same conditions, the choice is between two 400kW motors, the two-per-cent efficiency difference represents a potential annual saving of more than UK £ 1500 (US$2400). According to the Purchasing Manager of LKAB, ''The purchase price only represents five per cent of the cost of having the motor. If one per cent can be shaved off the Courtesy: International Cement Review, July 1999 energy consumption, it does make a big difference. And if the energy consumption goes down, we make savings on cabling, transformers and substations as well". The study showed that in a project with 120 electric motors, improved motor selection cut capital costs by as much as 20 per cent through a reduction in the cost of cabling and associated equipment LKAB now uses a database to ensure that failed motors are replaced with new ones that bring energy savings. The company is a heavy user of electricity, consuming some 750GWh, and 90 per cent of this is used for motor drives. Its annual running cost for motor is about UK£ 1Om (US $16m). This means that each percentage point efficiency improvement reduces costs by UK£ 100,000 (US $160,000). Now, the company policy is that motors should be cost efficient and energy saving over their entire service life, which in many cases extends well over a decade. CENTRE FOR WIND ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (C-WET) SET UP IN TAMIL NADU The Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) has been set up by the Government of Tamil Nadu to undertake R&D, technology upgradation, testing, certification, standardization and training for the wind power industry. The Centre is expected to 'improve further the price-performance ratio through technology development in association with industry to increase the Courtesy : The Observer ofBusiness and Politics, 24 June 1999 competitiveness of wind turbine equipment, which will result il'lJ diminishing the need for fiscal incentives, the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES) said. A wind turbine test station is also planned to be set up at C-WET with the assistance of DANIDA for testing, certification and standardization of wind power equipment produced by Indian manufacturers. 11