Considerations when Modernizing Drives for Buildings Based on an Energy Efficiency and Cost Perspective
Paper i proceeding, 2010

The efficiency consequence of keeping overdimensioned Induction Motors (IM) in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) applications, when modernizing such systems, using the potential that modern power electronic drives gives, is investigated in this paper. Five different Eff1 IM ratings in the range 1.1-4kW have been the target of the analysis. It is a common assumption that the motor efficiency drops rapidly as the load decreases below 75% its rated operation, which is the case for grid connected motors or motors operated with constant V/Hz ratio by an inverter. As a result, overdimensioning of the IM will result in increased energy cost compared to a smaller rating. However, by using a variable V/Hz ratio, it is shown here that the efficiency is in general highest for the largest IM regardless of the loading, despite the increase of the mechanical losses caused by increased cooling and friction. A conclusion found is that it is in principle always worth to keep an overdimensioned existing motor instead of replacing it with a smaller motor having a better efficiency class.

Building applications

Frequency converter

Energy savings

Induction motor

Författare

Johan Åström

Chalmers, Energi och miljö, Elkraftteknik

Torbjörn Thiringer

Chalmers, Energi och miljö, Elkraftteknik

The 9th International Power and Energy Conference IPEC 2010 Singapore

892-897
978-142447399-1 (ISBN)

Drivkrafter

Hållbar utveckling

Styrkeområden

Energi

Ämneskategorier

Annan elektroteknik och elektronik

DOI

10.1109/IPECON.2010.5697092

ISBN

978-142447399-1

Mer information

Skapat

2017-10-07