Motion Control & Drives


Variable speed drive for water challenges and green agriculture

November 2024 Motion Control & Drives

Schneider Electric South Africa has launched its Altivar Solar ATV320 variable speed drive (VSD), a solar-powered drive solution that is compatible with a wide range of water pumps, catering for water challenges and decarbonisation of irrigation pumping and agriprocessing machinery.

The Altivar Solar ATV320 is Schneider Electric’s replacement offer for the Altivar Solar 312 model, which has reached the end of commercialisation. The Altivar Solar ATV320 drive is robust, simple to commission and easy to integrate for pumping applications.

“This product is part of our Access to Energy portfolio, so it is designed for use in remote areas, or areas with no access to energy. However, it can also reduce energy costs if used in applications where there is electricity, because it is solar-powered. When not connected to solar panels, the drive can be connected to the grid,” says Luthando Makiwane, industry automation marketing manager at Schneider Electric South Africa. Altivar Solar ATV320 VSD is suited to a range of different types of pumps, including submersible, surface-mounted, and water storage tank pumps.

Agricultural applications

“The Altivar Solar variable speed drive has seen significant uptake in the agricultural sector, where farmers are looking to reduce energy costs and also to adopt green technology in their operations,” says Makiwane. He notes that Schneider Electric’s Access to Energy portfolio is committed to connecting 100 million people by 2030 with green electricity. This will be through dedicated product offers and solutions aligned with the company’s purpose and mission as an impact company that builds to deliver a positive effect in the long run.

The Altivar Solar ATV320 features various advanced features compared to the previous ATV312 range, including:

• Dual power supply mode (solar and grid): A wide DC voltage range enables users to connect high-wattage panels to the ATV320 solar drive.

• Remote On/Off of the pump through SMS or EcoStruxure Energy Access on the Livelihood platform.

• Dedicated solar drive with built-in maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and solar-specific functions for multiple solar applications.

“This variable drive harvests the maximum solar energy to run the pump for the maximum duration in a day by controlling the speed of the motor based on the power available from solar panels,” says Makiwane. “The built-in MPPT function helps to ensure that you get the most power out of the solar panels and that the pump operates optimally throughout the day.”

Energy savings

Because the Altivar Solar drive can connect to the grid and solar PV source, it helps to ensure water pumping can be done at night, and even on cloudy days. The drive is optimised for pumping applications and can achieve up to 30% energy savings. Additionally, the Altivar Solar drives have a built-in monitoring function to help prevent the pump from running dry. If there is no water in the pump, the released heat could damage it over time, potentially shortening its service life.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Prefabricated data centres for an AI-focused future at the edge
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
As AI technologies continue to advance, data centres are being pushed to the edge, reshaping their operations to meet daily demands. To meet the relentless demands of AI workloads at the edge, prefabricated data centre solutions offer a scalable, efficient and fast alternative to traditional builds.

Read more...
New generation soft starter ranges
Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric has launched its new generation Altivar ATS430 and ATS490 soft starter ranges in Anglophone Africa, the latest innovations in motor control technology.

Read more...
Machinery maintenance and the hidden cost of fuel adulteration
Motion Control & Drives
Fuel adulteration is one of the most insidious threats to industrial machinery, safety and environmental compliance. Craig FitzGerald, chief executive officer of ISO-Reliability Partners, discusses how this widespread issue undermines mechanical performance and operational safety, and also poses significant legal and financial risks.

Read more...
Sensorless control of brushless
Motion Control & Drives
Many applications would benefit from a brushless motor without a sensor. A method developed by maxon is now setting new standards for precision and reliability.

Read more...
Precise information in the cockpit with FAULHABER stepper motors
Motion Control & Drives
For the display of Bugatti’s upcoming luxury model, Tourbillon, something truly special will be presented. Instead of a digital version, the driver will see a genuine Swiss timepiece behind the steering wheel.

Read more...
TechAccess and Schneider Electric partnership goes from strength to strength
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric, together with its longstanding partner TechAccess, is poised to take the Southern African market by storm.

Read more...
Complete mine hoist systems
Motion Control & Drives
From friction to single and double drum hoists, ABB is a complete supplier of various types of mine hoist systems.

Read more...
Innovative braking technology for heavy-duty hoists
Motion Control & Drives
The electro-hydraulic disc brakes in the DX series from RINGSPANN have been re-engineered, and are proving to be a trendsetter in the holding and emergency stop systems in the hoists of heavy-duty and container cranes.

Read more...
Africa’s pragmatic approach to AI and how data centres are enabling it
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
In Africa, the current AI momentum is driven by a fundamental need, building a resilient digital infrastructure that addresses the real-world challenges of the continent’s communities.

Read more...
Platform to accelerate supply chain decarbonisation
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric has launched Zeigo Hub by Schneider Electric, a powerful new digital platform designed to help organisations decarbonise their supply chains at scale.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved