Motion Control & Drives


Energy savings

December 2009 Motion Control & Drives

Managing energy more efficiently with variable speed drives.

It is estimated that in industry 60% of consumed electricity is used to turn motors and, of this, 63% is used for applications such as pumps and fans. Many are driven by simple motor starter solutions, meaning that the motor runs at full speed even when lower levels of flow are required. Often inefficient throttling or control methods are used and energy consumption remains high.

“Schneider Electric South Africa can help provide significant energy savings compared to conventional solutions: up to 50% for fans with full payback within one year and up to 30% for pumps with payback within two years,” says Rynhard Davids, the company’s product manager for drives. “We recommend a range of pump and fan control solutions, which include a modular solution for booster or complex pumping stations that can manage multiple pumps and provide additional functions such as chlorination or tank management. It enables a reduction in energy consumption of up to 30% depending on pump characteristics. This flexible solution provides strong diagnostic capabilities via Transparent Ready functionality and Ethernet connectivity.”

The company can also assist businesses looking for a smart, cost saving alternative for drinking water stations, with an offering that can update an electrical installation and provide new analysis services to reduce consumption and lower the electricity bill. Based on electro-technical competencies and a web-enabled measurement system, this solution allows high-level recommendations to optimise the pumping process and reduce electricity usage.

Finally, Schneider also provides a high performance integrated solution for wastewater plants. Based on electrical distribution equipment, power monitoring, motor control, automation and services, this integrated solution is ideal for high tech plants requiring adherence to stringent specifications and the flexibility to adapt to future requirements.

For more information contact Rynhard Davids, Schneider Electric South Africa, +27 (0)11 254 6400, [email protected], www.schneider-electric.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Mammoet completes major bridge replacement at Amsterdam Centraal Station
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet completes the second of five major bridge replacements at Amsterdam Centraal Station, transporting steel deck sections by water to keep the station open throughout the works.

Read more...
Schneider Electric’s Alliance Programme turns system integrators into trusted technology partners
Schneider Electric South Africa System Integration & Control Systems Design
: Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partner Programme is helping system integrators across Africa move beyond one-off projects and build the skills and service models needed to become long-term industrial technology partners.

Read more...
Retrofitting for sustainability
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
As budgets tighten and sustainability targets increase, retrofit and modernisation strategies are gaining traction across Africa, allowing organisations to upgrade only what limits performance while preserving existing infrastructure and extending asset life.

Read more...
Preparing Africa’s data centres for the demands of autonomous AI
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Africa’s data centre infrastructure must evolve significantly to support agentic AI workloads, with GPU-intensive computing, advanced cooling and reliable power demanding a fundamentally different approach to facility design and investment.

Read more...
ndustry expertise drives SEW-EURODRIVE’s Electra Mining Africa presence
Motion Control & Drives
SEW-EURODRIVE will showcase industry-specific drive technology, modernisation services and expanded aftermarket support at Electra Mining Africa 2026, with a focus on lifecycle support and operational optimisation.

Read more...
Next-generation motor management solution
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric has launched its TeSys Tera motor management solution in the West African market, combining advanced motor protection, digital connectivity and real-time diagnostics for manufacturing, mining and water applications.

Read more...
Virtualising the control room to reshape building management systems
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric explains how virtualising building management systems frees facilities teams from ageing hardware, delivers stronger cybersecurity and enables portfolio-wide control from a single interface.

Read more...
How DCS can step off the hardware obsolescence treadmill
Schneider Electric South Africa PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Schneider Electric argues that virtualising DCS environments breaks the cycle of hardware obsolescence, giving plant operators a smarter path to lifecycle modernisation without production disruption.

Read more...
New SI programme strengthens Schneider Electric’s partner ecosystem
Schneider Electric South Africa System Integration & Control Systems Design
Schneider Electric’s SI Energise 2.0 programme offers system integrators a competency-based framework to develop deeper expertise in EcoStruxure and AVEVA software, enabling them to deliver full-lifecycle industrial automation solutions.

Read more...
AI infrastructure solutions for data campus
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric and Motivair deliver more than $290 million in power and cooling infrastructure for TeraWulf’s AI-ready Lake Mariner data campus.

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