Call for adoption of efficient green motors

In its whitepaper, ‘Achieving the Paris Agreement: The Vital Role of High-Efficiency Motors and Drives in Reducing Energy Consumption’, ABB said independent research estimates that if inefficient industrial electric motor-driven systems were replaced with optimised, high-efficiency equipment, global electricity consumption could be reduced by up to 10%. In turn, this would account for more than 40% of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions needed to meet the 2040 climate goals established by the Paris Agreement.

“The importance of transitioning industries and infrastructure to these highly energy efficient drives and motors to play their part in a more sustainable society cannot be overstated,” continued Morten Wierod. “With 45% of the world’s electricity used to power electric motors in buildings and industrial applications, investment in upgrading them will yield outsized rewards in terms of efficiency.”

ABB says all stakeholders have a part to play. Public decision makers and government regulators need to incentivise their rapid adoption; businesses, cities, and countries need to be aware of both the cost savings and environmental advantages and be willing to make the investment; and investors need to reallocate capital towards companies better prepared to address the climate risk.

Regulatory policies are among the main drivers of industrial investment in energy efficiency globally. The EU’s Ecodesign Regulation sets out stringent new requirements for an expanding range of energy efficient motors and will be implemented this year, but many countries have yet to take action.