ZURICH, Switzerland — A new digital service from ABB is enabling industrial operators to maximize energy efficiency and boost sustainability by identifying motor-driven equipment in their facilities with the best energy-saving potential. The ABB Ability^TM Digital Powertrain Energy Appraisal service draws on data measured from fleets of digitally connected electric motors and variable frequency drives (VFDs) to show where and how much energy can be saved by upgrading to the latest high-efficiency technologies. Industrial operators can then make data-driven decisions when prioritizing investments.

Upgrading to energy-efficient technology is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to lower energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Across the world’s 300 million industrial, motor-driven systems, there is potential to reduce global electricity demand by switching to high-efficiency systems.  

“The challenge for an industrial operator is knowing where to start in a fleet of hundreds of electrical motors,” said Adrian Guggisberg, division president of ABB Motion Services. “ABB developed the new Digital Powertrain Energy Appraisal service to provide clarity by analyzing motor data and identifying where businesses should focus investment to maximize energy efficiency gains that reduce operating costs and CO2 emissions.”

One operator reaping the benefits is Waggeryd Cell, a pulp mill in southern Sweden with industry-leading energy efficiency. In an effort to further improve the efficiency of its energy-intensive process, Waggeryd is building its ABB Ability^TM Condition Monitoring system. This draws data from digitally connected motors in refiners, process pumps, fans, and conveyor belts. Under the new Digital Powertrain Energy Appraisal service, ABB’s experts used data from the same sources to identify the 10 motors with the most potential for improving energy efficiency. Waggeryd has now prioritized replacement of six of these motors to reduce energy consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

Traditionally, an energy efficiency appraisal requires time-consuming manual collection and evaluation of data and covers only the largest motor-driven systems on a site as these are typically seen as having the most potential for saving energy. However, this could overlook significant energy-saving opportunities for electric powertrains that are smaller, less accessible, or where energy-saving potential is not obvious.