The Energy related Products (ErP) directive and what it means for your business
Developed as part of the EU’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions, the Energy related Products (ErP) directive will establish performance and efficiency standards for a range of electricity consuming devices.
One area that was identified by the EU as having strong efficiency-generating potential was in electronic control systems. This includes a range of units including motors and drives which are omnipresent in factories and workshops right across the country, particulalrly those operating conveyor belt manufacturing systems.
With the first part of the directive implemented, and the final directive coming into force from the 26 September 2015, it is important that suppliers and end-users familiarise themselves with the impending changes. The following information will help readers understand the implications of the directive, particularly as they relate to Danfoss motors, drives and other motion controls.
What is the ErP directive?
Fundamentally, the ErP directive is a set of requirements laid out for the environmentally friendly design of energy consuming products. The directive is targeted mainly at the energy-hungry industrial and commercial sectors. Around two thirds of the energy used in industrial processes is the result of machines driven by electric motors.
ErP will see older and more inefficient drives and motors replaced with more effective modern technologies, so as to reduce their environmental impact. It is thought, that over a long operating life, the energy savings to be made from installing efficient drive controls could be as much as 70 percent. Clearly then, the incentive for businesses to adopt these new technologies is not only bureaucratic, but there is also a large cost-saving incentive.
The EU regulations established a set of efficiency classes ranging from lowest (IE1) to highest efficiency (IE4). In order to meet these requirements a motor must meet a certain standard of efficiency. This can be achieved by using different materials, innovative technologies such as permanent magnets, or the use of a variable speed control.
These EU level changes have stimulated the motor market and many new ‘high-efficiency’ motors have just recently appeared. Each motor has a set of characteristics which make them suited to different industries or uses. It is worth getting an expert opinion on which drive is best suited to your business, or whether a particular motor is a worthwhile energy-saving investment.
At PnP we have decades of collective experience in identifying energy saving solutions for all sorts of businesses. We specialise in providing clients with variable speed drives and in some cases have managed to generate dramatic energy savings with a payback time of as little as six months.
To get advice on which motor system is right for your business, talk to one of our experts on: 01457 837 145