Dutch consortium receives grant to confirm energy-saving research

Improving sustainability of AC motors without compromising output performance

A consortium of Dutch groups that includes Nouryon has received a grant to study ways to increase the efficiency of AC motors, which currently account for 40% of global electricity consumption. The consortium, which also includes ISPT, Vopak, Semiotic Labs, TPA Adviseurs and the Universiteit Utrecht's Copernicus Institute, will develop algorithms that analyse electrical waveforms with the goal of reducing energy consumption by 15% to 30% without compromising on output.

Frans van den Akker, Director Sustainability at ISPT: “The goal of ISPT is to promote sustainable practices in the process industry. To that end, we will work with asset owners and technology providers on developing both tools and practices that enable the reduction of energy waste. The reality of the global economy also mandates that these technologies improve sustainability without compromising output performance. We believe this project create such a tool.”

The research will use the SAM4 condition monitoring solution of Semiotic Labs, a 2018 winner of Nouryon’s Imagine Chemistry innovation challenge. SAM4 measures current and voltage signals to detect developing faults in AC motors and rotating equipment such as pumps, conveyors and compressors up to four months in advance of the fault causing a failure. The motor data has now been reapplied to detect inefficiencies in industrial processes, and can now offer the insights needed to increase electrical asset efficiency by 15-30%.

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