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Variable speed drives: Revolutionising the industrial scene
Author : Mark Yeeles, Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric
08 April 2021
Over the years, the variable speed drive has been lorded for its ability to drive energy efficiency. However, it’s become clear that these drives are yet to fulfil their potential. While they are generally seen as just motor controllers, they can serve as a critical industrial component, that can deliver improved energy and asset management, as well as process optimisation, if implemented as part of a connected infrastructure.
The advancement of cost-effective technology has opened up new possibilities in the manufacturing world. When low-costing sensing and analytics are combined with variable speed drives, the optimisation of the process, the motor, energy consumption and equipment uptime can all be optimised.
Growth, profitability and savings
It is evident when looking at the overall impact that VSD technology has on an organisation, that it is incredibly beneficial for business growth, profitability and savings.
VSD technology can offer cost savings of more than 40 percent, with payback periods that are usually less than two years. What’s more, these devices have the potential to make energy savings and increase profitability in almost every sector of UK business, by simply offering:
• Tighter, more accurate control of the process driven from the motor
• Increased lifespan of plant and equipment through soft starting and reduced speed
• Improved Power Factor (as increased efficiency means more of the electrical current drawn is used to drive the motor's processes)
• Displacing fixed speed (DOL) motors & dampers with VSDs on HVAC systems in buildings.
Be mindful of the risks
Despite the major benefits minimal changes such as implementing VSD technology can make in an attempt to improve efficiency, being mindful of the risks of new and evolving technology – particularly with regard to cyber security is imperative. Industry-wide digitisation is an evolution of a few distinct market and technology changes – mobility, cloud and analytics. Yet, just because its grounding is deep-routed, does not mean it comes without vulnerabilities.
The IIoT is accelerating the need for cybersecurity in industrial control systems and industry stakeholders across all markets have their concerns. From fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2014, the number of cyber incidents involving industrial control systems rose from 140 incidents to 243 incidents, with an estimated £240-£320 billion cost attached each year.
Many existing OT networks in the industry have been created with a piecemeal approach that has evolved over time organically. Consequently, existing systems are not performing to an optimised scale and remain insecure when it comes to cyber threats. To mitigate this, networks must be assessed on a regular basis so that resolutions can be achieved with immediate effect.
When organisations are looking to expand, and add devices to their networks, under the IIoT framework, they will identify IoT ready devices with open connectivity and security built-in as standard such as the new Altivar Process drives with Achilles 2.0 certification. Only those organisations that ensure products optimise environments and remain secure, will get one step ahead of the competition. Failure to do this, will leave an organisation behind in a highly competitive market.
Delivering the best outcomes
It’s critical we embrace Industry 4.0 to succeed in today’s current climate. Recognising and implementing new technologies, especially smart connected products and systems, enables infrastructure to become more agile and resilient. The best results will come from investing in digital development within your business. Slowly incorporating connected technical advancements for your business helps you to evolve and adapt to this new age of industry, which improves competitiveness and provides more opportunities for businesses to succeed.
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