How can you evaluate the economic benefits of energy-efficient rotating equipment?

1 What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is the ratio of useful output to energy input of a system or process. It can be expressed as a percentage or a dimensionless number. For example, if a pump delivers 80 liters of water per minute using 1 kilowatt of electricity, its energy efficiency is 80 liters per minute per kilowatt, or 0.08. The higher the energy efficiency, the lower the energy consumption and the operating costs.

2 Why is energy efficiency important for rotating equipment?

Rotating equipment is widely used in industrial processes and applications, such as fluid transportation, air conditioning, refrigeration, power generation, and mechanical drive. According to some estimates, rotating equipment accounts for about 40% of the total electricity consumption in the industrial sector. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of rotating equipment can have a significant impact on the energy performance and competitiveness of industrial facilities.

3 How to assess the current energy efficiency of rotating equipment?

To assess the current energy efficiency of rotating equipment, you need to collect and analyze some data, such as the power consumption, flow rate, pressure, temperature, and speed of the equipment. You can use meters, sensors, gauges, and other instruments to measure these parameters. You also need to compare the actual performance of the equipment with its design specifications or industry standards. You can use formulas, charts, or software tools to calculate the energy efficiency and identify the potential for improvement.

4 How to select energy-efficient rotating equipment?

To select energy-efficient rotating equipment, you need to consider several factors, such as the size, type, design, configuration, and control of the equipment. You should choose the equipment that matches the requirements and conditions of your process or application. You should also look for the equipment that has the highest energy efficiency rating or certification. You can use online databases, catalogs, or guides to find and compare the energy efficiency of different models and brands of rotating equipment.

5 How to estimate the energy savings of energy-efficient rotating equipment?

To estimate the energy savings of energy-efficient rotating equipment, you need to compare the energy consumption of the existing equipment with the energy consumption of the new or upgraded equipment. You can use the following formula to calculate the annual energy savings:

Annual energy savings (kWh) = (Power consumption of existing equipment (kW) - Power consumption of new or upgraded equipment (kW)) x Operating hours per year

You can also use online calculators, spreadsheets, or software tools to estimate the energy savings of energy-efficient rotating equipment.

6 How to evaluate the economic benefits of energy-efficient rotating equipment?

To evaluate the economic benefits of energy-efficient rotating equipment, you need to calculate the payback period and the return on investment of the project. The payback period is the time it takes for the energy savings to equal the initial investment cost. The return on investment is the ratio of the net profit to the initial investment cost. You can use the following formulas to calculate the payback period and the return on investment:

Payback period (years) = Initial investment cost ($) / Annual energy savings ($)

Return on investment (%) = (Annual energy savings ($) - Annual operating and maintenance costs ($)) x 100 / Initial investment cost ($)

You can also use online calculators, spreadsheets, or software tools to evaluate the economic benefits of energy-efficient rotating equipment.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?