As you will have read in our recent post, more than 50% of global electricity is consumed by motor systems. And 30% of global electricity consumption is used in industrial electric motor systems. With the European Commission recently presenting its ‘winter package’ (which included a revision of the Electricity Market Design legislation and the Renewable Energy Directive), and the International Energy Agency publishing its ‘World Energy Outlook’ report, it’s clear that the importance of finding cost-effective solutions to meet global energy-efficiency targets has never been higher on the agenda.
To further raise the awareness of energy efficiency, and to discuss the next steps for the EU, Danfoss and the EurActiv Institute hosted a high-level forum on 9 December 2016 at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Danfoss and the EurActiv Institute lead the way in boosting energy efficiency in Europe
Using a holistic and system-oriented approach as the foundation for all discussions, the forum focused on the efficiency potential of electric motors, the capacity for energy neutrality in the water sector and identifying the regulatory framework that will realize the potential.
For decades, Danfoss Drives has been at the forefront of developing AC drives that optimize the energy efficiency of electric motor systems to reduce energy bills. Of the total energy reduction potential, 30% can be addressed by using AC drives to adapt the variable load. And, looking into an industry-specific example, providing proven technologies can create an energy-neutral water cycle, significantly reduce the electricity bill of municipalities, and help to establish smart energy systems. You can read more about how Danfoss is helping to alleviate some of the more critical water problems in another of our posts here.
Keynote speaker at the forum was Jyrki Katainen, European Commission Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness.
Other speakers included:
- Marie Donnelly, Director for Renewables, Research and Innovation, Energy Efficiency, DG ENER, European Commission
- Claus Petersen, Vice President, Danfoss Silicon Power
- Frank Ennenbach, Director of Product Safety and Regulations Water Business Unit, Chairman of Europump Standards Commission
- Pavel Misiga, Head of Unit of Clean Water, DG ENVI, European Commission
- Katrine Rafn, Director, Head of Division, Water Resources, Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark
- Mads Warming, Global Director, Water and Wastewater, Danfoss Drives
- Lars Schroder, CEO, Aarhus Vand A/S
- Kamel Bennaceur, Director, Sustainable Energy Policies and Technologies, IEA
- Vesa Laisi, Segment President, Danfoss Drives
Ambitious targets achievable with today’s technologies
In his presentation, Lars Schrøder pointed out that, just by treating household wastewater and without the need to use wind or solar power, it is possible to achieve total energy neutrality for the whole water cycle. And the return on investment in the water treatment technologies is less than five years. Following on from the success in the Aarhus municipality, Katrine Rafn made it clear that Denmark is now aiming for complete energy neutrality in the water cycle for the whole country.
The forum was extremely active, dynamic and lively, and featured many interesting and productive discussions. In his closing remarks, Vesa Laisi stated:
“The world is driven by interests – personal, business, national and political. We have learned today that those different interests need not be conflicting. Stopping climate change doesn’t mean giving up growth. Sustainable and smart cities and buildings of the future will emerge from a holistic approach to climate and energy solutions. Good solutions that will satisfy several interests.”
He reinforced that the forum provided the opportunity to discuss how we can take bigger and faster steps towards achieving energy and climate goals. This involves taking a holistic approach to motor systems, enforcing required regulations, such as the Ecodesign Directive, and creating a strong awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of a focus on energy efficiency. Mr Laisi also stressed how the ambitious targets we have set are possible now by using the technologies available today.
Keep following our blog and social media channels for all the latest news from the industry. And read more here about how we are turning energy efficiency into a world energy source by transforming the water industry and realizing the potential of electric motor systems.
Author: Aksel Jepsen, Head of Industry Affairs, Danfoss Drives
