Efficiency Optimization in Variable Frequency Induction Motor Drive

Abstract

Energy is most necessary for the existence and mainstay of modern industrial society and newlineday by day its demand is increasing. Presently, the energy needs of the world are mainly newlinefulfilled by burning fossil fuels, i.e. oil, gas, coal, etc. Consumption of them causes many newlinebad impacts over the environment and human health. Renewable energy resources are newlineabundant, inexhaustible and environment friendly, but are still underutilized and hence newlinefossil fuels are still going to fulfil present and near future energy demands. The growing newlineconsumption of fossil fuels, increasing prices and their sinking reserves enforce the newlinescientists, researchers, academicians and the government authorities to think about energy newlineconservation and sustainability to cater present and future energy requirements. newlineImplementation of energy efficient policies and practices everywhere will be an effective newlinestrategy towards the so-called triple bottom line that focuses on the social, economic, newlineand environmental aspects of a business. Heavy industries account for almost 50% of the newlinetotal industrial energy consumption and around three-quarters of industrial green house newlinegases (GHG) emissions. These industries, especially cement, steel, pulp and paper, etc. newlineare good candidates for implementation of energy-efficient policies and practices. newlineInduction motors are practically used in every stage of industrial work-flow, in household newlinemachineries and office equipments. The influence of these motors (in terms of energy newlineconsumption) in energy intensive industries is significant in total input cost. Due to the newlinehuge number of operating units, even a small increase in induction motor efficiency has a newlinesignificant effect on the entire system. Traditionally, most of the major motor applications newlineuse a variable frequency drive (VFD) to save electrical energy. The conventional VFDs newlinebetter match speed to load but do not optimally minimizes motor input power. Pumping, newlinecompressed air and fan systems, heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) are some of the newlinemost electric-consumi