Adjustable-speed drives
Rebates are available
Induction motors are the workhorses of industry, used widely and often exclusively in virtually every manufacturing plant and office building. However, the single most potent source of energy savings in induction motor systems lies not in the motor, but rather in the controls that govern the motor’s operation. Adjustable speed drives (ASDs), also known as variable speed drives (VSDs), variable frequency drives (VFD’s), or variable frequency invertors (VFIs), are one method of modifying or controlling motor behavior that is a proven option for improving performance and efficiency in drive systems.
Adjustable speed drives can be used to match the speed of an AC motor to the requirements of a fluctuating load, such as a pump that must move volumes of fluid that change in the course of a production shift. When this happens, the control valves, dampers, or other throttling mechanisms can be removed (or locked in full open positions), thereby dramatically improving energy efficiency. E-Source reports that in cube-law applications, energy savings from speed drives can exceed 50%.
Rebates of $95 per horsepower for nonseasonal applications and $45 per horsepower for seasonal and HVAC applications
