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Energy Waste Exposed: Motors Cost Billions Annually
29 May
Summary
- Industrial motors cost billions in wasted electricity annually.
- A 0.2% efficiency gap in motors leads to significant cost and emissions.
- High-efficiency motors offer a quick payback period of months to three years.
A new report by ABB reveals a significant 'Industrial Efficiency Gap,' highlighting how inefficient large motors and generators are costing global industry billions annually. Motors over 375 kW, projected to double their electricity demand by 2040, exhibit an average efficiency gap of 0.2%. This gap translates to an estimated $9.5 to $12 billion in unnecessary electricity costs and generates 60 to 75 million tons of avoidable CO₂ emissions over a 25-year asset life.
The 'Top Industrial Efficiency' (TIE) approach focuses on specifying the highest efficiency commercially available technology. This method, which ABB offers as a contractual commitment, optimizes solutions for lifecycle performance rather than upfront cost. Despite the savings potential, the gap often persists due to specification choices rather than technological limitations.
Adopting TIE options delivers efficiency gains of 98.7% to 98.8%, with potential for higher improvements. Across the global installed base, this could save 100 to 150 TWh of electricity over 25 years, enough to power the United Kingdom for five months. The report urges industry to embed energy efficiency into procurement, prioritizing total cost of ownership to accelerate adoption and reduce emissions.
