IEA 4E Annex: Electric Motor Systems Task 3: New Industrial Developments and Digitalisation (Working period 2021 - 2024)

Electric motor systems are responsible for 67% of electricity consumption in industry in Austria. They include pump, fan, refrigeration, and compressed air systems. At the same time, an average of 25% of electricity consumption can be saved through appropriate optimisation measures. Digitalisation can contribute to achieving these savings through intelligent motor control and by collecting and analysing important data within the motor system.

The Austrian Energy Agency has been leading the Task New Industrial Developments and Digitalisation in Motor Systems of the Electric Motor Systems Annex since 2017. Participating countries are the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. The long-term goal is to identify necessary political measures to stimulate the development and implementation of digital technologies towards more efficient motor systems.

In this project, it was shown how users can specifically apply digitalisation solutions to increase energy efficiency. Two use cases of Industry 4.0 technologies in the field of energy-efficient motor systems were identified and technical possibilities of digitalisation to increase energy efficiency in the areas of compressed air, pumps, and fan systems were described.

Furthermore, a detailed survey of goals and barriers to the use of digitalisation among users and providers was conducted through interviews.

National best practice programmes in the field of digitalisation and energy efficiency of electric motor systems were surveyed and discussed with stakeholders in order to generate policy recommendations. The most important international standardisation initiatives were also analysed.

Policy recommendations for promoting the energy efficiency of electric motor systems were identified: policymakers should define clear, long-term savings obligations for companies and prescribe mandatory monitoring systems for the largest energy consumers in companies, e.g. air compressors. Data from control systems should be exportable. In the field of research, a research project focusing on the digitalisation and optimisation of electric motor systems in drives could be useful. A website or institution should serve as a platform for the independent provision of information, promote the energy benefits of the digitalisation of systems, for example via case studies, and present the most important terms and standards. The establishment of a network for energy efficiency and digitalisation could also be very helpful. In general, training and education measures on existing initiatives in this area should be strengthened.

Australia, Austria, Denmark, Europen Commission, Netherlands (Operating Agent), New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, USA

Austrian Energy Agency
Mag. DI Konstantin Kulterer, Mag. Petra Lackner
Mariahilfer Straße 136
A-1150 Wien
E-Mail: konstantin.kulterer@energyagency.at; petra.lackner@energyagency.at