The drive towards net-zero emissions and rising energy costs are accelerating innovations in pump technology. With the introduction of new legislation and the adoption of electric solutions, our industry is benefiting from reduced carbon footprints and improved operational costs.
At the same time, the industry is shifting away from single-point-of-failure systems to incorporating standby and backup pumps that ensure greater reliability. But, despite these advancements, many of us often face the challenge of budget constraints and limited system knowledge, which can prevent us from optimising the performance of new pump technology. Here, we uncover the most exciting innovations to look out for and how to unlock their full potential.
Emerging Innovation
Over the past decade advancements in pump technology have been largely driven by the global focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
We’ve seen as recently as last year, EU regulations come into effect that mandate the use of IE4-level motors running between 75kW and 200kW (these are classified as providing ‘super premium efficiency’, consuming less energy and delivering lower operational costs compared to IE3s). The IEC standards are improving all the time, and that means that we can save a lot of money whilst improving our carbon footprint.
In the coming decade, efficiency will increasingly influence budget decisions. As energy costs fluctuate, the benefits of investing in efficient technologies will become more impactful – payback periods will become shorter and the process of calculating ROI will become easier.
The pump specialists at deckpro pumps share their predictions, stating that smarter, more efficient pumps will continue to emerge as the adoption of electric solutions accelerates. The automotive industry has already been making waves in the shift towards electric and it’s anticipated the pump industry will not be far behind.
deckpro’s Operations Manager, Joe Smith says: “The pump industry and the electric motor industry are leading the way in their innovations. Depending on the targets set by the government, our country is aiming for net-zero emissions, and electric motors play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Having this mentality will only enhance innovation and accelerate the development of new pump products.”
Technology You Should Invest In
- Inverter Drives: Using inverter drives to control pump speed based on demand can significantly improve efficiency and reduce wear and tear, extending the pump’s lifespan.
- Use of Energy-Efficient Motors: Upgrading to high-efficiency motors (like IE4 or IE5) can reduce energy consumption and enhance the overall performance – you will save around 20% in energy costs straight off the bat.
- Upgrading to Intelligent Pumps: Using intelligent pumps that can optimise energy efficiency and perform self-cleaning cycles reduces the need for frequent maintenance and enhances longevity. Check out Xylem’s intelligent wastewater pumps here.
- Remote monitoring systems: Investing in smart controls and monitoring systems allows you to log onto booster sets and wastewater pump stations from your desk and see a real-time display of what’s going on in those systems. Issues can be flagged before the customer even knows about them.
Payback Periods and Budget Constraints
Companies such as deckpro pumps offer energy-saving calculations free of charge, which enables you to make informed decisions based on payback periods and present accurate insights to your investors. Calculating payback can be a fine art and there’s never guarantees, because there are so many moving parts to consider (such as your cost per kilowatt hour, your unit cost, and how often you run the pumps). But, with the use of smart calculators these estimates are becoming more accurate.
Even small changes – ones that won’t break the bank – can deliver incredible savings over time (e.g. retrofitting a new invertor drive to an old pump system).
But budget constraints are not the only challenge we face when adopting smart technologies. Some technology is difficult to implement. For example, variable speed drives have the potential to control temperature, flow and pressure, as well as adjusting speed according to demand. Yet, these features are regularly under-utilised, and the investment is partly wasted as a result.
Modern ABB inverters will usually include a built-in clock, calendar and timer, embedded communication protocols, pre-programmed macros and even a swinging choke. By fully leveraging these features, you will significantly enhance the performance of pump systems – improving the efficiency of your whole building.
Future Trends
There are so many opportunities to invest in smarter solutions. And with a little more upfront investment, you’ll make substantial long-term savings. Calculating ROI and ensuring these investments are used to their potential is a challenge, though, and that’s where specialists like deckpro pumps can help.
Free of charge, you can request for a member of their team visits site and carries out a full survey, indicating everywhere you could be making savings or system improvements.
You will be provided with an efficiency assessment and service plan that includes recommendations on how to enhance durability and performance of your pumps.
For further information or guidance, get in touch with deckpro at: info@deckpro.uk.com or visit their website at: www.deckpro.uk.com.
