What is energy optimisation and why should we do it?

Learn about the many benefits of energy optimisation and how it can reduce not only costs but also the strain on the environment.

The importance of energy optimisation:

Pumps are responsible for 10 % of the worlds' electricity consumption.

This staggering number is mainly due to the many inefficient pumps that are either worn or wrongly sized, resulting in an excessive waste of energy.

In this short module, we’re going to introduce you to energy optimisation and its benefits. Simply put, the waste of energy from pumps is the most obvious sign that energy optimisation is essential to not only save energy but also reduce the global environmental footprint.

In fact, studies show that the average potential savings per pump amounts to 15,725 kWh. That is the equivalent of €1,570 per pump! To put it into greater perspective, this number equals the yearly CO2 emission of three cars.

Optimising your pumps can have a great effect on the environment. But it will also save you tonnes of money. Let's take a closer look.

As we mentioned at the start, wrongly sized pumps are one of the main sinners in terms of pump inefficiency. But why are they wrongly sized in the first place?

Some design engineers include a safety margin when designing pumps to compensate for uncertainties in the design process. However, if a pump is wrongly sized, it will add to system costs both in terms of energy and maintenance. Which brings us to the next point.

Over the course of your pump’s life, energy costs account for a massive 85 % of the total costs. And service and maintenance costs account for 10 %.

So, while a wrongly sized pump may provide a safety margin, it also means that the pump won’t perform optimally, and that will have a massive impact on your energy bills.

To sum up, there are two major takeaways when it comes to energy optimisation:

First of all, optimising your pumps slashes your energy bills, saving you tonnes of money.

And secondly, by energy-optimising your pumps, you reduce your environmental footprint, an important step in the fight against climate changes.

Course overview

Modules
Modules: 3
Completion time
Completion time: 12 minutes
Difficulty level
Difficulty level: Basic