New frequency inverters dramatically reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions at VW plant
The VW Autoeuropa plant manufactures 100 000 vehicles each year. As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, VW commissioned SEW-EURODRIVE to install MOVITRAC LTP-B frequency inverters at the plant. The plant has 17 fans that dry the painted vehicle surfaces. Although they perform this task reliably, they consume critically-high levels of electricity.
The operational speed of the fans was the main focal point. “We first had to establish how far the speed can be reduced without having a negative impact on the drying process. As a result, we were looking to maximise the energy savings without making any compromises regarding the quality of the painting process,” says Reis Neves, SEW-EURODRIVE Portugal Technical Manager.
The first step was to install new air filters. Neves explains that this enabled the speed to be reduced further, without negatively affecting the fans’ thermal capacity. A total of 17 MOVITRAC LTP-B frequency inverters were installed in the fans. “This was done during the summer shutdown in order to minimise the impact on production,” adds Neves.
The planning and installation process barely affected day-to-day operations and the co-operation with VW went smoothly. SEW-EURODRIVE prepared two energy audits – one before and one after the new frequency inverters were installed – and presented the report and the predicted energy savings to VW and the Portuguese government, which subsidised the new installation.
As part of its ‘Think Blue. Factory.’ Strategy – VW has set a target of achieving a 25 percent reduction in the costs associated with key environmental performance indicators, including; energy, water, CO2, waste and solvent emissions – between 2010 and 2018. SEW-EURODRIVE is successfully assisting VW in achieving these objectives.
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