ABB has formed a 50-strong team to analyse the energy-saving potential of motor-driven applications for UK companies. The Energy Appraisal Team consists of engineers from ABB and its technical partners who have up to 20 years of experience.

The service will provide free, no-obligation, half-day site appraisals, examining an organisation’s installed motor base and identifying applications that could benefit from variable speed drives. The appraisals will also provide estimated payback times and will review an organisation’s maintenance schemes and spares-holdings.

“This is by far the largest and most professional energy appraisal team for motor-driven applications in the UK,” claims Steve Ruddell, who manages ABB’s discrete automation and motion business. He reports that ABB engineers have conducted more than 3,000 similar appraisals over the past five years and that about half of these have resulted in new business for the company.

“Over the past decade we have evolved and refined an energy-appraisal technique,” Rudell adds. “This approach has been designed into a process in which each engineer is now trained. It includes knowing precisely where to look, and what to look for, in a motor-driven application so as to find its optimum energy usage.”

During an appraisal, the engineers may also review other business operations and technologies to identify the scope for improvements in energy efficiency and reduced CO₂ emissions.

ABB is also offering to help organisations apply for interest-free loans for energy-saving equipment from the Carbon Trust. The loans are paid back through the savings made.

To find out more about the scheme, contact ABB on 07000 374837 or via energy@gb.abb.com.