Intelligent drive concepts protect the environment and cut costs. The basis for a consistently efficient drive system is precise dimensioning, which allows significant potential savings to be identified and utilised. That is where Lenze's dimensioning software Drive Solution Designer (DSD) comes into its own: it guides the user to the appropriate drive solution for his task in a few easy steps – taking energy efficiency into account as well. To implement the chosen solution, the Hamelin-based drives and automation specialist offers scalable products optimised for maximum efficiency. Taking a holistic view of the system is critical in this regard, as possible benefits can often only be realised systematically by adapting products and services to the specific requirements of a particular application.

Up to 75 percent of the possible savings in energy usage are achieved by dimensioning the drive to suit the needs of the application and by using inverters. DSD draws on individual process data and specific speed curves for the application, making drive dimensioning quick and easy. One element of DSD is the Energy Performance Certificate, which makes it much easier to optimise a drive solution in terms of energy efficiency. For example, it presents energy costs clearly and transparently, and calculates the amount of energy that can be exchanged via the DC bus or fed back into the supply system via an energy-recovery module. In addition, a project comparison feature allows multiple drive solutions to be compared in terms of their energy requirement.

The efficiency of the overall system can be further increased if, in addition to dimensioning the drive to suit the needs of the application and controlling operation with frequency inverters, efficient IE2 motors and gearboxes are used and attention is paid to an energy-efficient motion control. By this means, an energy savings potential of up to 90 % can be utilised.