• Customer:  Sheet metal cutting and fabrication
•  Reason for audit: Fixed speed compressor, exploring savings
•  Current compressor: Atlas Copco GA18+ (18.5kw)
•  Cost of electricity: £0.34 /kWh (average cost)
•  Results of Audit:  Measured potential savings 49% = £9,050/year
•  Simulated compressor: Atlas Copco GA11VSDs (11kW) IE5
•  ROI on equipment: 13 Months

How did this GA11VSDs compressor save so much energy and money?

Atlas Copcos state-of-the-art element in a unique vertical configuration with an ultra-premium efficiency (IE5) ferrite assisted synchronous reluctance motor. This new motor technology equals IE5 efficiency without the need of rare earth materials, making it a completely sustainable solution.

Above is an energy chart (Amps) showing the compressor running condition, running on load, running unloaded (not pumping air), and stopped.

Green is loaded running efficient use of power.

Orange is unloaded running, not producing air wasted electricity.

The compressor is a typical fixed speed unit, correctly sized for the air demand and running normally, but we can see from the volume of off-load running, that there is great potential to save with a variable speed drive replacement.

Weekly Flow chart (l/s)

Survey results