When is an engine truly green? The importance of evaluating the entire life cycle
When evaluating the efficiency of an electric motor, it is incorrect to consider only the instantaneous energy output.
The real environmental impact must take into account the entire life cycle, from the materials used to construct it to the energy consumption during its years of operation.
The real environmental impact must take into account the entire life cycle, from the materials used to construct it to the energy consumption during its years of operation.
High-efficiency motors, typically IE3, offer better performance by reducing electrical losses, but they usually require greater quantities of copper and special steels. Higher efficiencies are also offered, achieved thanks to the inclusion of permanent magnets containing rare earths.
These materials, in addition to representing a major geopolitical unknown, improve performance but have a higher environmental footprint during the production phase.
To understand if the engine is truly "green", it is It is therefore necessary to evaluate the balance between the initial impact of production and the energy savings during use.
These materials, in addition to representing a major geopolitical unknown, improve performance but have a higher environmental footprint during the production phase.
To understand if the engine is truly "green", it is It is therefore necessary to evaluate the balance between the initial impact of production and the energy savings during use.
Two factors come into play here: the type of operating cycle (duty cycle) and the sizing of the motor.
A motor that operates for many hours per year (for example, more than 4,000–5,000 hours/year) amortizes the impact of production: the energy savings accumulated over time compensate for the additional materials required to achieve higher efficiency.
On the contrary, if the motor operates for - for example - only 2,000 hours per year, perhaps with variable loads and not always at full capacity, the energy saved may be too little to justify the greater amount of energy consumed. of raw materials used.
The environmental assessment of the electric motor must therefore integrate the concept of operating hours and average load within an environmental analysis such as LCA (Life Cycle Assessment). Specific academic studies have addressed these aspects*
A motor that operates for many hours per year (for example, more than 4,000–5,000 hours/year) amortizes the impact of production: the energy savings accumulated over time compensate for the additional materials required to achieve higher efficiency.
On the contrary, if the motor operates for - for example - only 2,000 hours per year, perhaps with variable loads and not always at full capacity, the energy saved may be too little to justify the greater amount of energy consumed. of raw materials used.
The environmental assessment of the electric motor must therefore integrate the concept of operating hours and average load within an environmental analysis such as LCA (Life Cycle Assessment). Specific academic studies have addressed these aspects*
Another critical aspect is oversizing. Often, out of prudence or fear of overheating, more powerful motors than necessary are chosen.
However, an oversized motor mostly works at partial load, where efficiency could be significantly lower, and therefore consumes more energy for the same amount of work performed. Furthermore, it weighs more, contains more copper and steel, and therefore generate a greater production impact without a real performance benefit.
However, an oversized motor mostly works at partial load, where efficiency could be significantly lower, and therefore consumes more energy for the same amount of work performed. Furthermore, it weighs more, contains more copper and steel, and therefore generate a greater production impact without a real performance benefit.
In short, the true environmental efficiency of a motor is not just the sum of its electrical performance, but the result of a balance between correct sizing, operating hours, average load, and durability. Only when these factors are consistent can a real environmental benefit be achieved.
At Nicolini & C, we are available to support customers in these evaluations and suggest the best choice of electric motor.