Energy efficiency and electrification are in focus at Danfoss
AT ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY group Danfoss, the climate change is fought on two fronts: through solutions for energy efficiency and through electrification. While the latter is a necessity in reaching zero-emission levels, the former is key in the growing global urbanisation. Solutions for both megatrends can be found at Danfoss’ site in Vaasa.
“It’s estimated that 70% of the global population will live in cities by 2050. As cities already consume a lion’s share of all energy produced – 70% – and generate considerable amounts of CO2 emissions, we must do our best to improve the energy efficiency in them”, says Tuula Hautamäki, Head of Danfoss Vaasa.
IN CITIES, buildings, with their heating, cooling and other electrical appliances, guzzle enormous amounts of electricity. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of buildings can have a considerable impact on sustainability. At Danfoss’ factory in Vaasa, AC drives are designed and manufactured to control electrical motors, which can be foundin elevators, escalators, water pumps and airconditioning systems. By intelligently controlling the motors, these machines can be optimally used, and less energy is wasted.
“At Danfoss, we have calculated that, by 2040, a comprehensive use of AC drives with electric motors can bring a potential saving of 8% inthe world’s energy need. This is a huge saving”, remarks Hautamäki.
LINKED TO urbanisation is also the ongoing electrification, which in city traffic can provide sizeable cuts in emissions, but also reductions in noise levels. Electrification of traffic is expected to exponentially skyrocket already in 2022. With its unique know-how in power electronics, Danfoss has provided electrification for more than 30 million cars, dozens of vessels and hundreds of busses and off-road vehicles.
“In Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, Danfoss has provided the city with its first all-electrical buses, and in Helsinki, Danfoss cooperates with HSY, Helsinki Regional Environmental Services Authority, on its electrical buses”, says Hautamäki.
