Increasing the energy efficiency of mechanical power transmission products is currently a significant focus in the mining industry, says electrical, automation and mechanical products and equipment supplier Elquip Solutions.

However, the company highlights that much is still to be done in terms of educating customers in attaining energy efficiency. “As the mining industry is one of the biggest markets for motors and drives, there is a need to introduce energy efficient motors and drives in a way that sees the growing global carbon footprint awareness being complemented by mechanical power transmission products that have been manufactured with that aim in mind,” says Elquip Solutions MD Mike Cronin.

He adds that customers have to be aware that one simply cannot buy a high-effici- ency motor, plug it into an otherwise old-fashioned and energy inefficient operational setup and expect this to solve all energy- saving problems.

Elquip Solutions technical manager Gustav Verster highlights that to truly optimise the installation of motors and drives in mining operations, a company needs to buy updated cabling and variable-speed drives (VSDs) and understand that the real return on investment will happen only 12 to 18 months from the purchase date.

“At that point, energy efficiency will be realised; also, attendant operational and cost savings – which include lower utility bills, manufacturing costs and overheads, as well as higher profit margins – will be realised,” he notes.

Elquip Solutions notes that more mechanical power transmission manufacturers are offering purpose-built motors and drives, where customers are encouraged to purchase motors and drives from the same manufacturer. This package-deal approach is reg-arded as being more efficient and effective than buying motors from one manufacturer while buying drives from another.

“We are considering supplying various energy efficient and relevant products, which we will introduce to the local market when the timing is appropriate; however, cur- rently, many sectors within the greater mining industry are hesitant to proactively pursue new projects and investments,” Cronin points out.

Verster further highlights that, in Europe, energy efficiency legislation is stricter; for example, the use of VSDs with motors is compulsory, whereas in South Africa, this is not the case, which means that, from an energy efficiency perspective, many bus- inesses are less compliant.

“Another major challenge in the industry is that companies are price conscious and price driven, which is often to the detriment of quality. Certain products may be prespecified and customers will, at times, not select a product which is superior from an energy efficiency and quality perspective, owing to a small price difference or because the other (less superior) product is prespecified,” he adds.

Verster stresses that it is, therefore, imperative for Elquip Solutions to constantly find new ways of being innovative and presenting customers with the best possible choice in terms of quality, energy efficiency and affordability; it is also vital that the com- pany has a substantial stockholding, quick delivery and service turnaround times.

Elquip Solutions is the largest third-party channel and distributor of power and automation technology company ABB Motors’ high-efficiency, low-voltage motors in South Africa, as well as other ranges of quality global electrical, automation, mechanical and consumable products.

The mining industry is one of the most substantial markets in South Africa and is estimated to be worth about R2-billion a year, with many planned and several ongoing projects.

Elquip Solutions, therefore, liaises regularly with customers in the original-equipment manufacturer, system integration and distributor markets. “This enables the company to have access to key capital investment and infrastructure projects that are either in the planning phase or are currently pending, which yields much potential for energy efficient mechanical power transmission products to be realised in this sizeable market,” notes Cronin.

Motors and drives power every aspect of the industry, which range from power generation and mining to construction, manufacturing and agriculture. All these industries use pumps, conveyors, cranes and other equipment where motors and drives are essential, says the company.

Cronin points out that Elquip Solutions prides itself on putting the customer first and exploring new and creative ways of offering its current and prospective customers better, technologically more advanced equipment, at better prices. As such, the company invests substantially in researching the international markets to find the best quality suppliers, which will, in turn, provide the best products and solutions for its customers in South Africa.

Further, the company invests in training and developing its personnel to be far more than merely delivery personnel and order takers. Its staff focuses on sharpening their product knowledge locally – with training from international suppliers – and then proact- ively pursuing a dynamic and interactive partnership with the company’s customer base. This enables the staff to know and understand customers’ specific requirements so that the company can provide them with the best tailor-made solutions for their industry, situation and application.