Costs remain the key concern
September 07th 2010

The investment cost and subsequent energy costs of running a compressed air system remain key concerns for compressed air users in 2010, as David Burton, general manager at Boge Compressors, explains.

The fact that cost remains a key concern for compressed air users is unsurprising in the current economic climate. Tight budgets, or lack thereof, means that every investment and every input cost must be scrutinised.

As a result end users are taking compressed air energy efficiency more seriously. It is not just about being environmentally friendly and reducing your carbon footprint. Creating energy efficiencies creates real financial benefits – something that no factory manager or financial controller can ignore – especially when energy is the most costly part of running a compressed air system, accounting for 75% of the lifecycle costs.

These concerns have led to audits becoming quite popular as part of an initial process to identify if and where savings are possible by investing in new equipment. The audit results can then clearly highlight what the estimated quantitative savings would be by optimising the compressed air system and importantly what the payback period would be on recommended new equipment. Estimated savings and payback periods provided from an audit therefore provide justification for financing any new equipment.

Control of the compressed air system has also grown in importance with compressed air users as a result of energy cost concerns. By being able to manage and predict weekly and monthly compressed air costs, the end users can more precisely calculate their energy budgets. This in turn allows them to more effectively cost their products.

The airtelligence PROVIS energy optimisation system is an example of a controller that supports a number of our customers in optimising operating costs, reducing maintenance costs and optimising energy efficiency. Available from Boge, the system is a consumption-based, multi-compressor energy management system able to control, manage and optimise up to 16 compressors of any make or model.

By monitoring all of the compressors within a compressed air system and continuously adapting to changes in compressed air demand, airtelligence PROVIS, systematically and predictively takes control of a system, minimising costly off load running whilst optimising pressure.

Due to the online visualisation programme users can also continually manage and monitor the compressed air system at any time and in any place. This tool provides reports on flow volume and operating status of all compressors in the system to maintenance intervals, error alerts and most importantly energy consumption and costs for the entire system as well as for each individual compressor.

While investment and energy costs remain key concerns for the compressed air user, help is at hand!

Using a sophisticated energy management controller will then allow them to keep their energy budget on track.

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