The reduction of energy consumption through improvements in energy efficiency has become an important goal for all countries, in order to improve the efficiency of the economy, to increase energy supply security, and to reduce the emissions of CO and other pollutants caused by power· generation. 2 Electric motors use over half of all electricity consumed in developed countries. Typically 60-80% of the electricity which is used in the industrial sector and about 35% of the electricity used in the commercial sector in the European Union is consumed by motors. In industry, a motor consumes an annual quantity of electricity which corresponds to approximately 5 times its purchase price, throughout its whole life of aroun~ 12 to 20 years. Motors are by far the most important type of electric load. They are used in all sectors and in a wide range of applications, namely the following: fans, compressors, pumps, mills, winders, elevators, transports, home appliances, and office equipment, etc. It is their wide use that makes motor drive systems one of the main targets to achieve significant energy savings. As motors are the largest USers of electrical energy, even small efficiency improvements will produce very large energy savings.

Today, there is a great deal of attention focused on sustainable growth worldwide. The increase in efficiency in the use of energy may even, in this historical moment, bring greater benefit than the use of renewable energies. Electricity appears to be the most sustainable of energies and the most promising hope for a planet capable of growing without compromising its own health and that of its inhabitants. Power electronics and electrical drives are the key technologies that will allow energy savings through the reduction of energy losses in many applications. This Special Issue has collected several scientific contributions related to energy efficiency in electrical equipment. Some articles are dedicated to the use and optimization of permanent magnet motors, which allow obtaining the highest level of efficiency. Most of the contributions describe the energy improvements that can be achieved with power electronics and the use of suitable control techniques. Last but not least, some articles describe interesting solutions for hybrid vehicles, which were created mainly to save energy in the smartest way possible.

This book reports the state of the art of energy-efficient electrical motor driven system technologies, which can be used now and in the near future to achieve significant and cost-effective energy savings. It includes the recent developments in advanced electrical motor end-use devices (pumps, fans and compressors) by some of the largest manufacturers. Policies and programs to promote the large scale penetration of energy-efficient technologies and the market transformation are featured in the book, describing the experiences carried out in different parts of the world. This extensive coverage includes contributions from relevant institutions in the Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

"Electric Motors and Drives is intended for non-specialist users of electric motors and drives, filling the gap between maths- and theory-based academic textbooks and the more prosaic 'handbooks', which provide useful detail but little opportunity for the development of real insight and understanding. The book explores all of the widely-used modern types of motor and drive, including conventional and brushless D.C., induction motors and servo dries, providing readers with the knowledge to select the right technology for a given job." "The third edition includes additional diagrams and worked examples throughout. Now topics include digital interfacing and control of drives, direct torque control of induction motors and current-fed operation in DC drives. The material on brushless servomotors has also been expanded."--BOOK JACKET.

This detailed reference provides guidelines for the selection and utilization of electric motors for improved reliability, performance, energy-efficiency, and life-cycle cost. Completely revised and expanded, the book reflects the recent state of the field, as well as recent developments in control electronics, the economics of energy-efficient motors and systems, and advanced power electronic drivers. It includes five new chapters covering key topics such as the fundamentals of power electronics applicable to electric motor drives, adjustable speed drives and their applications, advanced switched reluctance motor drives, and permanent magnet and brushless DC motor drives.

A unique guide to the integration of three-phase induction motors with the emphasis on conserving energy • The energy-saving principle and technology for induction motor is a new topic, and there are few books currently available; this book provides a guide to the technology and aims to bringabout significant advancement in research, and play an important role in improving the level of motor energy saving • Includes new and innovative topics such as a case study of energy saving in beam pumping system, and reactive compensation as a means of energy saving • The authors have worked in this area for 20 years and this book is the result of their accumulated research and expertise. It is unique in its integration of three-phase induction motors with the emphasis on conserving energy • Integrates the saving-energy principle, technology, and method of induction motors with on-site experiences, showing readers how to meet the practical needs and to apply the theory into practice. It also provides case studies and analysis which can help solve problems on-site