ABB's Efficiency Push

ABB champions energy efficiency. It aims to cut emissions. High-efficiency motors are key. They can return 10% energy capacity. New infrastructure is not needed.

Data Center Energy Crisis

Data centers consume vast energy. In 2024, they used 415 TWh. This represented 1.5% of global demand. Operators must reduce consumption.

Motor Upgrades Deliver Savings

ABB's white paper targets data centers. Motor and drive upgrades are vital. They offer immediate energy savings. New infrastructure is unnecessary. High-efficiency motors replace standard ones. Variable-speed drives pair with them. This cuts emissions and boosts productivity.

Industrial Motor Opportunity

Industrial electric motors consume 45% of global electricity. Only 25% use drives now. Upgrading these offers massive potential.

Leadership Perspective

Erich Labuda is ABB Motion Services President. He states efficient solutions cut electricity. They minimize waste. Equipment lifespan extends. Operational costs decrease. Emissions also fall. Energy efficiency preserves resources. It reduces fossil fuel dependence. It lowers operational costs. Productivity remains high or improves. This benefits the planet and profits.

Real-World Savings Revealed

ABB conducted audits. They screened over 10,500 motor systems. This happened between November 2024 and May 2025. They identified 5,900 for upgrades. Average energy savings reached 43%. This totaled 941,000 MWh. That equals 91,715 US households' annual use.

Global Impact and Pledges

ABB's research supports COP28 goals. It aligns with the UAE Consensus pledge. Doubling energy efficiency is the target. From 2% to 4% annually by 2030. ABB estimates four actions. These could avoid 2.53 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually. This equals 600 coal plants' emissions. These actions offer huge benefits. A US$4.1tn gross benefit is possible. Net upside reaches US$1.23tn after investments.

Variable Speed Drive Advantage

Variable-speed drives adjust motor speed. They match load requirements. Motors do not run at constant full speed. This eliminates energy waste. Inefficient throttling is common. Facilities need variable cooling. They also require variable ventilation.

CERN Case Study

CERN performed energy audits. They screened 800 motors. A 17.4% efficiency gain emerged. This was in cooling and ventilation. It translated to 31 GWh annual savings. This powers over 18,000 European homes.

Government’s Role in Efficiency

Policy is crucial for scaling efficiency. ABB advocates for MEPS. Minimum efficiency performance standards are vital. Tax incentives help. Smart carbon markets are also necessary.

China's Efficiency Success

China shows great progress. ABB installed 11 million motors. These were high-efficiency motors and drives. This saved over 510bn kWh. This equals Shanghai’s electricity for three years. It avoided 500m tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Chinese companies recognize returns. 86% plan further efficiency investments.

Efficiency: The 'First Fuel'

Erich explains efficiency is abundant. It is a cost-effective resource. It reduces energy supply needs. It paves the way to net zero. The IEA calls it the "first fuel." Only 25% of motors use VSDs. VSDs adjust motor speed. They match actual demand. It's like gently pressing a car accelerator.

Aurubis's European Success

Aurubis is a copper producer. They replaced 460 motors. These were IE4 and IE5 models. Many paired with ABB drives. This was in Bulgaria. The project cut electricity by 25 GWh annually. It paid for itself in 3.5 years. It delivered reduced emissions. Performance also improved.

Digitalization Drives Efficiency

Digitalization is fundamental to efficiency. Smart sensors are key. Cloud-connected systems provide data. Real-time motor performance data is available. This enables predictive maintenance. It optimizes system-wide performance. These capabilities address data center needs. Maximum uptime is crucial. Performance monitoring is vital. Facilities face pressure to perform.

Brazilian Utility's Digital Wins

Saneago is a Brazilian utility. They deployed ABB Ability drives. Smart motors were also used. They reduced pumping energy bills. Savings reached US$700,000 annually. Uptime also improved. The solution enables remote monitoring. It prevents failures. It refines operations dynamically.

ABB's TIE Initiative

ABB's Top Industrial Efficiency (TIE) Initiative offers options. Businesses get high-performing efficiency. It's offered as standard. In 2025, ABB helped an Indian steel plant. Motor efficiency reached 99.13%. ABB calls this a world record. Over 25 years, it will save US$5.9m. It will also save 61 GWh in electricity.

Policy Advocacy is Key

ABB advocates for policy support. This includes MEPS. Tax incentives are important. Carbon markets are also advocated. India’s government helps. Industrial efficiency upgrades qualify. They are eligible for carbon offsets. This incentivizes businesses. They adopt efficiency measures. Financial performance is not compromised.

Significant Global Impact

Erich explains motor upgrades' impact. Higher-efficiency motors reduce consumption. Global electricity use can drop 10%. This equals 300 million households' use. Energy affordability is important. Security is also vital. Industrial competitiveness matters more than ever. These opportunities are too big to ignore.