Compressed air is high quality energy that can be very expensive. Depending on the overpressure and the compressor technology used, a considerable amount of electricity is required to generate one cubic meter of the compressed gas ..
Losses on the way to the consumer due to treatment stages and the supply network can significantly increase the electrical energy required for the amount of compressed air actually available.
Accordingly, in medium to large industrial companies, costs in the five- to six-digit euro range quickly accumulate over the year.

But there are a number of efficiency screws with which you can regulate energy consumption in manufacturing downwards. Starting with modern and efficient compressors , processing technology and compressed air network  to the higher-level control of the compressed air station, it's monitoring and its equipment with heat recovery units .
And if you energetically improve your compressed air supply, you not only benefit from significantly lower power consumption, but can also apply for funding for your investments in many cases .

The energy transition in companies is ongoing and the factor of energy efficiency continues to gain importance. This is the conclusion of the Institute for Energy Efficiency in Production EEP at the University of Stuttgart, which has been collecting current and planned activities of German industry on energy efficiency every six months since 2013. At 2.24 points, the energy efficiency index EEI for winter 2018/19 swas higher than ever. This means that the chances that more energy efficiency will find its way into companies and manufacturing plants are extremely favorable. This is not surprising given the current climate debate.
The targeted exit from coal will probably cause energy prices to rise in the future; the rising costs of CO2 certificates can also become a burden in the foreseeable future. So if you trim your company for efficiency in good time, you can cut your energy costs in the medium term. In parallel, companies that improve their carbon footprint will also be able to use this as a marketing argument. As costly energy that is required in many industries and often in large quantities, compressed air has great potential to increase efficiency in the company and reduce energy consumption. In the following we have compiled the most important factors for you on this topic.

• In this article, read below that compressed air has great potential for efficiency improvements. • Funding options for efficient machines and systems for generating compressed air (new construction or renovation). • The role of compressed air supply in the context of energy audits or energy management systems. • How a remote monitoring system can maximize efficiency. • How superior control multiple compressors are energy efficient at the optimum operating point can • with lower energy cost efficient compressors from the beginning • use again with heat recovery compaction energy • Design the pipeline network efficiently, locate and eliminate leaks

How much energy can you really save?
Arrange a free measurement of your actual power consumption here.

When the compressed air system needs to be modernized, there are many starting points for improving efficiency. Not only the generation and processing have to be considered, but also the compressed air distribution nd the various customers.

It is important to check whether the entire compressed air system and the machines actually need the overpressure present - which was possibly planned many years ago or which has become unnecessarily high due to leakages - or whether a lower value can be implemented..
For example, the optimization of the compressed air network is  often a worthwhile measure to reduce pressure losses and thus energy consumption.
Another way to increase efficiency is to implement a tighter pressure band, i.e. to reduce pressure fluctuations. This can be achieved by using a higher-level control  erreicht werden. Last but not least, it is recommended to use modern generation and processing technology  to be used - preferably with a compressed air station in which at least one compressor operates at a variable speed - and finally torecover waste heat in order to save energy.
Atlas Copco's technology portfolio ranges from highly efficient speed-controlled compressors  uand dryers to energy recovery systems  and higher-level controls to AirNet , an innovative piping system based on pre-assembled components made of anodized aluminum or stainless steel. Atlas Copco also offers various services that can also be used to turn the compressed air efficiency screw in the right direction.
Compressed air systems can be analyzed with the so-called AirScan and weak points identified that are energetically critical. The AirScan is often used in advance of the design of new systems, but also to get more information about an existing compressed air network. It also helps to pass, an energy audit  by documenting the individual compressed air consumption and its development.
Another product to maximize Atlas Copco's efficiency is the Smartlink service . The internet-based data monitoring program supports the user in reducing the operating costs as much as possible by minimizing energy consumption. The company already has an energy management system established, the required visualization, data recording and documentation can also be carried out via Smartlink  erfolgen. Atlas Copco supports you from the start of planning to the commissioning of the compressed air system and the subsequent service. In addition we will inform you about funding opportunities  and assist you with your application.

>> >> Find out more about the funding options for your compressed air system here