VISAKHAPATNAM: The state energy department is all set to introduce agricultural motors with the globally acclaimed technology – permanent magnet brushless direct current (PMBLDC).
According to the energy officials, PMBLDC is one such technology which will improve motor efficiency to 90% against the existing efficiency of 75% with induction motor technology. Even the life expectancy of the PMBLDC system is expected to improve to 15 to 20 years due to high grade materials as compared to the lifespan of conventional AC motors of around 10 years.
As a part of this endeavour, a joint venture company of AP power utilities, AP State Energy Efficiency Development Corporation Limited (APSEEDCO), has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.
Chief executive officer, State Energy Conservation Mission, A Chandrasekhar Reddy, said that the project deliverables of the MoU are preparing the design document of the proposed project, manufacturing protocol as per industry standards, complete operational manual, and soft copy of simulations and working model to demonstrate the technology.
“Apart from the agricultural and domestic pumping, this technology can be utilised in air conditioning compressors, refrigerators, washing machines, electric vehicles, etc. to improve their overall efficiency,” said Reddy.
The APSEEDCO technical team in coordination with Andhra University conducted a webinar and discussed in detail the technicalities of the proposed technology and did a comprehensive analysis of the concept of PMBLDC.
Energy secretary, Srikant Nagulapalli, who was briefed by the APSEEDCO officials on the proposed PMBLDC project, emphasised the need to strengthen research & development activities in the energy efficiency field.
“Advanced countries like the United States, Japan, Germany, France, etc. give high priority to R&D activities and each country contributed to the tune of around $100 billion towards research programmes,” said Srikant.
Minister for energy, environment, forest, and science & technology Balineni Srinivasa Reddy said that the ultimate objective of the government was to provide the highest quality of power supply to the agriculture sector, which was the backbone for development of the economy in the state.
He appreciated the energy department for the new R&D initiative that could help improve energy efficiency in the agriculture sector. “It may have a major impact on the quality of power supply that enables farmers for improved reliability and enhanced life period of motors. It helps reduce the maintenance cost for the farmer,” said Srinivasa Reddy.
