Variable Frequency Drives Gaining Momentum in North American Markets

Introduction

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), also known as Adjustable Speed Drives, are power electronic devices used to control the speed of AC motors by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the motor. These devices have seen rapid adoption in industrial and commercial sectors across North America in recent years due to their numerous energy saving and productivity benefits over traditional constant speed control methods. This article explores the growing applications of VFDs as well as industry perspectives on their increasing popularity.

Widespread Applications

VFDs are used in a wide range of applications where variable motor speed control offers advantages. Some of the major industries adopting VFDs in North America include:

HVAC Systems – By allowing precisely adjustable fan and pump speeds that match actual system demand, VFDs provide major energy savings potential in commercial HVAC applications such as variable air volume systems. Many new buildings now have VFDs standard on primary HVAC equipment.

Pumps – A significant number of pumps in water/wastewater, oil/gas industries as well as general industrial processes are now fitted with VFDs. Beyond energy savings, VFDs improve pump control and extend equipment life by preventing wasteful cycling.

Fans – Similar to pumps, VFDs offer major performance and energy benefits when used on supply, exhaust and process fans. They allow speed tuning to precisely match airflow needs.

Material Conveying Systems – In applications such as material transport systems, VFDs enable flexible motor speed adjustment to match material flow rates, improving productivity.

Conveyors – VFDs used in conjunction with servo drives in assembly lines, order picking systems etc. provide dynamic production line flow control.

Compressors – VFDs are increasingly replacing on/off compressors incompressed air systems, resulting in significant energy reductions through demand-based speed control.

These represent some of the major process industry and building automation applications where speed controlling VFDs have seen rapid increase in utilization. Experts feel their use will only expand further with growing awareness of operational advantages.

Performance and Cost Benefits

By modulating motor speed through variable voltage/frequency control, VFDs deliver numerous performance and economic benefits over mechanical and fixed speed solutions:

Energy Savings – Precise motor speed control allows matching output to specific process needs, avoiding excess capacity. This results in significant energy reductions estimates ranging from 20-50% depending on application.

Reduced Equipment Wear – Eliminating wasteful cycling, hard starts/stops protects mechanical components from excessive thermal/mechanical stress lowering maintenance costs over time.

Extended Motor Life – By preventing stress on windings, bearing, shafts etc. VFD operation extends motor lifetime compared to on/off duty cycles.

Improved Process Control – Digital feedback and programmable speed profiles enable dynamic, repeatable profiles for improved quality, consistency in processing lines.

Increased Productivity – High-performance motor control boosts system efficiency, eliminating bottlenecks and downtime associated with less responsive speed control methods.

Payback Period – With installation costs decreasing substantially, combined energy savings and maintenance benefits result in rapid 1-3 year typical payback periods according to industry studies.

These hard dollar savings along with improved production metrics have accelerated adoption of VFD technology in place of alternative speed regulation methods across a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

Market Growth and Future Outlook

According to research by Allied Market Research, the North American VFD market was valued at $3.42 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $5.8 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% during this period. Growth factors driving the rising sales include:

Stringent Energy Efficiency Regulations – Tightening building codes and industrial motor system efficiency standards increase VFD installations for mandated compliance.

HVAC Equipment Upgrades – Growing HVAC infrastructure replacement cycles support ongoing use of VFDs in air handlers, chillers, fans etc. for enhanced control and Energy Star qualifications.

Process Automation Trends – Integration of IIoT, Industry 4.0 initiatives favors VFD enabled smart motor control for advanced monitoring, predictive maintenance in manufacturing.

Demand Response Incentives – Utility rebate programs for VFD enabled demand management solutions in peak shaving applications provide additional purchase incentives.

Expanding Applications – Emerging usages beyond core verticals like water/wastewater treatment facilities, and adoption in lesser penetrated SME industries will further fuel market expansion.

With VFDs establishing clear ROI advantages and the total adjustable speed drive market expected to grow at 5-7% rates through 2027, penetration in existing applications as well as new frontier markets appears set to increase substantially. As awareness of performance and savings potentials rises, VFD deployment will likely remain a cornerstone technology investment for peak efficiency gains.

In summary, variable frequency drives have emerged as a disruptive motor control technology revolutionizing process control across commercial and industrial facilities in North America. Beyond energy savings, their enhanced speed regulation delivers significant productivity, quality and lifecycle benefits. Backed by strong value propositions and supportive policy drivers, penetration in major end-uses from HVAC to material handling continues to deepen established and emerging applications. Overall industry projections indicate VFD installations will maintain robust growth trajectories as they empower optimized equipment functions across an ever widening range of process industries.

Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it