ABB’s new, highly energy-efficient synchronous reluctance motor and drive package has won the 2011 Automation Award. ABB says “the package represents a breakthrough that combines best-in-class energy efficiency and customer value. The award is the most important in the automation sector in Germany, presented every year at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES trade show in Nuremberg, Germany.” The main feature of the new motor is the innovative design of its rotor, which has no windings, unlike traditional synchronous designs. The rotor thus suffers virtually no power losses and the rotor temperature remains lower than in conventional rotors. ABB has succeeded in using this technology to achieve better power density and higher energy efficiency. The package includes a matched motor and drive with dedicated software. Optimised for variable speed operation it offers smooth, efficient process control, and optimal use of energy.

ABB exhibited the revolutionary synchronous reluctance motor and drive technology for the first time at the 2011 Hanover trade show where it aroused great interest.

“With this package you get the performance of permanent magnet motors without the use of magnets,” said Steve Ruddell, Head of Global Marketing at ABB’s Motors and Generators business unit. “The extraordinarily high energy efficiency and power density of these packages can be attributed to the innovative rotor design and the optimised drive control.” The package will be made available in two variants:

Package 1: Super premium efficiency class IE4 – This package, consisting of a super premium efficiency synchronous motor and matched frequency converter, is designed for maximum efficiency.

Package 2: High power density and compact size – This package, a high-performance synchronous motor and matched frequency converter, is designed for maximum performance.