Competitivity and efficiency in Electrical Energy savings opportunities in the Sugar Industry

Abstract

This is an epoch of competition. Energy will always be fundamental in the tides of the market. Energy saved is a gate to economical effectiveness and a contribution of the sugar cane industry to gas emission reduction from fossil-fueled power plants. In the past century researchers focused on combustion, thermal and mechanic energy efficiency through efficient boilers, heat recovery systems, evaporators, general equipment design, operation management etc. Now days saved electric energy is an important source of revenues and a resource not enough considered because, perhaps, it’s by-product and low cost of production in the sugar industry. There are some factors related with electric energy consumption in sugar factories; among them: motors and pumps efficient operation, selection and replacement program of electric motors, efficient and adjustable speeds drives, gearing losses, power factor improvement, load management systems, efficient lighting, I&C, etc. So energy saved is an opportunity to reduce costs and increase revenues and a way to sustainable future. This article relates the opportunities and the technical and economic aspects to be considered in an electric energy consumption improvement program in the sugar industry. Is supported, as a study case, in a 4 000 t/day sugar cane capacity factory in Cienfuegos Province.