Global AC drives manufacturer Vacon estimates that its products helped save approximately 55 TWh of energy in 2013. Also, the amount of energy produced last year from renewable energy sources with Vacon's AC drives was approximately 22 TWh.

About 55 TWh (50 TWh in 2012) of electrical energy was saved last year with the help of Vacon AC drives. This corresponds to the amount of energy produced by approximately ten 700-MW nuclear power reactors in a year, or the annual electricity consumption of approximately 12 million households in Europe. This also corresponds to approximately 22 hours of the world's annual electrical energy production1.

In addition, in 2013, the amount of energy produced with the help of Vacon's AC drives from renewable energy sources was approximately 22 TWh (20 TWh in 2012). This corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 5 million households in Europe, or approximately 9 hours of the world's entire annual electrical energy production1.

An AC drive adjusts the speed of an electric motor according to the real process need, which typically reduces energy consumption by 20-50%. According to studies, the payback time of AC drives has continuously shortened. For example, in pump and fan applications the payback time can even be less than one year.

"Vacon has delivered AC drives since 1995. From the technological perspective, AC drives will be more energy efficient and offer better performance in the future. Competing or substitute technical solutions do not exist for AC drives and are not within sight," says Vesa Laisi, Vacon's President and CEO.

Energy-efficiency in Vacon's new vision

In November 2013 Vacon published its new community-based vision. The company's vision is The Drives Family, a close community where the best people work together to develop the best products, applications and services for customers.

"The Drives Family helps our customers optimize their operations, save and produce energy efficiently and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this way we make the world and our way of living more sustainable," sums up Vesa Laisi.

Vacon has created a video of its new vision, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wseJ2NWjy_U

1 World's electricity production data: Key World Energy Statistics 2013, International Energy Agency (IEA).

Further information:

  • Vesa Laisi, President and CEO, Vacon Plc, phone +358 (0)40 8371 510, vesa.laisi(at)vacon.com
  • Sebastian Linko, Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Vacon Plc, phone +358 (0)40 8371 634, sebastian.linko(at)vacon.com

Vacon in brief:

Vacon is driven by a passion to develop, manufacture and sell the best AC drives and inverters in the world - and provide customers with efficient product lifecycle services. Vacon offers optimum process control and energy efficiency for various industrial sectors such as building automation, marine and offshore, mining and metals, water and wastewater, and renewable energy. Vacon has production and R&D facilities in Europe, Asia and North America, and sales offices in 29 countries. Further, Vacon has sales representatives and service partners in nearly 90 countries. In 2012, Vacon's revenues amounted to EUR 388.4 million, and the company employed globally approximately 1,500 people. The shares of Vacon Plc (VAC1V) are quoted on the main list of the Helsinki stock exchange (NASDAQ OMX Helsinki).

Driven by Drives, www.vacon.com

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