Inovance and the Free Energy Systems

Though the system is not completely new, the multiple visions are vital all the same.

Machine-room-less (MRL) elevators, gearless permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), and regenerative drive technology are, in my view, three of the most important trends in the elevator industry. None of these is completely new, but they are crucial. All carry many advantages, which I’ll outline in the rest of this article, but there’s a common thread that weaves through all three: energy savings. In an era of soaring energy costs and heightened environmental awareness, this alone is reason enough for elevator manufacturers and end users to sit up and take notice.

MRL Solutions

MRL elevator solutions are one of the most notable trends in elevators for low- and medium-rise buildings in India today, and they offer clear benefits to OEMs and end users. The lack of a machine room makes the whole solution space efficient and significantly reduces construction costs. This makes the MRL the most popular elevator solution, particularly in hotels and apartments with limited space. The MRL system works by placing the hoisting motor drive at the top of the hoistway, above the lift car. This type of system is now widely installed and, in many regions, has all but replaced the traditional elevator system. Overall, MRL systems with PMSM gearless machines are highly energy and cost efficient (typically saving up to 40% in electrical power). They are particularly popular with property owners on a tight budget.

Inovance’s SLC (Slim Line Series) Series is a slim and compact elevator control cabinet, specially designed for MRL lifts with serial technology. The compact SLC series control cabinet is designed to be easily concealed, either in the door frame or on the wall next to the doors. The solution features a rapid commissioning step through sequence, standard 16 floor full collective (with a full serial connection), the smoothest ride performance and direct-to-floor technology, as well as duplex onboard group control. Our products also incorporate safety features that comply with EN safety standards, such as EN 81-20/-50.

Gearless PMSM

Gearless PMSMs are another crucial trend, and again, perhaps the most significant benefit of this solution is the energy savings. For example, a KONE whitepaper shows that, in a high-rise building with 20+ units, PMSM technology will often have return of investment that can pay back the costs of a complete elevator within 12 years. Meanwhile, energy consumption is commonly reduced by 40% compared to traditional elevators.

The application of PMSM gearless machines allows the elevator industry to optimize the space needed for machine rooms, and also leads to a switchover to MRL lifts in many cases.

This also means the size of the emergency power generator can be reduced, delivering further cost savings. Compared to the weight of an alternative solution — the asynchronous VVVF (variable voltage, variable frequency) geared machine — the weight of the PMSM is drastically reduced, by around 50%, which can result in energy savings of up to 40%. Inovance’s SLC and NICE series products are specially designed to run smoothly with PMSM gearless machines.

Regenerative Drives

Regenerative drives provide significant environmental benefits, and they are particularly effective in elevators. Their function is to return energy back to your building’s power grid from the elevator system, which can be used for other power needs. Since the brake resistors are replaced by the regenerative drives, the reduced heat scales back the need to cool the machine room, providing further savings.

The technology works by capturing the waste energy from the elevator, and recycling heat energy generated in the elevator that would otherwise be wasted. The best regenerative units are easy to use, easily programmable and require very little adjustment once installed.

Inovance offers Active Front End (AFE) units along with NICE Integrated Solutions, which can be combined to offer regenerative drive technology to substantially improve the energy efficiency of an elevator system.

In my view, all elevator OEMs, wherever possible, should be using regenerative technology. Regenerative is a truly “green” option and, given the major cost savings that also accrue, there seems little reason not to adopt it. Inovance’s integrated elevator controller products-SLC series, NICE3000+ and NICE1000+ support PMSM motor technology: All three can be combined with Inovance AFE to have a regenerative power feature, too.