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June 2009
As the country lays down its weary head and puts 2008 once and for all to bed, one can only but wonder what 2009 has in store for all South Africans and the rest of the world. It can however certainly not be said that 2008 was a dull year, but probably one we would not like to repeat.
With the economic roller coaster still very much on the downhill run we can only hold our collective breath as to how many ups and downs we are still going to have to endure and recover from before the thrill of long term positive economic expectations can be enjoyed within the various business sectors.
As this situation affects each and every man in the street on a personal as well as a business level it cannot be denied that price will be a strong sales argument for all sales people to contend with who, on a daily basis will have to justify and negotiate the best deal for the end user.
It must be agreed that when money is tight, price is a strong argument but, it must not be forgotten that quality will far outlast the money saved from the time of the purchase. It is at these times that BEP (best efficiency point), motor efficiency, energy savings, Life Cycle Costs, Cost of Ownership and the right equipment for the job should be first and foremost on the buyers list of priorities and price being the last consideration when purchasing pumps. The price of electricity and the effects it has on the environment will far outlive the current economic situation and will have a greater bottom line effect for a much longer period when taking into account the monthly bill paid for the electricity used to operate these units during their lifespan.
Ask any man on the street today what we pay per kilowatt hour of power used, be it at home or at work and you will probably find that only about 10% can give you an accurate figure. The reason for this being that South Africans have until recently had access to reasonably cheap electricity supply in comparison to Europe and other countries around the world.
Service Man with Pump Audit Suitcase
It is said that 25% of any given countries power is used by pumps, so the impact pump manufacturers have on the environment is staggering and it is up to all to make a positive contribution and assist where they can with more efficient and environmentally friendly units. We must, as an industry also look more closely at renewable energy as an alternative source where possible as well.
Eskom is constantly suggesting methods to put in place as well as initiatives to gain from savings so that we can all use less and be smarter in how we go about it. This can however be a massive task for plant managers who have old equipment which is operating “normally”, but are aware that at the time of purchase it was either all that was available or was the most up to date technology that money could buy at the time, but today, it could be far off the efficiencies of products currently produced or outdated in terms of how things can be done. This can either apply to the number of pumps used for a particular application or the kilowatt required to operate the old technology. How can these people prove what is currently been used at any given time of the day or night during operation and what tools are available on the market today that can do a full energy audit on pumps and installations, be it for 1 or 100 pumps, how do we measure this?
Grundfos South Africa can now perform Energy Audits which give accurate calibrated data on flow measures, energy currently used, efficiencies of pump installations and we can suggest and assist with replacement equipment where required or identify changes that may need to be made. This 21st century tool is the answer to many a plant manager’s predicament as well as it can be used to submit to Eskom on current usage status and future improved usage proposal once adjustments or replacements have been put in place within any given pump application. A full data and written report is submitted after each audit which is written proof of active solution finding and positive environmental impact contribution by the pump user and owner.
Another sales gimmick this certainly is not. In a country like India, to date Grundfos has done 156 audits since 2006 and have documented results of 3972Kwh saved for the client and country as well as 3.42 tons/hr CO2 emission reduction over the same period.
Grundfos UK have similar results with a higher value savings to the end user on their electricity bill due to the higher rate charged by the local energy supplier.
As an environmentally concise company and how we impact both negatively or positively on our surroundings Grundfos is constantly looking for ways to make better, more efficient pumps and pumping solutions, but are also aware that it is our responsibility as a global company to change what and where we can for the better of us all and must be able to supply the tools to perform the service, hence the Pump Audit tool.
Along with Life Cycle Cost (LCC) which are hard-facts calculations of the cost of a pump system over its entire lifetime, making up elements of the initial purchase price, installation, maintenance, energy consumption and disposal.
Another big focus on pump usage that must not be forgotten being, Cost of Ownership (CoO) analysis which estimates the overall costs consistent with the pumps quality and function. Choosing just the right pump dimension and material to fit your needs can minimize both the energy consumption and maintenance costs considerably.
Cost of Ownership is made up as follows:-
5% as part of the initial purchase price of the pump’s total cost over its lifetime.
85% of the pump’s Life Cycle Costs are incurred by energy consumption, and
10% is applicable to service and maintenance costs.
This being proof in its own right that the right pump for the right application plays and extremely important part of the initial selection of the equipment as well as the continuous efficient operation of it as well, thus also playing an enormous roll on environmental impact worldwide.
Grundfos will always strive to do what is right for the environment as well as find solutions for pumping applications that are technologically advanced and the tools to assist in making existing installations better at what they are currently performing, this being moving liquid from point A to point B in the most efficient manner possible.
For pump audits or more information about Grundfos and our products please contact us at
+27 11 579 4800
> Download Cost of Ownership Brochure (pdf file)
Submitted by Lorraine Smart
Grundfos South Africa
Marketing/Projects Manager
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