Energy Efficient Elevator Technologies

Energy Efficient Elevator Technologies Energy Efficient Elevator Technologies Elevator manufacturers are producing premium elevators for mid- and high-rise buildings that are extremely energy efficient. These traction elevators have improved controls, hardware, and other systems that not only use less energy, but are much more compact, efficient, and even generate electricity that a facility can use.Reducing Overall Energy Usage with Control StrategiesThe most energy efficient elevators now havesoftware- and microprocessor-based controls instead of electromechanical relaysin-cab sensors and software that automatically enter an idle or sleep mode, turning off lights, ventilation, music, and video screens when unoccupieddestination dispatch control software that batches elevator stop requests, making fewer stops and minimizing wait time, reducing the number of elevators requiredpersonalized elevator calls used with destination dispatch controls that eliminate the need for in-cab contro ls.Diagram of a geared traction elevator (left) and a gearless traction elevator (right). prestige Otis WorldwideMid- and high-rise buildings typically have geared or gearless traction elevators capable of high or variable speed operation. One energy-saving change manufacturers have recently begun to offer is double-deck elevators. They are two cabs tall, one stopping at even-numbered floors and one serving odd. They can reduce a buildings overall energy usage by reducing the number of stops and even the total number of elevators required when used with destination dispatch controls.New elevator control software provides tools that elevator consultants use to perform elevator bank traffic studies. How an elevator cycles affects its energy flow. By observing the sporadic nature of elevator operation, number of floors traveled, periods of peak load, and the fact that elevators are not always loaded to rated capacity, consultants create energy consumption estimates. These models help a consultant create efficient control strategies and make hardware recommendations.Energy Efficient HardwareRegenerative drives are another remarkable advancement in energy-efficient elevator technology. They recycle energy rather than wasting it as heat.Otis ReGen drive. Image Otis WorldwideThe permanent magnet motors in Otis ReGen drives are capable of bidirectional energy flow. Magnateks Donald Vollrath explains how they operate in his Elevator World Continuing Education Program Regenerative Elevator Drives What, How and Why. When power flows into the motor, it creates a lifting torque on the shaft and elevator sheave, lifting the carriage. When the carriage travels down, the motor acts as a generator, transforming mechanical power into electrical power and pumping current back into the facilitys electrical grid to use elsewhere.When a cab goes up with a light load and down with a heavy load, the system generates more power than it uses. Over time these small amounts of power gene rated during each elevators sporadic decelerations add up to noticeable savings. They use less energy than non-regenerative drives, and reducing the excess heat in the building.Diagram depicting how the Regenerative Drive sytem works. Image Otis WorldwideThe most energy efficient types of elevators are machine-roomless (MRL) traction elevators. Manufacturers redesigned the motors and all of the other equipment normally housed in a machine room above conventional elevators to fit into the hoistway. These space-saving improvements eliminate the need to build and supply energy to a machine room and consume significantly less energy than the larger versions previously used. They also generate less heat.Otis offers additional energy savings in its state-of-the-art Gen2 MRL elevator. They also compacted the controller and moved it into the hoistway, eliminating the need for a separate control room. See video to learn about the redesigned systems and how they were integrated in the Gen2.Ma nufacturers are now giving more attention to improving energy usage in the other systems such as cab lighting, fans, doors, brakes, and elevator controls. They use efficient LED lights in cab panels, overhead, and in floor indicators. They include door drive motors that that can enter a standby mode or efficiently recover from removal of power when not in use. These motors also support variable door-open and -close times, and their energy use is factored into the overall control strategy.Debbie Sniderman is CEO of VI Ventures LLC, a technical consulting company.Manufacturers are now giving more attention to improving energy usage in the other systems such as cab lighting, fans, doors, brakes, and elevator controls.