Save Energy with Montech AG

Sustainable and economical drive solutions at the airport

Airports face rising energy costs as emphasis on sustainability grows. Choosing the right drive systems for conveyor belts is therefore crucial in order to act sustainably and economically. Motors with a high efficiency class save energy consumption and costs. The continuous energy consumption at airports has a significant impact on the environment. In airports, conveyor belts run around the clock and offer enormous potential for energy savings. The need to limit the global temperature increase caused by greenhouse gas emissions is now undisputed. Regulations and the pursuit of sustainability therefore require careful handling and responsible action.

To protect the environment, CO2 emissions must be reduced. At the same time, energy costs need to be reduced for economic reasons. Zurich Airport shows that this is possible. With targeted measures, CO2 emissions have been reduced by around a third since 1991. At the same time, the infrastructure was expanded and the number of passengers doubled.

Efficient drives reduce energy consumption

Electric drives play an important role at airports as they power machines, which account for the majority of total industrial electricity consumption. Regulations on the efficiency class of drive systems aim to reduce energy consumption, because the higher the efficiency class, the less energy is required. Since July 1, 2021, only electric drives with an efficiency class of at least IE2 are permitted in Europe in the power range from 120W to 750W in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 implementing the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC.

Regulations reduce costs and consumption

These regulations not only have long-term benefits for the environment, but also have a positive impact on annual energy costs. An example: A conveyor belt at the airport runs in three shifts and is powered by a 250 watt motor. If the motor has efficiency class IE5 instead of IE2, there is a significant saving of around 200 euros per year in energy costs. Energy-efficient motors are particularly worthwhile at large airports with many conveyor belts, given the rising electricity prices.

Long-term sustainability with Montech

The Swiss technology company Montech AG specializes in the industrialization and standardization of advanced conveyor belts, transfer systems and innovative aluminum profile systems for a wide range of applications, including in airport operations. The company uses electronically commutated motors for its conveyor belts to achieve high energy efficiency and lower energy costs. These motors are up to 25 percent more efficient than the minimum requirements of efficiency class IE2 for mains-operated electric motors. Even compared to the highest efficiency class IE5, the drives of Montech AG’s conveyor belts are still up to 10 percent more efficient, which contributes to long-term sustainability and cost savings at the airport.