Atlas Copco’s VSD compressors celebrate two decades

The figure, based on a comparison with conventional fixed speed compressors, represents sufficient electricity to supply all of the households in the city of Cambridge for a year, and in terms of carbon emissions is equivalent to taking 42,460 cars off the road for a year. Altlas Copco said: "With compressed air accounting for around 10% of overall energy consumption in British industry, the arrival of VSD technology, which reduced compressor energy consumption by as much as 35%, has been a significant contributor to energy efficiency. "However, ongoing advances in technology are further increasing the potential of VSD compressors, with smaller compressor sizes now able to incorporate variable speed drives." In 2013 Altlas Copco launched the VSD+ range, offering an additional 15% improvement in energy savings to take the total to 50% on average, and housed within a canopy less than half the size of traditional fixed speed compressors. Initially available in 7-15kW options, the range was more recently extended with models between 18-37kW. 2014 saw another change as Atlas Copco began manufacturing its own inverter, the Neos, tailor-made to suit the often tough and dusty working conditions of a compressor. The company said: "These advances have pushed Atlas Copco nearer its target of 80% of new compressor sales incorporating VSD by 2018, and ultimately raising that ratio to 100%." Paul Clark, business line manager for the Industrial Air division of Atlas Copco Compressors in the UK, said: "The introduction of VSD technology into compressors was a huge breakthrough in 1994 but we didn't stop there. "Our commitment to innovation has continued and in the past 12 months alone we have added the VSD+ range, which offers even greater energy efficiency, as well as our own Neos inverter. "With products of this standard coming into the market, there is every reason to be confident that, in the near future, every new compressor sold will incorporate VSD."