The research, which will be carried out between 2022 and 2023, is based on an agreement between ABB and CERN. As part of this, the partners drew up a plan to reduce the electricity consumption of around 800 motors in the facility's cooling and ventilation systems with the help of data-based energy efficiency audits. A potential annual energy saving of up to 31 GWh was identified. The amount of electricity saved could supply more than 18,000 European households with an average energy requirement of 1670 kWh/a and avoid 4 kt of_{CO2 emissions}.

Energy efficiency audits help large facilities such as CERN to identify the greatest energy-saving opportunities in their motor fleets. To this end, the performance and efficiency of motors are evaluated on the basis of their operating data. As part of the research project, a wide range of motor data from various cooling and ventilation applications was reviewed. The experts combined data from multiple sources, including digitally networked motors, CERN's SCADA system and data collected directly from pumps, piping and instrumentation, and also analyzed overall system efficiency to identify the motors with the greatest potential for energy efficiency improvements.

Giovanni Anelli, Head of the Knowledge Transfer Group at CERN, said: "We initiated the collaboration with ABB to optimize the laboratory's cooling and ventilation infrastructure in order to reduce energy consumption. This is in line with CERN's commitment to reduce its environmental footprint and to make the results public in order to maximize the benefits for society. The collaboration provides a good example of cooperation in which each side makes its contribution. CERN contributes its extensive infrastructure, ABB its technology and service expertise. We are very pleased with the final outcome of the research project, as we were able to exceed our target of identifying potential efficiency improvements of 10 to 15 percent."

"Cooling and ventilation systems are an ideal starting point for efficiency measures," explains Erich Labuda, Head of the Services Division at ABB Motion. "These systems are often oversized and designed to operate far above average values at maximum load. At CERN, we have actually identified a pump motor with an energy saving potential of 64 percent. It is also important to evaluate not only the motor efficiency, but the entire system, including fans, condensers and cooling towers. This holistic approach supports the improvement of CERN's overall energy efficiency and reliability."

As a next step, CERN will create a plan to upgrade the first motors to the solutions recommended in the energy efficiency audit: IE5 efficiency class synchronous reluctance motors operated with frequency converters. These motors will also be digitally networked, enabling the use of condition monitoring solutions. This means that the condition and performance of the motors can be precisely monitored to ensure maximum availability.