VARISPEED has announced that it is launching the Alpha Drive range of Variable Speed Drives (VSD) at the KZN Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) 2025.

The company says the Alpha Drive range has an exceptional cost-to-benefit ratio and offers both a low and medium voltage solution. With an enviable average delivery time of less than one month, the new range could become a very popular VSD solution for electronic motor control in almost every industry.

The ‘big daddy’ in the range – the HV320 – features precise speed, torque, and position control functions suitable for both sensor and sensor-less synchronous / asynchronous motors, providing world-class performance and stability for a variety of industry applications such as production, processing, food, chemical, metal processing, rubber, plastics, municipal & infrastructure, and many more.

Like all Varispeed drives, the Alpha range leads to significant improvements in energy efficiency, equipment performance, and overall operational cost-effectiveness. They come standard with an advanced, preprogrammed for the unique environment, HMI interface to allow for complete ease of set-up, monitoring and management, according to the company.

Industry-leading warranties and expert service support all Varispeed’s best-in-class products and solutions.

As the sole distributor of Yaskawa products in southern Africa, Varispeed supplies drives and also designs tailored, energy-efficient solutions for pumps, fans, and complex systems. Backed by 40+ years of expertise and end-to-end support, the company is a trusted partner in electronic motor control.

VSDs can save money in various ways by optimising energy usage and reducing operational costs. These cost savings can be achieved through:

Energy efficiency: VSDs allow the adjustment of the speed of electric motors based on the required load, which results in reduced energy consumption. Traditional fixed-speed motors run at full speed even when the load is lower, wasting energy. VSDs ensure that motors operate at the most efficient speed, leading to significant energy savings.
Demand-based operation: VSDs enable demand-based operation, where motor speed is matched to the current load. This prevents motors from running at full capacity when it’s not necessary, leading to lower energy consumption and cost savings.
Soft starting and stopping: VSDs provide soft start and stop capabilities, which reduce mechanical stress on equipment during motor start-up and shutdown. This prolongs the lifespan of motors and reduces maintenance and replacement costs.
Reduced wear and tear: Running motors at lower speeds using VSDs reduces wear and tear on mechanical components, such as belts, gears, and bearings. This can extend the lifespan of equipment, leading to cost savings in maintenance and replacement parts.
Process optimisation: VSDs allow for precise control of motor speed, which is beneficial in processes where maintaining specific speeds or flow rates is critical. Optimising processes with VSDs can improve overall efficiency, reduce waste, and save money in the long run.
Avoiding peak demand charges: In commercial and industrial settings, electricity providers often charge higher rates during peak demand periods. By using VSDs to control motor speed and reduce energy consumption during peak hours, businesses can avoid peak demand charges and lower their electricity bills.
Improved power factor: VSDs can improve the power factor of the motor, making it more efficient and reducing reactive power demand. In some utility tariffs, a poor power factor can result in additional charges. By improving power factor, VSDs can help avoid these charges and save money.
Energy recovery: Some VSDs have the ability to regenerate energy during motor deceleration. This recovered energy can be reused or fed back into the power grid, leading to further energy savings and potential financial incentives in some regions.
Equipment downsizing: In certain cases, VSDs can enable the downsizing of motors and related equipment. As VSDs allow motors to operate at lower speeds while maintaining the required output, smaller and more efficient motors may be used, resulting in cost savings on equipment purchases.
Incentives and rebates: Many governments and utility companies offer incentives, rebates, or tax benefits for implementing energy-saving technologies like VSDs. Taking advantage of these programs can further reduce the initial cost of VSD installation and increase overall cost savings.

Overall, Varispeed says, by reducing energy consumption, optimising processes, and improving equipment performance, variable speed drives can deliver substantial cost savings and provide a relatively quick return on investment for businesses and industries.