Keywords: Adjustable Speed Drives (ASD), Energy Efficiency, Low Power AC Drives, Motor Speed Controls, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), Infrastructure
The market for low power AC drives or variable frequency drives (VFD) in India will be driven largely by infrastructure growth and the need for energy efficiency. Orders for low power AC drives in 2013 were somewhat negatively impacted compared to 2012. The slowdown was mainly due to the crunch in the country’s economy. However, the India market for low power AC drives is expected to strongly rebound in forecast period (2013-2018) according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.
A number of megatrends affect this market. The need for energy will grow to an unsupportable level without continuous improvement in energy efficiency. “Mechanical and hydraulic solutions are being replaced with electric motors in different industries, which provide more opportunities for the use of AC drives,” according to Country Manager ARC Advisory Group India, G. Ganapathiraman, co-author of ARC’s new “Low Power AC Drives for India Market Research Study”.
Energy Efficiency and Infrastructure Will Be Key Drivers
The market growth for low power AC drives will be driven largely by massive consumption in the infrastructure and manufacturing industries, especially electric power, machinery, and automotive. Huge investments in infrastructure, as projected in India’s 12th five-year Plan (2012-2017) and the newly introduced National Manufacturing Policy will boost investments in several industries.
Also, the need for energy efficiency will encourage companies to invest in automation equipment, including low power AC drives and other categories of VFDs, which are required to help users achieve their energy savings goals. The energy-intensive industries such as textiles, water & wastewater, and cement & glass will continue to make investments in low power AC drives.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) will help create another industrial revolution, as smart machines, inventory systems, and production machinery considerably improve industrial processes, driving the use of more automation, including AC drives. In addition, the IoT offers opportunities to apply new kinds of business models that will promote high growth. For example, Internet connectivity allows industrial devices equipped with AC drives (including the rotating equipment that is critical to the profitability of many heavy industries), resulting in added value for industrial operations.
In addition to the quantitative assessment of the low power AC drives market, this ARC study provides an insightful analysis of the products and strategies of the leading and emerging low power AC drives suppliers.
For more information on this study, please visit our Market Research section.