A project that improved the energy efficiency of large tonnage injection molding machines in China was recognized as a “demonstration project” at the recent sixth annual U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington.
The project was carried out by China Southern Power Grid (CSPG), which helped Chinese appliance giant Changhong Electric Co. Ltd. boost the energy efficiency of nearly 200 injection presses in four plants.
The process has reduced the average power consumption by 40 percent, CSPG said in a statement. It's estimated that on an annual basis the improvements will save 23.4 million kWh of energy, or more than 7,700 metric tons of coal.
China has been aggressively pushing for energy saving projects for industrial equipment, including injection molding machines.
Using Ningbo as a case study, the major industrial hub for the production of both injection presses and plastics products is running a three-year project to upgrade 9,000 injection presses, according to local reports. The city government said the local industry currently has 16,000 injection presses in operation, and 9,000 of them “have potential for energy efficiency improvements.” The plan is to upgrade 2,500 machines this year, 3,500 in 2016 and 3,000 in 2017.
The financing of such projects is subsidized by the government. In general, the payback period is as short as one year.
The annual U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum is co-organized by the U.S. Department of Energy and China's National Development and Reform Commission.