AI and IoT technologies immensely help to further pump functioning

Grundfos has already leaped into the manufacturing of IE5 motors, which are integrated with variable frequency drives.

Sharing his views during an interaction with Thermal Control Business Update, Ajit Jainath Singh discussed AI and IoT technologies, performance and opportunities in the HVAC pump market. 

What innovations are happening in the pumps and valve segment that affect HVAC equipment performance? 

Pumps and valves are essential in the functioning of any HVAC system. The requirement is for regulation of flow to enhance performance thereby enabling end user comfort efficiently. 

With the advent of newer technologies, pumps and valves have helped heavily in establishing reliability of the systems. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) are heavily incorporated in the functioning of the pumps, helping them communicate with other elements of the system. This has enabled the systems to function as per the demand, hence ensuring energy efficiency and minimising the wastage of resources. 

As the systems run only as required, there are minimal breakdowns and downtimes, thereby ensuring no compromise on comfort due to the downtime. The technologies have also enabled remote management and monitoring for users and technicians. With this, quick and easy maintenance of the system is also achieved. 

From a technology perspective, what development might improve pump and valve efficiency in the HVAC segment? 

Technologies such as AI and IoT have immensely helped in furthering the functioning of pumps and valves in HVAC systems. Increased utilisation and implementation of the same helps in creating autonomous and reliable systems. 

Today, users are looking for solutions that provide them the best services with minimal maintenance and downtime. Through advanced implementation of industry 4.0 technologies, systems can collect, read data and function in accordance. Smart and intelligent pumps can foresee any malfunctioning and adjust accordingly to avoid it, ensuring little to zero human intervention. 

For instance, Grundfos iSOLUTIONS enables real-time monitoring, remote control, system optimisation, fault prediction and preventive maintenance to achieve the highest level of performance and savings, both in cost and energy through E-pumps. The Confederation of Indian Industries’ (CII) Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Center demonstrated immense energy savings of 50 percent and 75 percent water efficiency with the installation of iSOLUTIONS and the Grundfos CRE pump for the building’s air-conditioning systems. 

The usage of intelligent motors is also taking the forefront in establishing high energy efficiency. These motors are certified on the International Efficiency (IE) scale to ensure energy savings across 5 levels: IE1 to IE5. While most of the companies in many countries are trying to come to terms with the quality and performance standards of IE3 range of motors, the prescribed standards by the European Union, Grundfos has already leaped into the manufacturing of IE5 motors which are integrated with variable frequency drives. 

What opportunities exist for the HVAC Pumps market as well as threats faced by vendors in the global HVAC pumps and valves industry? 

The HVAC industry has seen a huge change since the onset of the pandemic. With manufacturing coming to a standstill, zero movement of goods and raw materials, changing needs of heating and cooling among the masses in accordance with the health guidelines -now the industry is at a dynamic pace. 

There has been a significant shift towards utilising digital solutions and modularisation to make manufacturing and construction more efficient whilst also ensuring massive reduction in carbon footprint. While many vendors see an array of opportunities to position their intelligent products, some still face the challenge due to minimal upgradation of their solutions in line with the market trends. While we are discussing the need for climate positivity, the rate of adoption for sustainable technologies is slow due to the lack of understanding of lifecycle costs. 

While the growth factors are abundant, a huge uncertainty of the industry is the pandemic and its aftermath. The world is slowly getting back to normal through the efforts of everyone globally, yet there exists the threat of another wave in the light of newer, deadlier variants of the virus. This phenomenon has led to reduced confidence in investors, in turn, impacting market demand for vendors of this sector. 

How far will IoT be useful to assist designs in creating pump and valve systems for HVAC? 

IoT as a technology is highly efficient in creating intelligent and smart pumps for the HVAC systems. IoT helps in establishing a connected network that enables pumping systems to communicate efficiently with one another, in turn, establishing high reliability. 

The data collected by these pumps during their functioning can be used for predictive maintenance as well as studied and used for future research and development of more advanced pumps. This will have a positive impact on operating costs, while providing reliable and sustainable pumps for the HVAC sector.