How Efficient Are Freight Elevators and Can They Regenerate Electricity?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the energy efficiency of freight elevators operating at a speed of one meter per second. It establishes that industrial motors typically achieve an efficiency of around 85%. Additionally, the potential for regenerating electricity from the potential energy of lifted freight is explored, with a target round-trip efficiency of over 70% suggested as a competitive alternative to pumped-storage hydroelectricity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of motor selection in optimizing both lifting and regenerative processes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of industrial motor efficiency, specifically 85% for freight elevators.
  • Knowledge of regenerative braking systems in mechanical engineering.
  • Familiarity with energy storage technologies, particularly pumped-storage hydroelectricity.
  • Basic principles of potential energy and its conversion to electrical energy.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research regenerative braking systems in freight elevators.
  • Explore advanced motor technologies that enhance energy efficiency.
  • Investigate the feasibility of integrating freight elevators with energy storage systems.
  • Study the environmental impacts of freight elevators compared to pumped-storage hydroelectricity.
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, energy efficiency consultants, and professionals involved in designing or optimizing freight elevator systems and energy storage solutions.

lfasn
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Hello all,
I have probably a simple question for mechanical engineers. I would like to know the energy efficiency of real world freight elevators, going up with a speed of one meter per second. How about the best elevator's efficiency I could expect?
 
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It will drastically depend on the motor used. As a rule of thumb for preliminary calculations, 85% is a good starting efficiency number for industrial motors (in my experience anyways).
 
Thank you FredGarvin :)
May be then.. would it possible to 'regenerate' most of the potential energy of the lifted freight, into electricity (e.g. with the same motor, only in reverse)?
What could be the efficiency of this second step?
If the round-trip efficiency could be more than 70%, then this would directly compare (and may be has other advantages, smaller capital cost(?), smaller environmental impact, more potential locations) with the main large scale energy storage technology, namely pumped-storage hydroelectricity?
 

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