Danfoss

	Vice CEO & COO Niels B. Christiansen on the island of Als, with Danfoss’ headquarters in the background

“Danfoss’ frequency converters alone save energy equal to that from two rather large power stations”

The globe is getting warmer and energy resources scarcer. The focus is on energy and the environment, and the demand for energy-efficient products is immense. Danfoss has been creating these for the last 75 years.

At a recent conference, Arnulf Grübler, a professor and futurologist at the IMD business school in Switzerland, drew up an outline of development around the world. He talked about the anticipated development of the rapidly growing BRIC economies – Brazil, Russia, India and China. He also discussed the pressure on resources and the related consequences of global warming.

His conclusion was that you cannot predict anything – apart from an increasing focus on the environment and a need for energy-efficiency.

This is already happening. Politicians worldwide are waking up to global warming and the importance of saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The energy-efficient products constantly being developed throughout Danfoss can help.

For example, the Danfoss frequency converters alone (the VLT®s which are used for the control of electro-motors) save 1000 megawatts annually – the same as the output from two large power stations.

Other energy-friendly Danfoss products include:

• Danfoss’ variable speed compressors, which use at least 25% less energy than other compressors.

• Danfoss’ heat pumps use 30% less energy than heating with oil or gas – a strong alternative when energy-saving programmes for new buildings are introduced in Europe.

• Danfoss Silicon Power’s power modules are used to control the servo steering in Ford and Citroën and generate energy savings of 3 to 5%.

• High-Pressure Water Solutions’ machine for water purification transforms one cubic metre of water at one-third of the price of comparable products.

Origins of Danfoss

	Danfoss’ founder Mads Clausen,with his first invention: a thermostatic expansion valve

Danfoss’ founder, Mads Clausen, was experimenting with thermostatic expansion valves on the small island of Als in Denmark in the early 1930s. His findings led to a the creation of a valve which improved utilisation of refrigerant, thereby limiting energy consumption. Today, with the 75th anniversary approaching, energysaving solutions are still key.

For example, a few years ago, market developers in the refrigeration division realised that tougher American SEER requirements, 10-13, would result in a need for more energy savings in air-conditioning systems. Once these requirements came into force, Danfoss was ready with a valve which, on its own, provided one-third of the energy savings demanded by the SEER requirements.

This TR6 valve is a continuation of the original thoughts and ideas that Mads Clausen was experimenting with back then, in his room. This is the ethos Danfoss is holding on to, pre-empting energy needs and developing the best products possible worldwide.

An international effectiveness

Danfoss has played a key role in the introduction of a new guideline for radiator thermostats in new buildings in the Russian capital. In Russia, it is still common to simply open the windows if it gets too hot inside as it is not possible to turn off the heat in most of the flats because of the way district heating is supplied. This leads to a colossal loss of heat. It is estimated that the majority of district heating supply systems lose between 20 and 70% of heat. In China, Danfoss has also worked with the authorities to introduce compulsory radiator thermostats. This includes equipment for the renovation and expansion of the district heating system in Changchun, one of China’s most polluted cities. Eight small coal-fired boilers can now be turned off and the air over the city will be spared 58,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), 321 tonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2), and 58 tonnes of nitrogen dioxide (NOX).

Symposiums bring people together

In the United States, the recent Danfoss campaign, Envisioneering, combined high technology and innovative solutions with energy-efficiency and environmental responsibility. At the heart is a range of symposiums which brings industrial leaders, researchers and politicians together to discuss the issues. 2006 saw three symposiums and a further three are happening throughout 2007.

Over the next 75 years Danfoss will continue on the path outlined in 1933. Energy-efficient solutions are our home ground and the world’s future. We are well placed for this as an international group with more than 21,000 employees and representative offices on all continents.

W: www.danfoss.com