The energy performance of a compressed air system is influenced by a number of factors. These typically include the compressor type (rotary screw, reciprocating or centrifugal) and its capacity. The performance also depends on the air intake location (indoor vs. outdoor), the pressure required in the compressed air system, the capacity control strategy (i.e. on/off, inlet throttle, load/unload, turn valve, throttle/low unload, turn valve/low unload, variable speed), the useful capacity of compressed air, the average air leakage, the number of hours that the motor-compressor system is operating and the number of hours that compressed air is being used. Other factors also include the motor efficiency at full load, which depends on the type of motor (i.e. standard efficiency, energy efficient or premium efficiency) and the motor capacity. Refer to the Compressed Air System Schematic and Compressed Air System Efficiency Schematic for more information.

Software & Data
The RETScreen Software Compressed Air Model can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy use and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for compressed air energy efficiency measures. The software can model a wide variety of projects ranging from system pressure reduction on dental, medical or pharmaceutical compressors, to fixing leaks in compressor systems for building construction pneumatic tools, to improved compressed air system designs including operation time reduction, variable speed control strategy, supply pressure reduction and correctly sized compressors and motors in foundries, manufacturing plants, breweries, laboratories and military, aerospace, automotive and robotic applications. The model also calculates the cross-effects of other energy efficiency measures employed in the facility (e.g. heating and cooling impact of installing premium efficiency motors). The software (available in multiple languages) also includes product, project and climate databases, and a detailed user manual.

Click here to download RETScreen 4 (48 MB).

Training material
Compressors and Compressed Air Systems - UNEP - Slides (2.12 MB)
Compressors and Compressed Air Systems - UNEP - Speaker's notes (31 KB)
Compressors and Compressed Air Systems - UNEP - Workshop exercise(26KB)
Compressors and Compressed Air Systems - UNEP - Quiz (21 KB)

e-Textbook / Guides
Compressors and Compressed Air Systems - UNEP - Guide (841 KB)
Compressors and Turbines - Guide (4.52 MB)
Energy-Efficient Motor Systems Assessment Guide (4.77 MB)
Water and Compressed Air Systems - Guide (2.96 MB)
Premium-Efficiency Motors - Technical fact sheet (195 KB)

Case studies / Templates
Energy efficiency measures - Industrial - Compressed air
Energy efficiency measures - Industrial - Compressed air - Optimization / USA
Energy efficiency measures - Industrial - Manufacturing - Plastic

____________________________________________________________________________

To access the Portable Document Format (PDF) version you must have a PDF reader installed. If you do not already have such a reader, there are numerous PDF readers available for free download or for purchase on the Internet:

• Adobe Reader
• Foxit Reader
• Xpdf
• eXPert PDF Reader