Variable frequency drives on 50M US motors could free gigawatts of grid power

Analysts and manufacturers are urging wider adoption of variable frequency drives (VFDs) on electric motors in industry and buildings. Only 16% of industrial and 4% of commercial motor systems use VFDs today, though the technology cuts motor energy use by 40–60%.

• 50 million US electric motors consume nearly a third of the country's electricity
• VFDs are installed on 16% of industrial and 4% of commercial motor systems
• The drives cut a motor's energy use by 40–60%
• Toyota saved over $700,000 a year on a $1.25 million pilot