Carlo Gavazzi Ltd – shortlisted for the Most Innovative Business Enterprises Award (annual turnover more than €10 million)
Carlo Gavazzi, the international group which provides technologically innovative electronics for industrial automation and information processing, is again ahead of the league with a solution which can reduce compressor inrush currents by up to 65 per cent, reducing costs, energy consumption and environmental impact.
The solution, a three-phase scroll compressor soft starter mainly used in heat pump applications, called RSBT, was the brainchild of Carlo Gavazzi’s research and development department in response to various European Commission directives and policy targets proposed by EU governments to reach a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions, 20 per cent primary energy savings, and a 20 per cent use of renewable energy resources by 2020.
“These targets have prompted the need for more efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems of which heat pumps for the domestic markets are a major share,” said Ing Charles Brincat, general manager at Carlo Gavazzi Ltd.
“Central to heat pump systems is the scroll compressor which has the task of transporting heat. These compressors usually have a high inrush current which leads to light flickering, voltage disturbances and higher energy tariffs.”
The RSBT is the most compact three-phase 15kw scroll compressor soft-starting solution which achieves an inrush current reduction of up to 65 per cent, reducing the energy tariff bills and eliminating other undesirable effects. All this can be achieved through a unique and innovative auto-adaptive algorithm (patent pending) which has been specifically designed to satisfy customer needs in view of the existing regulations in Europe for starting currents in both the residential and industrial sectors.
The RSBT has opened new business opportunities for Carlo Gavazzi Malta with new customers and new applications. The success of this application has already led to the development of new accessories that further enhance the product’s functional capabilities.
“Through the development of this green technology, we are on our way to becoming a key contributor in achieving the CO2 reduction targets that have to be reached by 2020,” said Ing Brincat. “With more and more clients realising that being on the green list has a positive impact on their ability to win business, our automatic direction as suppliers of solutions was to listen and act on this environmental conscience and turn it into a commercial advantage.”
The three nominees for each of the four categories to participate in the final awards night on November 26 were selected by an independent judging panel made up of two senior officials from KPMG, Notary Clyde La Rosa and appointed officials from HSBC Bank Malta plc and Vodafone Malta plc.
HSBC-Vodafone Export and Innovation Awards
Earlier this year, HSBC and Vodafone Malta embarked on a joint initiative to reward Maltese businesses for their export and innovation talent. Three have been shortlisted in each of the four categories: Most Improved SME Exporter (annual turnover less than €10m); Most Improved Corporate Exporter (annual turnover more than €10m); Most Innovative SME Business (annual turnover less than €10m); and Most Innovative Corporate Business (annual turnover more than €10m). Winners in each category will be awarded at a gala ceremony on November 26. The Times Business is carrying highlights from each of the selected companies’ formula for success.