ComVac shows that variable speed compressors and higher-level control systems can drastically reduce electricity costs.

"Variable-speed compressors and intelligent higher-level control systems can really help companies cut their electricity bills," explains Reimund Scherff, Manager Oil-free Air, Atlas Copco Kompressoren und Drucklufttechnik in Essen. "The extra investment costs – if indeed there are any – usually pay for themselves within one or two years." According to Scherff, reductions in energy requirements of 30 to 40 percent are not uncommon. "We're also noticing a steady improvement in overall plant energy management practices among our customers. That's no doubt being driven in part by the legislative framework, which makes subsidies conditional on specific efficiency measures," says Scherff.

How can efficiency increase my compressed air supply and at the same time improve carbon emissions? This is one of the questions that is answered at ComVac 2015. At the leading international trade fair for compressed air and vacuum technology, market leaders such as Kaeser, Atlas Copco, Boge, Almig, Dalgakiran Makina, Fini Nuair, Ingersoll Rand and Gardner Denver will present system solutions which in part can drastically lower energy consumption.

"Visitors to the ComVac show in Hall 26 will discover compressed air and vacuum technologies in all their many facets. That's everything from systems for generating, treating and distributing compressed and vacuum air, to applications for using it in production plants and machinery, right through to contracting and service offers," says Marc Siemering, Senior Vice-President of HANNOVER MESSE, Deutsche Messe AG. "ComVac is the world's leading trade fair for compressed air and vacuum technology as is therefore an absolute must for industrial users seeking the best the market has to offer in terms of cost, quality and system availability."

According to Matthias Eichler, Marketing Manager of Bielefeld-based BOGE Kompressoren, energy efficiency is universally accepted in the industry. Decisions are now based on life-cycle cost evaluations and full advantage is being taken of government subsidies.

Contracting is a relatively new trend but one its providers believe has considerable potential for growth. Under this model, customers don't generate compressed air with their own compressors but purchase it at a fixed price from a contractor. An advantage of this model, where the contractor sets up the compressors at the company, is its cost transparency. Service and maintenance are part of the contract. In addition, the compressor manufacturer or provider keeps the technology up to date and can scale the compressed air supply up or down according to need.