Elevator Technology To Support Sustainable Construction
In industrialized societies the construction and operation of buildings swallows up to 30-40 % of primary energy produced and up to 50 % of all natural resources consumed. The commitment by the industrialized countries at the recent Kyoto meeting to reducing so-called greenhouse gas emissions on average by 7 % from 1990 levels by the years 2008-2012 represents a significant challenge for their economies.
Launched in 1996, the KONE EcoDisc* hoisting machine is the most notable contribution by the elevator industry in terms of both the technological and environmental perspectives. Experience to date points to significant potential in increasingly environment-conscious markets worldwide. KONE´s innovative MonoSpace* elevator, which eliminates the need for a separate machine-room, is exclusively powered by the EcoDisc hoisting unit. It contributes effectively to the aim of improved energy, materials and space efficiency in buildings.
The environmental advantages of EcoDisc machines have already been acknowledged by the award of a certificate of honour in the preliminary round of the EU-sponsored European competition on environmental innovation in Finland (EBEAFI). This recognition comes in the wake of a number of other awards, including nomination as the most innovative product of 1997 at the world´s largest construction industry fair, the Batimat in Paris.
In KONE MonoSpace elevator application, the compact disc shape of the EcoDisc machine fits into the hoistway between the wall and the guiderails. In most low-to-mid-rise buildings this configuration eliminates totally the need for a separate elevator machine-rooms, saving up to 25 m3 of space per installation. This represents a reduction of some 14 tons of construction materials and 23,000 kWh of embedded energy to produce these materials.
The synchronous permanent-magnet axial motor of the EcoDisc machine consumes 40-60 % less energy than comparable traditional elevator hoisting units which, depending on the speed, capacity and no. of levels served means typically a saving of 3000 to 15.000kWh per year per elevator. The machines weigh less than 50 % of traditional units, requiring considerably less raw materials and energy in manufacturing. There is only one main moving part rotating at less than 100 RPM instead of 1500 usual in conventional machines, which translates into a particularly long service life. Ecodisc requires no lubricating oil and is easily recycled.