# Launceston Aquatic Centre unlocks more than AUD $77,000 in annual savings with ABB motor and drive technologies.

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/launceston-aquatic-centre-unlocks-more-than-aud-77000-in-annual-savings-with-abb-motor-and-drive-technologies
- Published: 2026-11-06T09:03:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The City of Launceston’s [Leisure and Aquatic Centre](https://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lac/Home)
in Tasmania, Australia, continues to demonstrate how upgrading infrastructure with
modern motor and drive technologies can deliver significant energy efficiency, operational
improvements, and financial benefits.

They engaged [Enginuity Power Solutions](https://enginuityps.com.au/) to help optimise
pool circulation pumping operations at its Aquatic Centre (LAC), an important community
asset for the City of Launceston as part of a program jointly funded by the City
of Launceston and the Australian Government.

City of Launceston received grant funding through Round 1 of the Community Energy
Upgrades Fund, to facilitate the project.

[⌊(L-R) Christopher Probst, Product Manager, Drives Products at ABB Australia, and
Tom Green, Managing Director at Enginuity Power Solutions, at the Launceston Leisure
and Aquatic Centre⌉⌊(L-R) Christopher Probst, Product Manager, Drives Products at
ABB Australia, and Tom Green, Managing Director at Enginuity Power Solutions, at
the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre⌉[
(L-R) Christopher Probst, Product Manager,
Drives Products at ABB Australia, and Tom Green, Managing Director at Enginuity 
Power Solutions, at the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre

LAC offers state-of-the-art facilities including heated indoor and outdoor swimming
pools, water safety education, recreation, fitness, preventative health, sport and
social connection for all abilities, and sees more than 470,000 visitors annually.

In a collaborative project involving Enginuity Power Solutions, ABB Authorized Value
Provider [A1 Electric Motors](https://a1electricmotors.com.au/), and ABB Australia,
the facility has installed twelve ultra-premium IE5 [synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motors](https://www.abb.com/global/en/areas/motion/motors-generators/low-voltage-motors/iec-low-voltage-motors/synchronous-reluctance-motors),
four [EC Titanium motors](https://www.abb.com/global/en/areas/motion/motors-generators/low-voltage-motors/ec-motors/integrated-motor-drive/ec-titanium-integrated-motor-drive),
and sixteen [ACH580 variable speed drives](https://www.abb.com/global/en/areas/motion/drives/low-voltage-ac-drives/hvacr-drives/ach580?utm_source=Australian+article+&utm_medium=website+and+LinkedIn+&utm_id=Launceston+Aquatic+Centre+Australia)(
VSDs), as part of the City of Launceston’s Community Energy Upgrade Fund Launceston
Aquatic Centre Efficient Electrification Project.

The upgrades address operational inefficiencies observed in prior pump motor and
drive infrastructure while facilitating equipment performance improvements and guaranteed
reliability in the facility’s demanding plantroom environment. This was an important
consideration in selecting the right technologies for the infrastructure upgrade,
as they would be continually exposed to harsh elements like moisture, heat, and 
chemicals.

Enginuity Power Solutions conducted a comprehensive lifecycle and design assessment
which uncovered that several pumps had already reached the end of their operational
lifespan, as displayed in extensive material erosion on the impellers. Visible signs
of corrosion impacting pump housings and critical seal seating surfaces were also
noticed.

"When we saw this deterioration, we instantly knew the Centre’s pump performance
was being compromised. That has a trickle-down effect and impacts operational efficiency,
contributing to increased energy consumption and higher operating costs," said Tom
Green, Managing Director at Enginuity Power Solutions.  

The upgrade to modern motor and drive technology and the overall system redesign
is reported to deliver 400 MWh in energy savings and 100 tonnes in avoided carbon
emissions.

"That amount of energy saved is equivalent to powering 57 Australian homes every
single year", said Tom.

"When translated into measurable financial benefits, our assessment revealed that
the City of Launceston had an untapped opportunity to unlock potential annual operational
cost savings of up to AUD $77,120."

The synchronous reluctance motors selected for this upgrade combine the performance
of a permanent-magnet motor with their high torque and reliability, with the simplicity
and service-friendliness of an induction motor which reduces downtime and enables
long-term operational cost efficiency. When paired with an ABB VSD, they provide
an integrated, energy-efficient motor-and-drive solution that is backed by ABB expertise
and support.

"Original modelling showed a saving of 179 megawatts of energy, and 29-tonne reduction
in CO2 across all pumps annually, but initial results after installation show that
the reality will be a much larger amount," a statement from the City of Launceston
said. 

Since installation, Council confirmed observed improvements already include:

 ◦ An average noise reduction of 7.8 dB across pumps
 ◦ A reduction of approx. 401,340kWh annually
 ◦ A reduction of amp draw of approx. 50%

"This project has delivered significant operational savings, which can be used to
put back into other areas of the centre to help maintain the asset and provide modern
aquatic facilities for Launceston and the broader community," the City of Launceston
statement continued.

Tom explained that what makes these results especially noteworthy is Tasmania’s 
relatively low electricity emissions intensity, at around 230 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-
hour. Alternatively, if comparable energy efficiency improvements were achieved 
at a facility in Victoria where the electricity grid is more carbon-intensive, Tom
says the potential for emissions reduction could actually be around three times 
greater.

"That would equate to approximately 300 tonnes of avoided carbon emissions per year.
This demonstrates the enormous potential to generate meaningful emissions reductions
across Australia using already available high-efficiency technologies," said Tom.

When asked to share what key factors were behind the Launceston Aquatic Centre project’s
successful outcome, Christopher Probst, Product Manager for ABB Australia’s Drive
Products Division, commented, "Projects like this exemplify that meaningful energy
efficiency outcomes surpass simply installing new equipment. It starts with enlisting
a consultant that truly understands how the system operates, is able to identify
opportunities for improvement, and bridges the right partners to achieve the best
result."

Central to understanding how technologies like VSDs can assist operators to reduce
energy consumption and support their sustainability goals is recognising that they
can already achieve this by upgrading existing infrastructure rather than designing
a new system and acquiring completely new assets.

VSDs are one of the most effective solutions for improving the efficiency of pumps
and fans, and depending on the application, they can reduce energy consumption by
up to 40%, thereby lowering operating costs. A VSD saves energy by allowing a motor
to match its speed and power consumption to the actual load, rather than running
continuously at full speed.

"This matters because more than 45% of the world’s electricity is used by electric
motors, yet only about 23% of motors in the world are equipped with a VSD. That 
means there’s still a huge opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of motors
worldwide," shared Christopher.

The outcomes of this project highlight the pivotal role energy-efficient technologies
can play in helping Australian councils and aquatic centre operators nationwide 
progress towards their sustainability objectives.  By combining innovation with 
collaboration, this partnership continues to empower councils, businesses, and industries
to turn today’s losses into tomorrow’s efficiency gains with measurable results 
that will tangibly contribute to a more sustainable future for Australia.

**About ABB**
**ABB** (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company
that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive,
sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation
and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance
to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years,
ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

**ABB Drives **is a global technology leader serving industries, infrastructure 
and machine builders with world-class variable speed drives, drive systems and packages.
We help our customers, partners and equipment manufacturers to improve energy efficiency,
asset reliability, productivity, safety and performance.

**Links:**

 ◦ [Watch the video to discover the story behind the project](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dZBsNQ_9WM)
 ◦ [Learn more about ABB Drives](https://www.abb.com/global/en/areas/motion/drives/low-voltage-ac-drives/hvacr-drives/ach580?utm_source=Australian+article+&utm_medium=website+and+LinkedIn+&utm_id=Launceston+Aquatic+Centre+Australia)

 

 [⌊Tom Green, Managing Director at Enginuity Power Solutions inspects the installed ABB ACH580 variable speed drives together with team member Kurt Hipkin, Project Manager at Enginuity Power Solutions.⌉](https://mmx.prnasia.com/media/MS2027985/20261105013633EST_image_2.jpg?id=OA3060048&p=medium600)

Tom Green, Managing Director at Enginuity Power Solutions inspects the installed
ABB ACH580 variable speed drives together with team member Kurt Hipkin, Project 
Manager at Enginuity Power Solutions.

 [⌊Product and engineering team members from ABB Australia and Enginuity Power Solutions assess the installed ABB technology in the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre plant room – ACH580 drives, IE5 synchronous reluctance motors, and EC Titanium motors, for operational efficiency.⌉](https://mmx.prnasia.com/media/MS2027986/20261105013633EST_image_3.jpg?id=OA3060049&p=medium600)

Product and engineering team members from ABB Australia and Enginuity Power Solutions
assess the installed ABB technology in the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre
plant room – ACH580 drives, IE5 synchronous reluctance motors, and EC Titanium motors,
for operational efficiency.

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**Read the original article :** [Launceston Aquatic Centre unlocks more than AUD $77,000 in annual savings with ABB motor and drive technologies. ](https://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/5089977_AE89977_0?rand=184833)