Pumps: The hidden champions of energy efficiency and sustainability
Luboš Michlík, the President of Europump, the European Association of Pump Manufacturers, which represents 15 national associations in 12 EU member states, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK, highlights the vital role of pumps in powering the drive for a sustainable future.
As the global push for improved energy efficiency and sustainability intensifies across manufacturing, commerce, transportation, housing, and public services, pumps remain the unsung heroes at the heart of these transformations. Europump, the European Pump Association, shines a spotlight on the critical yet often overlooked role that pumps play in shaping a more sustainable, energy-efficient world.
Pumps are essential in nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from powering industrial processes and climate control in buildings to enabling clean water and sanitation systems. In this era of climate change and environmental responsibility, their significance in achieving Europe’s sustainability goals cannot be overstated.
Energy efficiency in manufacturing
Pumps are quietly driving progress in the manufacturing sector, where energy efficiency is a growing imperative. They facilitate vital processes such as cooling, heating, fluid transport, and circulation, all while consuming a sizeable portion of industrial energy. Yet, innovations in pump technology are helping industries cut down energy usage, reduce operational costs, and minimise their carbon footprint.
Industrial pumps represent a key opportunity for energy savings, given that they account for up to 20% of global electricity consumption. By embracing more efficient pump systems, manufacturers can drastically reduce energy consumption, making a major contribution to global sustainability efforts.
Sustainable cities and infrastructure
In the built environment, pumps are integral to efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, water distribution, fire safety, and waste management. As smart cities and green buildings become the blueprint for future urban development, pumps are pivotal in enabling the technologies that make modern infrastructure energy-efficient and sustainable.
Smart, energy-efficient pump systems are not just improving performance in individual buildings but are transforming how we manage water, heating, and cooling across entire cities. They are key enablers in the transition to sustainable urban living.
Powering cleaner, greener mobility
Pumps are critical in the transportation sector, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs) and public transit systems. They support battery and motor cooling in EVs, enable more efficient fuel use in conventional transport, and ensure safe operation in air, rail, and marine travel. In public services such as water treatment and power generation, pumps keep essential services running efficiently and sustainably.
From electric vehicles to wastewater management, pumps ensure that transportation and public services meet modern efficiency and environmental standards. Their role in enabling cleaner mobility and smarter services is vital to achieving Europe’s sustainability targets.
Innovation in renewable energy
Pumps are also key players in the renewable energy revolution. Whether through circulating fluids in geothermal systems, powering hydraulic mechanisms in wind turbines, or managing cooling in solar power plants, pumps are crucial to the smooth operation and efficiency of renewable energy technologies.
The future of clean energy depends on the efficiency of every component, and pumps are no exception. They are essential to scaling up renewable energy solutions and achieving Europe’s net-zero carbon targets.
A hidden hero
Beyond industry and public services, pumps impact our daily lives in more personal ways. Every time we turn on the tap for fresh water, adjust the thermostat, or rely on modern appliances, pumps are working behind the scenes to make these conveniences possible. In residential homes, pumps ensure efficient water delivery, heating, and cooling – keeping households comfortable, safe, and sustainable.
Pumps are an often unseen yet essential part of daily life, from individual homes to massive industrial plants. They are indispensable to modern living and key to the sustainable, energy-efficient world we are working to build.
Towards a greener future
Europump and its members are at the forefront of promoting high-efficiency pump technologies and advocating for policies that support sustainability and innovation. Through collaboration with industries, regulators, and other stakeholders, Europump is committed to driving the adoption of innovative solutions that reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.
Ecopump is our association’s flagship project, embodying the organisation’s commitment to energy reduction. In 2004, the Europump Council endorsed the Ecopump initiative as the cornerstone of the energy and environmental policy of the European pump sector. The Europump website now has a dashboard that provides a real-time illustration of the energy savings being made.
Since 2016, these endeavours have resulted in the saving of 233 million MWh of electricity and a reduction of 163 million tons of CO2 emissions. Additionally, the incorporation of the Extended Product Approach into the upcoming revision of EU Regulation 547/2012 for water pumps could unlock a further 35 TWh in energy savings.
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, pumps – often the unseen workhorses – must be recognised for their potential to deliver significant energy savings and environmental benefits. Together, we can ensure that pumps continue to be a driving force behind the green transition in every sector.
