TTPi technology at the heart of smart motor that will power the push for Net Zero

Researchers at the University of Nottingham and one of its leading spinouts, The Thinking Pod innovations (TTPi), have partnered with VIDAR, an ITT company, to develop groundbreaking technology at the heart of an intelligent electric motor, which will revolutionize the energy efficiency of industrial processes in harsh environments.

VIDAR, a smart motor launched last week in the United States, can adjust its speed in response to changing workload, lowering energy usage and CO2 emissions.

The first of its kind, the smart motor is purpose built for harsh industrial environments. It will drive pumps and fans in industrial settings, such as food and drink processing, energy production, water purification and chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, among others.

In installations at industrial facilities, the smart motor has lowered energy usage by half, reduced costs and increased the lifespan of rotating equipment (case studies are available).

Dr Liliana de Lillo and Professor Lee Empringham, from the University of Nottingham Power Electronics and Machines Group, embarked on a multi-year partnership with ITT to co-develop the VIDAR power converter technology. More recently, the work has continued with the university spin out TTPi, which Prof Empringham and Dr de Lillo co-founded with others in 2017.

Prof Empringham said: “The world is turning to electricity as a source of sustainable energy to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions, which is vital for the future of our planet. The discussions and debates often focus on renewable sources of that energy, which is massively important, but there is another side to that coin and that is to use the energy we generate more efficiently.

“Compact smart motors and the technology that makes them work are a huge step on the road to Net Zero,” added Dr de Lillo. “They can revolutionize industrial processes, so they not only become more efficient, but also to ensure they use less of the world’s precious resources. Through the development and launch of VIDAR we have shown this can be done. It is a game-changer.”

Approximately 85% of industrial pumps and fans rely on outdated fixed speed motors and mechanical controls, which often run at full speed constantly, resulting in excess energy usage and low reliability.

Solutions on the market have included variable frequency drives (VFDs), which require costly installation and are space prohibitive in severe, cramped industrial settings.

VFDs must be installed in clean, temperature-controlled rooms to protect their sensitive electronics. A plant with hundreds or thousands of pumps and fans would require significant extra space or new electrical buildings for VFDs.

As a result, many industrial companies have been deterred from using them.

However, VIDAR and the Nottingham team have developed a solution that integrates power converters with the motor and control systems. It uses novel power conversion technology, co-developed by VIDAR and the University of Nottingham, with advanced controls supported by TTPi.

Years of collaboration, in which prototypes were iterated and refined through rigorous testing, have prepared the VIDAR motor for real-world applications and the smart motor is compact enough to be embedded in a standard motor housing envelope.

The result is an industrial motor with advanced variable frequency technology in a package that is 60% smaller than current market offerings. The precise motor speed control ensures the rotating equipment is running at desired flow rates, reducing energy and maintenance costs and equipment downtime.

VIDAR’s advanced engineering enables it to replace an existing conventional motor as a ‘drop-in’ replacement, eliminating the need for special wiring, expensive VFDs or additional clean room enclosures.

The performance of VIDAR’s new smart motor was evaluated and assessed through thousands of hours of testing in a variety of harsh industrial environments. In one example, replacing a single fixed-speed motor on an industrial pump with VIDAR decreased power consumption by 52%.

“VIDAR’s innovative design unlocks energy and cost savings potential by addressing common barriers to efficiency and reliability that have impacted the industry in the past,” said Dan Kernan, Vice President and General Manager, VIDAR. “VIDAR makes the  advantage of adjustable speed over fixed speed motors available to more customers of

pumps, fans, and fluid process systems through a simplified, combined solution that’s easy to install and simple to operate.”

The first shipments of VIDAR are expected to occur in Q3 2025, and the company expects shipments to increase considerably beginning in 2026.

For more information and to arrange an interview with Dr de Lillo or Professor Lee Empringham please email charles.walker@ttpi.tech or faith.Pring@nottingham.ac.uk

About VIDAR

VIDAR is an innovative leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced energy-efficient motors for industrial fluid delivery systems. Specializing in the integration of variable-speed intelligence directly into motor technology, VIDAR provides sustainable solutions that significantly reduce energy consumption and operational costs. Committed to transforming industrial performance, VIDAR motors offer enhanced efficiency, reliability, and space-saving design. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, VIDAR currently serves industries across North America and is actively expanding its platform to drive energy savings and advance environmental sustainability on a global scale. For more information about VIDAR, please visit www.vidarmotors.com.

About ITT 

ITT is a diversified leading manufacturer of highly engineered critical components and customized technology solutions for the transportation, industrial, and energy markets. Building on its heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver enduring solutions to the key industries that underpin our modern way of life. ITT is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with employees in more than 35 countries and sales in approximately 125 countries. For more information, visit www.itt.com.