The aim of this thesis is to show how the implementation of variable speed drive compressors improves the performance of the compressed air systems. The production of compressed air is a complex process where electrical energy is converted into the compressed air and heat. Only 5-10 % of the electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy, while the rest is converted into heat. Although the compressed air is a very expensive energy source, it is still used in a wide range of applications. Therefore, the optimization of the air production process is mandatory to increase the efficiency of the system. Such optimization results in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, which is very important from ecological point of view. This thesis describes, analyzes and compares the operation of compressed air systems with different types of compressors. We have shown that the cost of the compressed air can be significantly reduced by implementation of variable speed drive compressors. Such compressors are very efficient, as their working principle allows adjusting the speed of the motor to the demand of air production and consumption. The optimization and analysis was made possible by the CALMS platform, which is a powerful tool for energy optimization of compressed air systems.
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