2026-04-13 Products, News, Water and wastewater industry
The demands of wastewater technology are constantly increasing: energy efficiency, system availability, and operational reliability are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, a lack of motor data, complex system structures, and demanding operating conditions make the cost-effective operation of submersible pumps more challenging.
With the new KRIWAN INTdrive - currently still in development with a planned SOP in early 2028 - KRIWAN is developing a variable frequency drive solution specifically tailored to the requirements of submersible pumps in wastewater technology. The initial launch will cover the 11 to 18.5 kW power range and is also planned as a platform for additional power classes and application areas, such as HVAC/R.
Key features of the INTdrive
In practical use, it is often the case that commissioning conventional frequency converters is time-consuming and prone to errors - especially when motor data is missing or incomplete. This is exactly where INTdrive comes in. Intelligent methods enable significantly faster and more robust commissioning - even without complete motor data. For service personnel and commissioning engineers, this means noticeably less effort in parameterization and faster system availability.
Another key focus is improved detection of operating conditions, particularly blockages. In close collaboration with universities, new algorithms are being developed based on the latest research findings. The goal is to identify critical conditions early on and derive optimized responses before failures occur. This reduces downtime and contributes to overall more stable system operation.
The INTdrive also offers clear advantages in terms of energy efficiency. Through the simple integration of pump data and characteristic curves, the pump’s operating point can be specifically optimized. This enables operation closer to optimal efficiency and helps to sustainably reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
Electromagnetic compatibility is an often underestimated but crucial factor in practical applications. The INTdrive is designed with a focus on improved EMC performance to minimize interference and simplify integration into existing systems.
In addition to the standard version, expansions via plug-in modules are planned. Customized variants are also available for customers - here, KRIWAN, as an E²MS service provider, together with Birkholz Elektronische Geräte GmbH, brings the capability to translate requirements into a suitable solution in a structured manner.
The vision behind it
With the INTdrive, KRIWAN is pursuing a clear approach: moving away from a pure drive toward an intelligent, application-optimized system solution for submersible pumps. The combination of simplified commissioning, improved condition monitoring, and efficient control addresses key challenges in the wastewater industry and creates measurable added value in daily operations.
The upcoming test phase marks an important milestone. Development will continue consistently until series production begins in early 2028 - with the goal of providing a practical, high-performance, and future-proof solution for wastewater technology.
