The kinetic energy of electric drives can be a valuable while it is slowing. The energy can be recovered back to mains supply thus proving as energy saving.
Regenerative loads are becoming more common due to increased usage of high efficiency AC-drives and servo drives..
These same inverters and servo controllers offer the possibility of converting the kinetic energy of the mechanical system into stored energy in the DC ciruit. Normally this excess energy is dissipated in a breaking resistor as heat. However, in combination with regenerative unit, it is possible to feed back the energy into the main line power supply.
This is particularly useful in all applications where prolonged or continuous downward motion occurs or heat dissipation to the surrounding environment is not allowed .