Aiming at solving the problem of high energy consumption in the rated belt speed operation of a belt conveyor system when the material flow rate is reduced, the power consumption of the frequency converter, motor, and belt conveyor is analyzed, a power consumption model of the belt conveyor system is established, the relationship between the power consumption of the belt conveyor system and belt speed is obtained, and a energy-saving control strategy of the belt conveyor with variable belt speed based on the material flow rate is put forward. The energy consumption of the belt conveyor is analyzed for a practical case. Results show that the power consumption model is accurate and the control strategy effectively reduces energy consumption. ...