U.S. continues their leading role in motor efficiency

Proposal to raise minimum efficiency level

While Europe keeps on discussing how motor efficiency should be monitored, the U.S. is about to take yet another step further in their motor efficiency programme.

Under the driving force of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the U.S. has succeeded in significantly transforming their motor marketplace over the past 20 years. In 1992, the Energy Policy Act (EPACT-92) set a minimum efficiency performance standard (MEPS) for certain types of motors. This was followed by the NEMA Premium voluntary labelling programme to encourage companies that want go further than the obligatory standard.

Last month, ACEEE, NEMA, and two utility companies proposed a plan to Congressional leaders to increase the existing MEPS-values and to expand the MEPS coverage to many other types of motors.

They calculated that such a strict standard would save 9,781 GWh per year, reduce peak demand by 1,341 MW and reduce CO₂ emissions by 2 million metric tons.

ACEEE emphasised that the job would not be finished if this new standard is approved. Motor efficiency programmes must also ensure that correctly-sized motor systems are installed and optimised to meet the required load.