Engineered Systems - August 2008 - (Page 20)

EfficiencyIncentives BY MARK JEWELL OPPORTUNITIES FOR Motors And Drives With multiple resources and savings tactics, think of this as a pop quiz you get paid to take, with no wrong answers. Nearly two-thirds of the electricity consumed by industrial users in the United States is related to motor-driven equipment — think of all the pumps, fans, air compressors, and other mechanical devices that are used in nearly every type of industrial facility. The DOE’s Industrial Technologies Program estimates that motor-related systems operated by the nation’s most energyintensive industries consume about 290 billion kWh/yr. Moreover, the DOE estimates that industrial motor energy use could be reduced by between 11% and 18% if industrial facilities fully embraced all available efficiency measures. Doing so would provide $3 to $5 billion in annual electricity savings while producing 15 to 26 fewer million metric tons of annual carbon emissions — a win-win for the economy and the environment. The potential for significant motor-related energy savings is certainly not limited to the industrial sector. Believe it or not, there are an estimated one billion electric motors in operation in the U.S. Together, they consume more than half of the nation’s electricity. In the typical commercial building, for example, one can find plenty of opportunities for motor efficiency improvements. Pump, fan, and other motor-related loads represent a major portion of a commercial building’s energy consumption. The motors used in HVAC and refrigeration systems alone can account for 30% or more of a commercial building’s energy use. DIALING UP THE MOTOR SAVINGS Today’s managers have plenty of reasons to redouble their efforts at making their operations more efficient. A weak economy underscores the need to prune operating expenses. The unrelenting ascent of energy prices makes the “utilities” line-item an excellent place to start. And with ENERGY STAR® benchmarking, LEED® certification, and carbon reduction initiatives all gaining traction in the marketplace, more and more managers are looking beyond the “low-hanging fruit” to meet their new and aggressive savings goals. Fortunately, managers interested in improving motor system efficiency have plenty of resources to help them do so, including but not limited to the following: • The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) offers the Premium Motors program, which provides a specification and brand for manufacturers to label highly energy-efficient motors. • The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) manages and coordinates Motor Decisions Matter, a national public awareness campaign that promotes system efficiency by encouraging industrial and commercial customers to evaluate their motor repair and replacement options and to develop a motor management program before motors fail. CEE promotes motors that meet the NEMA Premium Motors criteria, and its website features an abundance of useful resources and links. • The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) division of the DOE has developed the BestPractices Motor Systems Initiative, 20 En gi neer ed S y stem s August 2008 In some situations adding an ASD some situations, adding an ASD is a more sensible solution than more sensible solution than ju t repl cing th just replacing the motor with a la i he otor wit t ith more efficient model. Drives are ffi i t dl i g nerally sugg ted for motor and generally suggested for motor and gges load systems that deliver rated load systems that deliver rated y output less than 40% of the time output less than 40% of the time, or where the average output is where the average output less than 60% less than 60% of the rated output. the rated output which offers publications, software tools, and training specific to motor systems. • And speaking of the federal government, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), which helps federal purchasers make more energy-efficient procurement decisions, also supports the NEMA Premium label and offers additional tips for managers interested in maximizing the efficiency of their motor systems. MAKING MOTOR EFFICIENCY AFFORDABLE Specifying NEMA Premium motors can be particularly cost-effective when annual operation exceeds 2,000 hrs, where utility rates are high, when motor repair costs are a significant fraction of the price of a replacement motor, or where utility incentives are available. Of course, the longer the operating hours or the higher the utility rate, the more likely it is that even a small improvement in motor operating efficiency would produce significant enough energy savings to generate an attractive return on the required incremental investment. DOE’s BestPractices program offers the example of a 75-hp motor running at 75% load for 8,000 hrs/yr at an efficiency of 91%. Over a 10-yr operating period, the purchase price of this motor might represent as little as 2% of the total motor installation and operating costs — the other 98% of the cost is related to energy and maintenance. That reality underscores the importance of not only specifying the right motor for an application, but also devoting resources over its lifetime to motor testing and maintenance. And remember that a NEMA Premium motor may cost as little as 10% to 15% more than a motor that just meets federally mandated guidelines for efficiency, so it’s often the superior choice even in situations where utility incentives are unavailable. Speaking of incentives, more and more utilities are focusing on the impact that motor-related systems have on their grids. Many use motor-related programs as an entry point to discussions of larger system savings. For these and other reasons, the number of programs providing funding to improve the energy performance of motor systems continues to grow. The CEE recently observed that “programs are transitioning away (Continued on page 72.)

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Engineered Systems - August 2008 Contents Editor's Note Back2Basics HVAC Challenge Case In Point Commissioning Building Automation Efficiency Incentives HVACR Designer Tips Glass Box to Grand Casino Looking Radiant In Green Mechanical Products Sourcebook Q&A: Dehumidification In Schools Building Oversight Management: M&V And More Products Classifieds Advertiser Index Tomorrow's Environment

Engineered Systems - August 2008

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