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Campaign Targets Motor Efficiency 
According to the DOE, a more thorough approach to motor management than is being practiced today could save manufacturers 18 percent in energy costs annually. The Motor Decisions Matter campaign delivers information to manufacturers to aid them in making better motor management decisions. “We want corporate and plant managers to realize the financial and performance benefits of sound motor management, which includes proper motor planning, evaluation and analysis, inventory, procurement and repair,” explains Ted Jones, of the Center for Energy Efficiency. “By addressing the motor decision-making process, businesses can more effectively capture energy savings in the motor replacement market, while also taking advantage of the savings potential of proper motor repair, sizing and management.”
The immediate goal of a manufacturer is to quickly restore operations when a motor fails. Unfortunately, many decisions to repair or replace a motor are based on short-term economics. In the long run, the cost of such decisions can be high, as operational costs may increase and equipment
performance may suffer. According to figures on the campaign’s Web site, a recent study reveals that only 19 percent of personnel at U.S. industrial facilities were aware of premium-efficiency motors, and only 11 percent of customers reported having written specifications for motor purchases, with only two-thirds of these customers including efficiency in their specifications.
A key component of the campaign is its Motor Planning Kit, a resource to aid businesses in the development of a motor management plan. Among its many features, are tools that help estimate annual motor operating costs and information about industry-standard practices and guidelines. The planning kit and other information about the campaign can be found at http://www.motorsmatter.org. Sponsors of the Motor Decisions Matter Campaign, besides CDA and the DOE are: Advanced Energy, A.O. Smith, Baldor, Conectiv, Electrical Apparatus Service Association, Emerson Motors, GE Industrial Systems, Leeson, Lincoln Motors, Long Island Power Authority, Marathon Electric, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Grid USA, Northeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, Northeast Utilities, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Reliance Electric, Siemens, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Southern California Edison, Toshiba, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, WEG Electric and Wisconsin Focus on Energy. |
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