CEE's Commercial and Industrial Transformers Initiative, launched in 1997, promotes the manufacture and sales of high-efficiency transformers.

Partnering with the ENERGY STAR® Transformers Program, CEE and initiative sponsors are promoting high-efficiency performance guidelines for low voltage, distribution transformers. CEE and ENERGY STAR have adopted the National Electrical Manufacturers' Association (NEMA) voluntary standard TP-1 for energy-efficient low-voltage transformers. Products meeting the NEMA standard reduce transformer losses by about 50 percent, yielding simple paybacks in 1-3 years.

CEE's role in this initiative is that of organizer, facilitator and information clearinghouse. CEE's partners, including members of CEE and other organizations, implement the initiative. These implementers include electric utilities and statewide or regional efficiency organizations, which may be utility-based. Initiative participants adopt CEE's efficiency specifications for low-voltage equipment and undertake efforts to build awareness of efficient transformers.

Availability of qualifying products has increased dramatically since 1997 thanks to the support of member programs and ENERGY STAR. In addition, a number of states have adopted these products into their statewide codes and standards, including California, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts and Minnesota.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Codes and Standards Office is currently conducting two rulemakings for Distribution Transformers: an energy conservation standard and a test procedure. At the end of 2004, DOE published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) for the Energy Conservation Standard Rulemaking. It is also proposing to adopt standard test procedures.

A final NOPR is expected sometime in 2005 for both. A three-year phase-in period is expected after a final rule is issued sometime in 2005. In 2005, CEE’s Transformers Committee will begin to review the DOE data in order to assess whether or not its Distribution Transformes Initiative needs to be revised.

Click here for further information about this rulemaking process.

CONTACT
For more information about CEE's Commercial and Industrial Transformers Initiative, contact Ted Jones at 617-589-3949, ext. 230.