Increasing the adoption of adjustable speed drives (ASDs) is a big savings opportunity for efficiency programs. It is not uncommon for motor-driven equipment to operate at full speed even when the loads they serve are less than their capacity. By enabling motors to reduce speed to match the load, adjustable speed drives can achieve significant energy savings–as high as 50 percent in some applications–and increase productivity through better control. CEE Motors & Motor Systems Committee is exploring how greater consistency among member ASD programs could accelerate market adoption of this technology.
According to CEE 2009 Summary of Efficiency Programs for Motors & Motor Systems, approximately 42 member programs offer incentives for adjustable speed drives. While the majority of these programs specifically target HVAC applications, several members have expanded their focus to more broadly include pump, fan, and compressed air applications. The Committee sees these non-HVAC, variable speed applications as an opportunity ripe for energy savings, particularly through a common program strategy.
CEE Motors & Motor Systems Committee is looking to identify an approach that increases customer adoption of drive technology while being mindful of the complex nature of motor systems. For instance, the energy savings achieved by adding a drive to a pump application is influenced by other system characteristics, such as static head, friction losses, operating hours, and other controls in the system.
At the June CEE meeting, the Motors & Motor Systems Committee began to define a framework of questions and areas for further exploration, including:
- Identifying the components comprising a motor-drive package (e.g. sensors, controls, motors) and how, if it all, these components influence drive performance and system efficiency.
- Developing resources that define the industries, applications and conditions in which drives are ideally suited and currently underused, such as pump applications in cooling towers. These are typically found in industries such as oil refineries or chemical plants.
On October 1, at the CEE Industry Partners meeting, the Committee will work with industry partners, including manufacturers and other experts, to address these questions, learn from each other’s experiences, and identify approaches that industry and program administrators might jointly pursue. For questions about this session, or the Motors & Motor Systems Committee, contact Kellem Emanuele. |
