"Long overdue" motor efficiency standards to become law
April 1st 2009

A set of mandatory standards for motor efficiency are to be formally adopted by the European Comission this June.About time too, says ABB's Steve Ruddell, though he's not convinced the new standards go far enough.Georgina Bisby reports

In March of this year, the EU voted unanimously for the introduction of mandatory efficiency standards for industrial motors.Details are to be finalised by June and the first phase to become compulsory by 2011 when IEC 60034-30 will become mandatory.

"This legislation is long overdue in Europe,"says Steve Ruddell general manager for drives and motors at ABB and the company's energy spokesperson."Our politicians would have us believe that we are leading on energy efficiency and climate change but we are the last to adopt mandatory standards; efficiency standards are already law in North America, South Asia has had mandatory standards for some time and China and India are legislating in 2010." Given the potential savings that switching to efficient motors can provide, Europe's dawdling on the issue should not be easily forgiven.

The IEA estimates that motor systems account for half to two thirds of industrial electricity use, or 25-40% of global electricity use.

"Apart from the adoption of Carbon Capture Technology, switching to more efficient motor systems is the greatest carbon saving opportunity we have," explains Ruddell. To put it another way a statement from the European Commission has suggested making more efficient motors compulsory could lead to savings equal to the annual electricity consumption of Sweden.

The standards From June 2011 all motors must meet the new IE2 standard. Phase 2 will take effect from 1st January 2015 when motors with a rated output between 7.5 and 375kW must meet IE3 if single speed or IE2 if used with a variable speed drive. From 1st January 2017 phase 3 will come into effect when motors with a rated output between 0.75 and 375kW must meet IE3 if single speed or IE2 if used with a variable speed drive.

Could have done better While Ruddell says ABB welcomes the proposed new legislation he adds they are not entirely satisfied.

"Why stop at 375 kW?" asks Ruddell.

"All motor powers should have been included." Ruddell is also critical of the exclusion of Atex motors. "We accept the Exe exception but we would like to have seen the inclusion of explosion proofed motors." explains Ruddel. ABB estimates that these equate to approximately 10% of total motor population.

Ruddell also expresses concerns over what will happen with motor rewinds once the new legislation takes force, suggesting:"We would like to see that motors that do not meet the appropriate efficiency class should not be allowed to be rewound and should be scrapped."

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