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National Electrical Manufacturers Association Announces Energy Efficient Motor Program

11 October 2000

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Announces Energy Efficient Motor Program

    ROSSLYN, Va., Oct. 11 The Motor and Generator Section of
the National Electrical Manufacturers Association today announced it will
establish a Premium Motor energy efficiency program.
    Traditionally, there has been no industry consensus specification defining
high efficiency or premium efficiency motors.  Recent power supply issues and
utility deregulation have brought attention to the need to help motor users
optimize motor systems efficiency.  The Energy Policy Act of 1992 imposed
energy efficiency standards on many classes of motors.  Since then, many users
and motor repair shops have become confused over the lack of consistency in
terms describing integral motor premium efficiency performance.
    By agreeing on a North American Premium Motor program, NEMA motor
manufacturers expect this confusion to be greatly reduced.  They anticipate
demand for NEMA premium efficient motors will one day exceed demand for the
current energy efficient product required by the Energy Policy Act.  Integral
horsepower motors became an efficiency-regulated product under the act;
minimum efficiency levels known as energy efficient were established for 1
horsepower to 200 horsepower, general purpose motors.  The Premium Motor
program will go beyond the EPAct program to include motors up to 450
horsepower.
    Experts believe NEMA Premium Motors will be specified by utility motor
programs as replacements for older, failed motors because of an accompanying
reduction in electrical energy consumption and improved reliability.
    Praising the proposed program, NEMA President Malcolm O'Hagan said, "A
NEMA Premium Motor should be a welcome addition to the marketplace, setting a
clear, voluntary energy efficiency specification for the industry, one that
will be good for consumers, manufacturers, and the environment."
    NEMA members are determined to provide the most innovative and efficient
motor products possible, according to Boteler.  "In fact, we have elected to
broaden the new NEMA Premium program to include motors outside the range now
regulated by the federal government."
    Using Department of Energy industrial motor research data, Boteler
estimates that the NEMA Premium Motor program, including commercial and
agricultural applications, would save 5.8 gigawatts of electricity and prevent
the release of nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere
over the next ten years.  "It would be the equivalent of keeping 16 million
cars off the road in the next decade," he says.
    Member companies in the NEMA Motor and Generator Section include Emerson
Electric, General Electric Company, Marathon/Lincoln, Siemens Energy and
Automation, Toshiba International, Rockwell Automation, Sterling Electric, WEG
Electric, Leeson Electric, Brook Crompton NA, ElectraGear, Ametek, Howell,
Imperial Electric, Peerless Winsmith, SEW-Eurodrive, and Onan Corporation.

    NEMA is the leading trade association in the United States representing
the interests of electroindustry manufacturers.  Founded in 1926 and
headquartered near Washington, D.C., its 500 member companies manufacture
products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and
end-use of electricity.  Annual shipments of these products total $100
billion.