Australian-led developments in electric motor energy efficiency testing

Panel: 5. The role of energy management systems, education, outreach and training

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Hugh Falkner, Innovate UK, United Kingdom
Kevin Lane, Kevin Lane (Oxford), United Kingdom
Bonn Maguire, Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Australia
Andrew Baghurst, Caltest, Australia

Abstract

Australia has been regulating the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) of electric motors since 2001 (MEPS1). The stringency of these levels was increased in 2006 (MEPS2). It is mandatory that, prior to their sale, all three phase electric motors from 0.75kW to 185kW must be registered and meet the MEPS2 requirements specified by the Standard AS/NZS 1359.5:2004.

In the last 3 years the Australian Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program has tested more than 100 motors as part of its compliance activities. This paper will provide some detail on Australia’s experience with compliance testing and provide data and analysis on the test results.

Other initiatives that Australia has been driving at the international level will also be discussed. These include analysing test results from an international project on harmonisation and development of an international testing centres network as well as outcomes of their meetings.

Lessons learned from the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) Building and Appliances Task Force (BATF) project on ‘Harmonisation of Test Methods’ will be presented. The paper will discuss the comparative analysis of results from testing 27 motors, in China, to four different test methods as described in the international test method standard, IEC 60034-2-1:2007.

The paper will also discuss Australia’s experience as Task Leader of the International Energy Agency 4E EMSA task called ‘Testing Centres’ which began in 2009. Under this task, a Testing Centres network has been developed to raise the quality of testing of motors worldwide by developing networks between laboratories in different countries. Information will be presented about the outcomes of the first two Testing Centres workshops, held in 2009 and 2010 which led to the development of a guide to motor testing using IEC60034-2-1, which has now been submitted as a contribution towards the revision of the Standard.