Brammer, the UK’s leading supplier of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and services, has welcomed the European Commission’s recent agreement on draft regulations for mandatory minimum efficiency standards for industrial electric motors. It is estimated that these regulations could lead to savings across Europe in energy consumption by 2020 equivalent to the entire annual energy use of Sweden.
Motors account for around two thirds of electricity used in UK industry and the new regulations, which form part of the EuP Directive entitled “EcoDesign Requirements for Energy-Using Products”, are expected to save UK industry around £200 million and at least 1 million tonnes of CO2 each year.
Expected to be officially adopted by the Commission in June this year, the proposed standards will introduce a new IE efficiency grading standard to replace the current voluntary EFF labelling scheme. Once fully ratified, this new efficiency scheme is likely to be introduced in three stages between 2011 and 2017, covering single-speed, three-phase, 50Hz or 50/60Hz, squirrel-cage induction motors with rated voltages of up to 1kV and power outputs between 750W and 375kW. Applicable to motors with two, four or six poles, they will prohibit the sale of motors below standard IE2 efficiency (equivalent to the current EFF1 standard) from 2011, allowing only highly efficient IE3 motors for certain larger applications from 2015 and for all applications from 2017. Alternatively, IE2 motors can be sold after 2015 providing they are used in conjunction with a variable speed drive (VSD).
Ian Ritchie, Managing Director of Brammer, commented: “It is very welcome news that the EU is taking firm action to create clear, mandatory standards for industrial electric motors.
“These new European-wide standards will actually help manufacturing companies as they seek to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions – indeed, with motors accounting for so much of the energy used in industry, it’s an area where large cost savings can be made.
“However, there is no reason to wait until 2011 to take a close look at motor usage in production and the benefits of using more efficient motors and VSDs. With help available through the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme and interest-free Energy Efficiency Loans through the Carbon Trust, investing now in this area will have an immediate positive impact in terms of reducing energy use and emissions, and thus enhancing production efficiency and competitiveness.”
To speak to a Brammer technical specialist about your motor requirements, call 0870 240 2100 or visit www.brammer.biz.
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