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Overview

This fact sheet outlines the mandatory energy efficiencyperformance standards (MEPS) for three phase electricmotors that commenced in many jurisdictions from 1October 2001 and in all States and territories in Australiafrom 21 June 2002.

Context

Electric motors are responsible for the majority ofelectricity consumption in the industrial sector. Typicalindustrial applications include crushing, grinding, mixing,fans, pumps, materials conveying, air compressorsand refrigeration. They are also used extensively in

the commercial sector for air conditioning, ventilation,refrigeration, water pumping, lifts and escalators. In total,experts estimate that electric motors account for nearly30% of total electricity consumption in Australia for allsectors or around some 11% of total greenhouse gasemissions.

Motors are generally an efficient way of converting electricalenergy into motive power, with typical overall conversionefficiencies of 80% to 90%+ (depending on the size). Largermotors tend to have higher efficiency and efficiency is alsoaffected by the number of poles (synchronous speed). Fora particular motor size and pole configuration, it is possible

to increase the efficiency by using better materials (eglarger, lower resistance winding wire and higher qualitysteel for the laminations) or better design measures.Efficient motors also tend to have a better relativeperformance at part load, which is of increased benefit forapplications with variable load requirements.

The reason for Government intervention

Studies of the motor supply market suggest the market isnot driving improvements in energy efficiency as quickly asAustralian governments desire. The motors market appearsto be subject to both information failure where users donot have access to accurate and consistent informationabout products or the full costs of owning and operatingproducts and to market failure where the most cost-effective products and solutions are passed up because ofdistortions in the market.

For purchasers and users of motors, the lifetime electricitycost represents a large component in most cases the

major part of the cost of owning and operating a motor.

So even small improvements in energy efficiency can leadto substantial energy and operating cost savings.

Governments first became interested in regulatory options

for three phase electric motors in 1994 and have beenworking since with industry and their representative bodiesto establish an effective regulatory regime. In early 2001,Ministers responsible for energy efficiency regulationagreed with a consensus promoted by all stakeholdergroups (government, manufacturers suppliers and usersgroups) to come into effect not earlier than October thatyear.

What are the technical requirements?

MEPS applies to three phase electric motors, manufactured

in or imported into Australia with a rated output in the range0.73 kW to

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Three phase electric motors within the scope of theregulation must meet or exceed the minimum efficiencylevel stated in AS/NZS1359.5. Motors may be tested toeither: AS1359: Rotating electrical machines - General

Requirements Part 102.1: Methods for determininglosses and efficiency General (this is equivalent toIEC 60034-2A); or

AS/NZS1359: Rotating electrical machines - General

Requirements Part 102.3: Methods for determininglosses and efficiency Three phase cage inductionmotors (this is equivalent to the forthcoming IECstandard and US ANSI/IEEE 112 method B).

In addition, motors are required to comply with the relevantparts of AS1359: Rotating electrical machines - GeneralRequirements Part 101: Rating and Performance (IEC60034.1).

Part 5 also specifies minimum levels for motors claimedas "high efficiency" in the market place. This specificationmeans that suppliers should no longer make advertisingclaims about their motors high efficiency unless it meetsthe more stringent level.

There are a number of motor types that are exempt fromMEPS including: submersible motors; integral motor-gear systems (non separable); variable or multi-speed speed motors; motors rated only for short duty cycles (IEC60034-2

duty rating S2) rewound motors or motors sold as second hand.

The Australian MEPS levels are essentially harmonisedwith the European High Efficiency Level 2. High efficiencymotors in Australia approximately correspond to EuropeanHigh Efficiency Level 1 and US MEPS levels for electricmotors.

Supplier obligations

From 21 June 2002, it is mandatory that three phaseelectric motors manufactured or imported into Australiameet MEPS and to be registered for MEPS with a stateregulator.

AS/NZS 1359.5 sets out the technical requirements forMEPS and application form for MEPS. This standard

can be purchased from www.standards.com.au Moreinformation on the requirements for electric motors,including technical requirements, can be obtained from

www.energyrating.gov.au

The impact of Government intervention

National product regulation can only be justified where thebenefits outweigh the costs to the community; where the

costs of improving electric motor efficiency is outweighedby the energy savings made over the lifetime of theproduct. A regulatory impact statement was conductedto estimate the costs and benefits of implementing the

proposed MEPS levels for motors. This used a detailedcomputer model of the market and using data on productenergy efficiency, sales and prices provided by the industry.

The RIS projected the net present value (at a 10% discountrate) of the projected savings over the period 2000-15 was$165m, compared with projected costs of $92m, givinga benefit/cost ratio of 1.8. A national benefit/cost ratio of1.8 is favourable for a program of this type, and the ratio

for all jurisdictions is favourable. These estimates pertainto the mandatory MEPS option alone. The introduction ofcommon criteria for "high efficiency" motors that wouldaccompany the introduction of MEPS would assist buyersto identify and select even more efficient motors, and wouldadd considerably to the effectiveness of voluntary programssuch as the Australian Motor Systems Challenge.

Energy savings were projected to build up rapidly. Thegreenhouse reductions associated with the electricitysavings were projected to reach about 0.33 Mt CO2-eper annum in 2010, the midpoint of the Kyoto Protocolcommitment period, and then peak at about 0.45 Mt perannum.

A copy of the RIS can be obtained from

www.greenhouse.gov.au/energyefficiency/appliances/

meps/

Best Practice Program

Motor Solutions Online is a voluntary program thatcomplements the mandatory regulations by assistingsuppliers and customers to recognise the benefit from

better motor selection and motor management practices."Motor Selector" software has been developed to helpusers make the best choice for purchasing highly efficientnew motors. It offers an accurate and reliable way ofanalysing complex factors that affect the whole-of-life costsof electric motor use. It helps users to determine whichelectric motor best suits their application.

Website: www.isr.gov.au/motors

More information

You can obtain more information from the BuiltEnvironment Team of the Australian Greenhouse Office.

Contactenergyefficiency@greenhouse.gov.auor visit

www.greenhouse.gov.au

To contact the relevant State Regulators visit

www.energyrating.gov.au/links.html for their details.

Registrations are accepted by the NSW Ministry of Energyand Utilities, the Victorian Office of the Chief ElectricalInspector, the Queensland Department of IndustrialRelations and the South Australian Officer of the Technical

Regulator.

You can register as an online user athttp://

energy.worthit.com.au/registration/regform.asp

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