coppertalk

By Richard deFay, Copper Development Association Inc. Project Manager, Electrical Applications Specialist

Prior to joining CDA three years ago, Richard deFay spent five years working for Applied Proactive Technologies in the NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) Premium Efficient Motor Program.

In the current economic climate, there’s a substantial push toward more efficiency, especially in reducing consumption.  CDA has been invited by the U.S. Department of Energy to act as a Save Energy Now ALLY Partner in promoting energy efficiency to American industry across the country.  ALLY Partners are trade associations, suppliers, utilities, state organizations, universities, and non-profit organizations who promote and assist corporations, manufacturing plants, and other companies in reducing their energy consumption.  Anything we can do to maintain energy independence is critical.  This is such a fragile environment we’re in, both politically and economically, that it behooves all of us to seek out opportunities to reduce our energy consumption.  And the most cost-effective way is through energy efficiency.  At $.04 per kilowatt hour compared to other technologies noted below it is our first and best line of defense.

Motors consume 63-65% of the energy used in industrial settings and between 30-50% in settings such as schools and universities.  Nationwide, including residential usage, motors account for 23% of all electric utilization. At CDA, we strongly encourage the use of the new high-efficiency copper rotor motors, operating above NEMA Premium efficiency levels.  They can make a tremendous impact and save a lot of money each year.  Selecting energy-efficient motors, like the copper rotor motor, is something companies can do right now to make a difference.  If you look at other energy avenues – wind, solar, nuclear, offshore, natural gas, and coal – those efforts to reduce consumption and make a cleaner product are magnitudes higher in cost and time than just reducing consumption through more efficient means.  Energy efficiency is the first line of defense and the least expensive avenue we have, while we at the same time work on all these other energy reduction avenues, many of which are years down the road. 

People are starting to get the message.  When I show them the graph illustrating the difference in efficiency of the NEMA Premium motor or the copper rotor motor (which is even more efficient than the NEMA Premium motor), over other options, they’re amazed.  And when they take this information back to their companies and actually make these changes, they not only improve efficiency but perhaps even improve their jobs as well, because of the cost savings they’re helping their companies realize.