the energy use
of a drivepower system-which includes the motor, its controls, and
the connection between the motor and the equipment it
drives-designers need to consider how these components operate as a
system rather than looking at them on an individual basis.
In most buildings, motors help provide ventilation, cooling, and
vertical transportation. A typical building can contain hundreds of
motors, which collectively can account for as much as one-quarter
of the building's total energy budget. Unfortunately, many
designers don't fully consider the energy costs associated with
motors - nor do they seek ways to reduce those costs.
New standards for motor efficiency have improved this situation to
some extent. However in order to truly minimize drivepower energy
consumption, designers must consider how the components of a
drivepower system (the motor, its controls, and the connection to
the equipment it drives) operate together - rather than treating
each component separately.
By critically evaluating the entire drivepower system, and also
combining good engineering with efficient components (such as
premium-efficiency motors and variable-speed drives), a designer
can reduce drivepower energy use by 50 percent or more. Considering
that the cost to buy a motor usually is only about one-tenth of its
annual energy costs, drivepower system improvements easily can pay
for themselves within a few months.
The first edition of this design brief was prepared for Energy
Design Resources in 2003. Between January and April of 2010, an
engineering review of this document was conducted to update
passages affected by recent changes in the California Building
Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 2008). The original content
creator was not actively involved in this engineering review, and
therefore is not responsible for the updates to the affected
passages.
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