New Motor Master+ International Helps Evaluate Motors System Savings Potential

August 13, 2004

Motor systems account for approximately two-thirds of electricity used in industrial facilities. For manufacturers worldwide, this high level of energy use need not be a fact of production. Instead, it represents an efficiency opportunity in the making; and improved motor management practices could be the key that unlocks tremendous energy savings and emissions reductions.

To further assist energy managers with motor management decisions, the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces a new international version of its popular MotorMaster+ software tool. The new tool, MotorMaster+ International, includes many of the capabilities and features of MotorMaster+; however users can now conduct repair/replacement analysis on a broader range of motors. This includes motors tested under the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standard, and those tested using International Electrical Commission (IEC) methodology. This capability will be of great use to companies with overseas operations that are interested in improving motor system efficiency.

Added Features Increase Capabilities

With MotorMaster+International, users can:

Use the tool's internal database of IEC/metric motor price and performance. The software also displays the European Efficiency Labeling Scheme minimum full-load motor efficiency standards and default performance values.
Modify the tool to operate in multiple languages. It currently features English, Spanish and French language capability.
Conduct analyses in different currencies by entering the currency symbol of choice and a currency multiplier.
Calculate efficiency benefits for utility rate schedules with demand charges, based upon peak kVA or kilowatt readings.
Find out about the updated greenhouse gas emission factors for the United States and Canadian provinces.
Edit and modify motor rewind efficiency loss defaults.
Conduct a "best available" motor analysis.
Factor utility rebates by multiplying a fixed incentive (cost per kilowatt-hour) times the first year energy savings.

Multinational Framework

DOE collaborated with organizations worldwide about the need for a more universal tool that helps users select and evaluate the energy impacts and energy savings potential of electric motors.

In addition to DOE, the multinational consortium is comprised of the International Copper Association; the European community, including the Joint Research Center and the United Kingdom's Action Energy (Carbon Trust); Corporacion del Cobre de Chile (Codelco); and National Resources Canada. By joining forces, the collaboration leveraged experience, expertise, and financial resources to develop a more comprehensive product than any one country could have developed on its own.

"This project offers a unique opportunity for countries to work together to encourage greater use of energy efficient industrial motors and to increase awareness of the benefits of motor system efficiency worldwide," explains John Mollet, Vice President International Copper Association, which served as projects manager for the development group.

The product that resulted from this international collaboration is a software shell, known to the development group as the international motor selection and savings analysis software (IMSSA). The software tool can interface with each country's individual database of motors. This flexibility enables countries to market and adapt the tool, and help their local customers make the best use of the product.

This new software tool will be known in the United States as MotorMaster+ International, but the tool will be distributed under different names in various global markets.

A Means to Harmonize Standards

Previously, other countries in the group had developed their own motor software tool. However, the tools lacked compatibility to serve the global community because of differences in standards, units, frequency, motor models, and utility structures among the different countries. But the new software framework will help in efforts to harmonize motor standards and allow for easier and better evaluation of motor energy use and efficiency.

Throughout the world, the tool will provide the spark to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient electric motors. DOE estimates that the tool can influence electric motor purchase decisions and result in a potential savings of 139 billion kilowatt-hours per year in electricity worldwide. This is equivalent to total annual electricity consumption in the state of New York; including every house, commercial building, and factory. Additionally, carbon emissions could be reduced by 24 million metric tons of carbon equivalent per year worldwide.

Download MotorMaster+ International Now

DOE's version of the tool is available now from the Industrial Technologies Program BestPractices Web site. Download MotorMaster+ International, and find out how you can improve motor management in your manufacturing plant; it can help make a world of difference.

For more information about MotorMaster + International contact the EERE Information Center, or call 1-877-337-3463 (1-877-EERE-INF).