Premium efficiency
A class of motor efficiency driven by environmental and energy legislation.
Premium efficiency is a classification for certain electric motors that have a rotating shaft, indicating a high level of energy performance. This designation has gained importance due to upcoming regulations in the European Union, the United States, and other nations that will require the use of premium-efficiency squirrel cage induction motors in specific applications. These rules are part of a broader global push to lower energy use, cut carbon dioxide emissions, and reduce the environmental footprint of industry.
The drive for better motor efficiency gained momentum after the oil crisis, when the need for more electrical power and additional power plants highlighted the importance of energy conservation. In 1992, the U.S. Congress set minimum efficiency levels for electric motors through the Energy Policy Act. Six years later, in 1998, the European Committee of Manufacturers of Electrical Machines and Power systems introduced a voluntary agreement that sorted motors into three efficiency classes: Eff 1 for high efficiency, Eff 2 for standard efficiency, and Eff 3 for low efficiency.
According to U.S. Department of Energy data, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s premium-efficiency motor program is projected to save 5.8 terawatts of electricity and prevent nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon emissions over a decade—equivalent to removing 16 million cars from the road. Roughly 30 million new industrial electric motors are sold each year, and about 300 million motors are in use across industry, infrastructure, and large buildings. These motors account for 40% of global electricity consumption, powering pumps, fans, compressors, and other mechanical equipment. Advances in motor technology have produced superior premium products that can shift the market toward energy efficiency and help lower worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. On average, adopting best-practice energy efficiency can improve motor performance by 20% to 30%, with most upgrades paying for themselves within one to three years, offering a significant opportunity to reduce global emissions.
Electric motor systems consume large amounts of electricity and present a major chance for energy savings. Over a motor’s lifetime, energy costs make up more than 97% of total operating expenses.
- Estimated savings terawatts
- 5.8 terawatts of electricity over ten years
- Estimated carbon reduction metric tons
- nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon over ten years
- Equivalent cars removed
- 16 million cars
- Annual new industrial motors sold
- roughly 30 million
- Total motors in use
- some 300 million
- Global electricity share
- 40% of global electricity used to drive pumps, fans, compressors and other mechanical traction equipment
- Efficiency improvement potential
- 20% to 30% on average
- Payback time years
- 1 to 3 years
Lore & Background
The term premium efficiency as discussed here relates to a class of motor efficiency. It was thought necessary to introduce this term because of forthcoming legislation in the EU, USA and other countries regarding the future mandatory use of premium-efficiency squirrel cage induction type motors in defined equipment. The oil crisis and the worldwide need for more power, more electrical power, and consequently more power stations raised energy conservation awareness. In 1992 the U.S. Congress, as part of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct), set minimum efficiency levels for electric motors. In 1998 the European Committee of Manufacturers of Electrical Machines and Power systems (CEMEP) issued a voluntary agreement of motor manufacturers on efficiency classification, with three classes: Eff 1 for High Efficiency, Eff 2 for Standard Efficiency, and Eff 3 for Low Efficiency. The IEC 60034-30 standard specifies electrical efficiency classes for single-speed, three-phase, 50 Hz and 60 Hz, cage-induction motors, and reserves an IE4 class (Super Premium Efficiency) for the future.
Reader's Guide
Premium efficiency motors are significant because electric motor systems consume large amounts of electrical energy and can provide an opportunity for significant energy savings. Energy represents more than 97 percent of total motor operating costs over the motor's lifetime, yet the purchase of a new motor often tends to be driven by price, not the electricity it will consume. Based on U.S. Department of Energy data, the NEMA premium-efficiency motor program would save 5.8 terawatts of electricity and prevent the release of nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere over ten years, equivalent to keeping 16 million cars off the road. Roughly 30 million new electric motors are sold each year for industrial purposes, with some 300 million motors in use, responsible for 40% of global electricity used to drive pumps, fans, compressors and other mechanical traction equipment. Using best practice energy efficiency, electrical motor efficiency can be improved by 20% to 30% on average, with most improvements having a payback time of 1 to 3 years. The NEMA Premium program was established to help purchasers identify higher efficient motors that save money and improve system reliability, and to reduce electrical consumption and associated pollution. The EU enacted a Directive in June 2005 establishing a framework for setting eco-design requirements for all energy using products, to ensure coherent EU-wide rules.
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