New legislative requirements for electric motors coming into force in 2015

To limit European energy consumption and climate impact, the EU implemented a number of energy requirements in 2009 under the name ecodesign. The requirements consist of three stages, the second of which is being implemented at the start of 2015 to remove the least energy-efficient motors from the market. The new requirements mean that electric motors from 0.75 kW to 5.5 kW must, as a minimum, comply with the IE2 standards and that motors from 7.5 kW to 375 kW must comply with the strictest IE3 standard. The new EU directives will therefore affect a great number of European suppliers.

“Electric motors are widespread in the industrial world and are often used for ventilation systems, pumps, conveyer belts and exhaust systems, for example. The machines typically run using electric motors in the size range covered by the new requirements. This means that a large proportion of the industry will need to think about energy optimisation in the New Year. Nevertheless, the ecodesign rules allow for the continued use of IE2 motors in the range 7.5 kW to 375 kW if using frequency converters,” explains Production and Application Specialist at Hoyer Motors Erik Munch Kristiansen.

Better energy utilisation with the same footprint

Industrial electric motors are supplied in accordance with IEC standards. This means that the motors are designed using specific mounting dimensions. Future motors need to be more energy-efficient but will still need to fit the existing dimensions.

The components must therefore become better and smaller, making the motor more expensive to manufacture. On the other hand, end users can look forward to substantial energy optimisation, the benefits of which, in industry, will often be felt over the space of only a few years. A motor in continuous operation can quickly generate large energy savings.

The largest energy consumer in the industry

There are many more electric motors in the industry than you may at first think. Around 70 percent of the industry’s overall energy consumption can be directly or indirectly attributed to electric motors. The new requirements are therefore important with regard to reducing the EU’s overall energy consumption.

“By tightening the requirements for electric motors, all EU residents can look forward to substantially lower CO2 emissions, something Hoyer is happy to support,” says Erik Munch Kristiansen.

Facts about the ecodesign requirements

• The ecodesign requirements cover a large number of products, ranging from windows and coffee makers to lighting and computers.
• The requirements have been established in order to implement standards to reduce energy consumption across the entire EU.
• The ecodesign requirements are being implemented in three stages: The first took place in 2009, the second is due in 2015 and the final stage is scheduled for 2017.
• In 2017, all motors from 0.75 kW to 375 kW must be running as IE3 motors.
• The IE standard ranks motors based on energy-efficiency. IE1 covers the two least efficient models, IE2 covers the mid-range models and IE3 covers the most efficient models.
• If you want to learn more about the motors of the future, get in touch with Hoyer or look through our catalogue for IE3 motors.