New legislative requirements for electric motors coming into force in 2015
On 1 January 2015, the EU implemented new energy requirements for electric motors in the size range 0.75 kW to 375 kW. The requirements represent the second of a total of three stages in phasing out the least energy efficient motors from the market. Hoyer is naturally ready with new motors that comply with the requirements.
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 was 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 therefore affected a great number of European suppliers.
"Electric motors are widespread in the industrial world and are often used for ventilation systems, pumps, conveyor 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 now needs to think about energy optimisation since the change. 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 according to 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 Danish industry than you may at first think. Around 70 per cent 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 both Denmark's and 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.