The Motor Decisions Matter (MDM) campaign is not just about motors anymore. After 12 years of promoting the benefits of sound motor management in commercial and industrial facilities, the MDM campaign is increasing its scope to motor-driven systems — a savings opportunity that is worth billions of dollars. The campaign will promote sound motor system management practices that help customers save energy and cut costs. Over the next three years, campaign sponsors will design messaging, tools, and resources to promote decision making based on life cycle costs and proactive planning for common motor systems.
One campaign sponsor, MidAmerican Energy Company, worked with an industrial rubber manufacturer to assess their system, which included a 1,500-hp motor controlled by an electromagnetic eddy-style clutch that powers an extruder. After replacing the clutch with a 24-pulse frequency drive, the plant saved 1.3 million kWhr of electricity, which amounted to more than $40,000 in annual utility bill savings. The plant also reduced annual maintenance costs by 240 man-hours.
The MDM campaign brings together unique, binational network of industrial efficiency experts, including 16 local and regional energy efficiency programs, the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation, representing more than 1,400 Canadian companies and trade associations, and the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA), representing about 1,900 electromechanical repair, service, and sales firms around the world.
MDM campaign sponsors include Advanced Energy, Alliant Energy, Ameren Illinois, Avista, BC Hydro, Bonneville Power Administration, Danfoss, Electrical Apparatus Service Association, Efficiency Vermont, Long Island Power Authority, MidAmerican Energy Company, National Grid, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Northern Indiana Public Service Company, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation, New York Power Authority, Pacific Gas & Electric, Regal Beloit, and Xcel Energy. For more information, visit the MDM website or the CEE website.
