Electric Motor Systems Energy-Saving Challenge – Improving the Operating Efficiency of Chinese Electric Motor Systems

September 2010

Nearly 150 companies from various sectors, including electronics manufacturing, metal processing, printing, furniture, footwear and apparel manufacturers, participated in a training workshop for motor system users. The SWITCH-Asia project China Motor Challenge conducted the event on 28 September 2010 in Shenzhen. The event was hosted by the two project partners, the ESCO Committee of China Energy Conservation Association (EMCA) and the China Institute of Standardisation (CNIS). Most of the participating companies are suppliers to Wal-Mart.
The Vice President of Wal-Mart global sourcing office, Ken Lanshe, attended the workshop. Mr Lanshe highlighted the pressing situation on energy saving and the importance of energy-saving motors. He called on SME motor users to strengthen their awareness and promoted the implementation of energy-saving upgrades. He also encouraged cooperation between motor users and energy service companies, to take advantage of the expertise of energy service companies. As larger companies are working on energy saving, SMEs form the next major target group for motor system energy-saving efforts. The main purpose of the training was to strengthen the awareness of energy conservation among SMEs, and publicising energy performance contracting and how the energy service companies help motor users to implement energy-saving projects.
The training workshop also directly showed SMEs how they can identify and implement motor system energy-saving. The training invited domestic and international renowned energy experts in electrical systems, including Qin Hongbo and Li Yuqi, as well as Professor Anibal de Almeida from University of Coimbra ISR in Portugal, and Hugh Falkner, energy efficiency consultant from the UK. The training included a comprehensive introduction of electric motors, pumps, fans and compressed air system energy optimisation methods, including many practical cases. It introduced techniques on motor system energy-saving upgrades, and also taught participants how to analyse the economic and social benefits of an efficient motor system.

June 2010

On 4 June 2010, the SWITCH-Asia project China Motor Challenge conducted at a workshop on high-efficiency and energy saving electric motor system standards and policies in Shanghai. This was the third and final of the international standards workshops which were held for producers of motors and motor system components. The workshop aimed to disseminate information on the standards of new testing methods for motors developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) (IEC60034-2-1), as well as the IEC new energy efficiency classification standards for motors (IEC60034-30). An additional objective was to prepare the motor sector for the upcoming new energy label. SMEs, especially motor manufacturers, benefited from the training as they often lack awareness and technical information about international product standards and their testing requirements. Moreover, current Chinese standards are not in line with IEC standards, requiring products to be tested multiple times. The workshop disseminated relevant information about the latest international standards thus enabling the target audience to work towards compliance with these regulations as early as possible. Moreover, the workshop served as a networking and experience-sharing platform for enterprises that work with electric motors and are concerned with improving their efficiency.