EPRI Report documents testing of energy-saving devices.
Press Release Summary:
Assessment of Retrofit Energy Savings Device (RESD) Technologies-Phase II describes and documents energy savings, energy efficiency, and limited power quality and performance assessment of 6 retrofit energy-saving devices that EPRI tested. Devices include lighting controls, electric motor controls, and one residential home energy saver. Devices were subjected to several tests to determine manufacturer’s claims and operation when exposed to real-world operating conditions.
Original Press Release:
EPRI has Published a New Report, "Assessment of Retrofit Energy Savings Device (RESD) Technologies-Phase II." #3002000392
This report describes and documents the energy savings, energy efficiency, and limited power quality and performance assessment of six retrofit energy-saving devices that EPRI tested. These devices include lighting controls, electric motor controls, and one residential home energy saver. These devices were selected based on industry interest and for informational purposes for customers. Most of the testing was conducted at EPRI’s Knoxville laboratory under controlled conditions. The devices were subjected to several tests to determine manufacturer’s claims and operation when exposed to real-world operating conditions.
Power, energy, and other electrical measurements were taken with the devices in a bypassed state to establish a baseline for energy consumption, and then again with the devices operating in the circuit. The motors were allowed to operate for a period of time so that they could warm up to normal operating temperature and were in a steady state of operation. Lamps and ballasts were subjected to an industry standard burn-in time to ensure that the lamps were properly seasoned before photometric measurements were carried out. During the electrical measurements, luminous flux measurements were also recorded to determine the amount of light that may have been lost due to reduced energy to the lamp-ballast systems.
This report provides sponsors and other readers with technical characteristics and independent test data pertaining to the evaluated energy savings systems. The information provided includes any energy savings, degraded system performance because of unit malfunction, and any potential power quality issues. This information will allow the sponsors to make informed decisions pertaining to possible use or implementation of the tested devices. EPRI will neither endorse nor detract from any unit tested. This report contains test procedures and reporting of the test results as tested.
Four key takeaways from the report are:
- Power Factor Correction was not found to appreciably reduce kilowatt hour consumption for residential applications.
- Lighting Voltage Controllers were found to reduce energy consumption from 9 to 25%, but lumen output is reduced.
- Motor Voltage Controllers can reduce energy consumption, but they are most effective when the motor is less than 25% loaded.
- While there are a number of methods to produce energy savings in modern R/C/I facilities, the challenge is doing so cost-effectively.
Don Kintner
EPRI
dkintner@epri.com
704-595-2506
