Paula Fonseca

Energy-efficient motor systems in the industrial and in the services sectors in the European Union: characterisation, potentials, barriers and policies

This paper shows how electricity is used by electric motors in both the industrial and the services’ sectors in the European Union, as well as the potential electricity savings by the year 2015 with the application of Energy-Efficient Motors and Variable Speed Drives. Additionally, the main barriers identified in the field characterization study and the measures to overcome those barriers are presented.

A practice–theory approach to homeowners' energy retrofits in four European areas

This article examines whether and how energy retrofitting of owner-occupied dwellings can be understood within the framework of social practice theories. Practice theories help to shift the focus towards more collective approaches and practices, rather than towards individuals. In addressing this question, energy retrofits are described and their variability compared in four European areas: Denmark, Latvia, the Coimbra area in Portugal and Wallonia in Belgium. Although these areas have different geographical, cultural and housing contexts, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) provides a common form of regulation. As a policy, its main underlying intention is to promote the opportunities for energy retrofitting. Based on an analysis of 60 in-depth interviews with homeowners, it is found that energy retrofitting is not an integrative practice in 2010, despite the EPBD and other efforts to enforce such a practice. This lack of a retrofitting practice exists for a variety of reasons: it is not sustained by common and conventionalized routines, and by shared know-how and goals among relevant actors (e.g. homeowners and craftsmen). Based on practice theories, novel policy recommendations are provided to help to constitute an energy-related renovation practice in detached owner-occupied houses.

Market transformation of energy-efficient motor technologies in the EU

Based on a recent study carried out for the European Union (EU), this paper briefly characterizes the motor electricity end-use consumption in the industrial and in the services sectors, in the EU countries, and estimates the identified electricity savings potential with the application of energy-efficient motor technologies, namely energy-efficient motors, variable speed drives and efficient end-use devices (pumps, fans and compressors). Additionally, there is a detailed presentation of the barriers for the penetration of energy-efficient motor systems, which have been identified in the field, as well as an extensive description of the measures to overcome those barriers and promote energy-efficient motor systems.

Characterisation of the Electricity Use in European Union and the Savings Potential in 2010

This paper presents the results of the study “Actions to Promote Energy Efficient Electric Motors”, carried out recently by the European Union Motors Study Group for the European Commission.

Energy-Efficient Motor and Drives

This paper presents an overview about energy-efficient motor technologies, namelly Energy Efficient Motors (EEMs), Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), efficient transmission systems, etc. It also identifies the main barriers to the penetration of those technologies as well as the strategies which can be used to overcome those barriers and contribute to make efficient purchase decisions, accelerating the penetration of energy efficient motor technologies.

Energy Efficient Motor Technologies

Electric motors consume over half of all electricity used in developed countries and typically 60–80% of the electricity which is used in the industrial sector. The use of energy-efficient motor technologies can produce substantial electricity savings which are also normally associated with process improvements and longer life of the motor drive components. This paper presents an overview about the energy-efficient motor technologies which may influence the motor electricity consumption.

Sustainability in university campus: options for achieving nearly zero energy goals

Purpose The purpose of this study was to design a renovation plan for a university campus building (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) with the aim to achieve nearly zero energy performance, ensuring a low specific demand (lower than 44 kWh/m2) and a high level of on-site renewable generation (equivalent to more than 20 per cent of the energy demand). Design/methodology/approach The baseline demand was characterized based on energy audits, on smart metering data and on the existing building management system data, showing a recent reduction of the electricity demand owing to some implemented measures. The renovation plan was then designed with two main measures, the total replacement of the actual lighting by LEDs and the installation of a photovoltaic system (PV) with 78.8 kWp coupled with an energy storage system with 100 kWh of lithium-ion batteries. Findings The designed renovation achieved energy savings of 20 per cent, with 27.5 per cent of the consumed energy supplied by the PV system. This will ensure a reduction of the specific energy of the building to only 30 kWh/m2, with 42.4 per cent savings on the net-energy demand. Practical implications The designed renovation proves that it is possible to achieve nearly zero energy goals with cost-effective solutions, presenting the lighting renovation and the solar PV generation system a payback of 2.3 and 6.9 years, respectively. Originality/value This study innovated by defining ambitious goals to achieve nearly zero energy levels and presenting a design based on a comprehensive lighting retrofit and PV generation, whereas other studies are mostly based on envelope refurbishment and behaviour changes.

Characterization of EU Motor Use

This paper presents the main results of the field characterization of the electricity used by motors in the European Union, in the scope of the project “Improving the Penetration of Energy-Efficient Motors and Drives” recently carried out. This project was supported by the European Commission — DG XVII, under the SAVE II Programme. The key objectives of this project were: To characterise the motor electricity end-use in the main industrial subsectors and in the tertiary sector, in order to deal with the lack of end-use data in the area of electric motors. To identify and estimate the potential energy savings through the use of efficient motor technologies, namely Energy-Efficient Motors and Variable Speed Drives. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the identified savings potential opportunities. To develop a database of end-user applications of electric motors in the industrial and tertiary sectors. To design DSM programmes targeted at the exploitation of cost-effective energy savings opportunities. The most important industrial sectors in the EU have been characterised, namely non-metallic mineral, paper pulp and print, food and tobacco, chemical, iron and steel, and machinery and metal. These industrial sectors are responsible for 72% of the total industrial electricity consumption in EU.