The adoption of new minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for electric motors in South Africa will provide significant energy savings, improve operational competitiveness and alleviate pressure on the country’s electricity supply, says energy research institution South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).

South Africa’s industrial sector is dominated by motors that fall under the lowest class of international efficiency standards (IE1).

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), SANEDI and equipment energy performance organisation Collaborative Labelling and Appliance Standards Program (Clasp) completed a second cost-benefit analysis to determine the economic and environmental benefits of introducing MEPS for electric motors in South Africa.

This second report, titled ‘Cost-benefit analysis to introduce Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Electric Motors in South Africa’, found that national electricity demand could potentially be reduced by as much as 0.25% in 2023 should inefficient IE1 motors be replaced with more efficiently rated IE3 motors.

IE3 electric motor units have a premium efficiency rating of 94.2%, with potential energy savings of between 15% and 16%, SANEDI notes.

South Africa’s economy depends on energy-intensive industries such as mining, chemicals, agriculture, iron and cement making. These industries all run electric motors for extended periods, even up to 17 hours a day. The study also revealed that about 32 companies in these sectors consume about 40% of the country’s electrical energy.

It is, therefore, imperative that the country adopts MEPS and energy labels that are supported by government best practice awareness programmes. Collectively, these actions will accelerate the transition to more efficient motor system applications, the institute says.

“Electric motors are not only used in heavy industry; they are ubiquitous and we use them constantly without realising. Implementing the cost-benefit analysis recommendations should be treated as a priority, and aligns with President [Cyril] Ramaphosa's recently announced energy crisis plan which seeks to conserve energy usage,” says research leader and energy specialist Dr Theo Covary.

Further, the repair of motors and the pre-used sales sector was identified as a barrier to the government’s energy efficiency efforts. Standard and labelling programmes do not typically regulate the second-hand market. This meaningfully slows down the pace at which standard and labelling policy objectives can be achieved.

The report also calls for companies to refrain from selling their old electric motors, which are most likely non-compliant with the new energy performance standards, particularly to the agricultural sector where emerging farmers would be the most likely recipients.

Some South African distributors are already making the shift towards IE3 electric motor units and support the government’s intention to forge ahead with the new efficiency standards programme, which is now long overdue, Covary adds.

“In line with international standards, the report recommends that the DMRE should proceed in implementing MEPS for level IE3 electric motors in the 0.75 kW to 375 kW range for 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-pole motors,” he says.

The research considered the Urban-Econ Feasibility Study of 2019 to help reach its conclusions, and this study suggested that 200 000 electric motor units are sold each year in South Africa, with at least 69% of them between the 0.75 kW and 11 kW size range. Of these, between 40% and 50% have no stated energy rating, with the implication being that they are the most inefficient motors available on the market, he highlights.

Further, the report also assumes that the new performance standards will be formally introduced in 2023 to allow affected stakeholders a transition period to adjust to costs and move to IE3 electric motors.

State-owned utility Eskom’s Integrated Annual Report for the year also finds that more efficient MEPS will have the potential to reduce electricity demand by 0.25% in 2023. This will also increase as older electric motors are replaced with the newer IE3 models over time, Covary adds.

“The cost-benefit analysis report concludes that, if the electric motor MEPS programme is effective, it should offer meaningful electricity savings which will directly benefit Eskom.

“Not only will it assist Eskom with its current supply challenge, but it will improve the competitiveness of South Africa’s industrial base, by reducing load-shedding risks and operational costs,” he says.