Motors Program
MidAmerican Energy's Motors program offers our commercial and industrial customers in Iowa
rebates for installation of energy-efficient motors.
In general, NEMA Premium®-efficient motors are 2-8 percent more efficient than standard motors. Adding a variable-speed drive to a NEMA Premium-efficient motor in an appropriate application saves even more because the motor then consumes less energy when load requirements are less than full speed. Qualifying equipment is eligible for cash rebates.
Efficiency Standards
Effective December 2010, federal regulations require 1 to 200 horsepower general purpose
motors to meet minimum efficiency levels equivalent to NEMA MG1 Table 12-12 levels, which
are equivalent to the designation NEMA Premium®. With this standard in place, the
Consortium for Energy Efficiency has identified motors at least one efficiency band above
NEMA Premium. A list of motors at this qualification level can be found on their website,
www.motorsmatter.org. There are some gaps in product offerings from manufacturers, as some
motors are not commercially available at this time and not all motor manufacturers submit
available products to the CEE list. Consult with your motor distributor to verify if their
motors meet the minimum efficiencies listed on the attached motor rebate table.
When Should a Motor be Replaced?
Because electricity accounts for 97 percent of a motor's lifetime costs, choosing a NEMA Premium-efficient motor is appropriate before a motor fails, when a motor fails and for new installations. Other reasons for considering replacing motors are loading factors and age. Premium motors generally are most efficient at a loading factor of 75 percent. Motors operating above or below this loading factor may be candidates for resizing. Older units having high operating hours or which have been rewound also can be considered for replacement. Motors greater than 200 horsepower can be reviewed for rebate eligibility through MidAmerican Energy's EnergyAdvantage®
Custom Systems program.
Consider These Benefits
Motor systems improvements generally will:
- Reduce energy costs
- Improve plant efficiency and load factor
- Minimize unscheduled downtime
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Receive new manufacturer motor warranty
The minimum annual operating hours for motors to qualify for rebates is 3,000 out of a possible 8,760 hours.
For additional resources regarding motor systems management, visit
www.motorsmatter.org.
See
www.motorsmatter.org/resources/MDM.Product.List.pdf for a full MDM product list. For detailed motor efficiency information, visit
www.nema.org/gov/energy/efficiency/premium. For pumping system improvements, visit
www.pumpsystemsmatter.org.
Note: MidAmerican Energy also provides financial incentives to help customers implement energy-efficient equipment
and systems that are not included in our prequalified equipment lists or addressed in other EnergyAdvantage programs. Cash
incentives will be customized and are based on the qualifying equipment’s higher incremental cost, peak demand reduction,
annual energy use reduction and annual energy cost savings. An application for the Custom Systems program must be received
and preapproved by MidAmerican Energy prior to the customer’s purchase and installation of equipment or systems to be
eligible for a rebate. MidAmerican Energy can provide technical assistance to expedite the rebate application process.
View our
Custom Systems guidelines for additional information.
Although noted in the nonresidential prescriptive program brochures’ Terms and Conditions
(“Rebates exceeding $10,000 require preapproval by MidAmerican Energy Company.”),
preapproval is
NOT required for nonresidential prescriptive projects exceeding
$10,000. Preapproval is still required in the Custom Systems program.
Brochure and Application Form
Learn how adding flexibility to production processes can make a big difference in operational
efficiency by reviewing a
full brochure
of our Motors program. If you're planning a purchase of qualifying equipment or if you've
recently purchased qualifying equipment, print and complete our
premium motor application form
to apply for a rebate.
You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your hard drive to view PDF files. Download a free copy by visiting the
Adobe Download Site.
Questions?
Call our representatives at
800-894-9599.