Transformers Breakout Session CEE Program Committee Meeting September 12, 2000 Portland, Oregon Meeting Notes

Moderator: Ted Jones CEE

Presentors: Steve Ryan EPA Steve Nadel ACEEE Jim Seigmund The Cadmus Group

Attendees: JP Gordon Montana Power Co. David Christie McMinnville Water & Light Bill Startt GDS Associates Rob Bordner Energy Market Innovations, Inc. Liz Klumpp WA  CTED Bob Nicholas Snohomish County PUD Blair Collins Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Joelle Steward WUTC Syd France Puget Sound Energy Stan Price Northwest Energy Efficiency Council Jim Rooks J&R Consulting, Inc. Jeff Harris The Berkeley Lab Fred Dreher Aspen Systems, Inc. Janis Erikson SMUD Mahri Lowinger CEE

Purpose: To present an overview of the CEE C&I Transformers Initiative, EPAs Energy Star Transformers Program and to discuss recent developments.

Key Comments:

Energy Star Transformers- Steve Ryan presented an overview of EPA transformers activities. He pointed out that EPAs efforts are currently concentrated on building demand for high-efficiency transformers and coordinating outreach to increase awareness.

ACEEE/NYSERDA Efforts  Steve Nadel gave the group an overview of ACEEE/NYSERDA efforts in promoting TP-1 transformers and developments in national standards setting. Steve explained that ACEEE/NYSERDA efforts are primarily information and are focused on adapting national tools to the state of NY. NYSERDA provides one-on-one technical assistance and currently offers customized and several new construction incentives. NYSERDA is developing a standard incentive that will use the Transformer Efficiency Calculator tool. The state of New York is considering adopting TP-1 into the building code.

National Standards Development  DOE is developing a test procedure based on NEMA TP-2. They will be holding a kick-off meeting November 1, 2000 to get input for a rulemaking. The rulemaking process takes three years to complete. The earliest possibility for a TP-1 standard to take effect would be in 2007 which gives plenty of time to push TP-1 on a local level. In particular this allows for time to set building codes standards and to push for a standard for medium-voltage equipment or other sizes. At the moment, California is considering minimum efficiency standards.

Energy Savings/Techical Aspects  Jim Seigmund did a demo of the Transformer Efficiency Calculator tool and gave an overview of energy savings opportunities from TP-1 transformers. He mentioned that the type of steel used and conductors can save on losses. The cost of electricity in a region and the purchase price of a transformer are the determination factors used by the TEC to decide what are the best transformer options. There were a few questions raised about harmonics. Jim mentioned that nobody seems to know enough about harmonics. Harmonics are measured when meters are installed and removed. Harmonics will have very low effects based on losses. Energy Star transformers work better when harmonics are present than standard transformers. Energy Star transformers are not required where K-rated transformers are purchased, however, K-rated are more expensive than standard transformers. Harmonic transformers tend to be specialty products and are often expensive, costing as much as three times more than standard transformers.

-- Mahri Lowinger (mlowinger@ceeformt.org), September 27, 2000