Transformers Working Group Codes/Standards Conference Call 10/16/00

Attendees: David Weitz, Mass Board of Building Regulators Bruce Nelson, MN Dept. of Commerce Randall Lloyd, VT Dept. of Public Services Bob Huang, The Cadmus Group Eric Noble, NEEP Gary Fernstrom, PG&E Adam Hinge, NEEP Stuart Slote, NEEP Jeff Johnson, NBI/PG&E Mike Burnetter, NY DOS Ray Andrews, NY DOS John Addario, NY DOS Ted Jones, CEE Mahri Lowinger, CEE

Purpose: To review existing codes/specs in WI, MA and MN and discuss activity related to codes development in other states such as NY, VT and CA including model code language. To discuss ASHRAE 90.1, IECC and DOE standards development.

Key Comments: Wisconsin – WI code requiring TP-1 transformers has been in effect since July 1999. The WI DPS is preparing to hire a contractor to do implementation and education. There will be a summer rulemaking for the electrical code.

Massachusetts – The code in Massachusetts is not Energy Star, but TP-1. The earliest enforcement of TP-1 will be next year. Adam mentioned that equipment availability is not an issue. With no enforcement of the TP-1 requirement so far, compliant equipment has comprised 5-15% of sales. The Mass. BBRs is conducting a series of training sessions for engineers and facilitators that describe the requirement. So far they have held 80 seminars. There is a split between seminars that cover electrical and envelope portions of the code. So far for the portion that covers transformers had had 1500 attendees. The section on power distribution, which covers lighting has been least attended with only 300 attendees. The seminars are funded by utilities. MA refers only to the TP-1 tables not the entire document, so the exceptions are excluded from the law.

California - Jeff Johnson from NBI, who is under contract from PG&E mentioned that PG&E is reluctant to embrace Energy Star because their approach to transformers is more of a sliding scale, versus specifying TP-1 specifically. In this way, ENERGY STAR is better suited for voluntary activities. Regarding the CA Appliance Standards (Title 20), energy efficiency standards for transformers are being considered based on TP-1. Action must be taken within 120 days. This is based on power reliability process. Regulation would not be put into effect until sometime before January 2001, but this is dependent upon manufacturer input. The biggest challenge here is time. The timeline for input for a codes change in Nov. 1. Jeff suggested that CEE post links to all the codes websites for each state/agency in order to share information and language, specifically for ASHRAE and IEEC. In addition to posting the web links, it would probably be useful to post contacts for each state.

Gary Fernstrom said that PG&E would be interested in data that would allow it to promote products with efficiencies higher than TP-1. PG&E would consider providing incentives for such products on a prescriptive basis if they are cost-effective (incremental prices vs. incremental savings). Dave Korn said he would provide the group with data on products that are higher than TP-1 but less efficient than amorphous core products.

New York - NY is incorporating TP-1 into its next energy code with the NEMA tables and exceptions.

Vermont - Randall Lloyd mentioned that in writing the code language for Vermont they may not include liquid and just use dry-type language.

ASHRAE - TP-1 rulemaking was deferred until their January meeting.

ICEE – the New Buildings Institute is putting together a list of submissions to the ICEE, transformers is on it.

Harmonics - There is still questions among people on the call about harmonics. Jeff Johnson agreed to circulate a paper “Final Codes and Standards Enhancement Study” on Dry-type transformers that he worked on for PG&E which addresses some of the concerns surrounding harmonics. Square D also has a paper that was used at the NEMA meeting posted on their website that suggests that harmonics be taken out. Square D also has a presentation with information on product selection guidelines that adresses this. IEEC also has technical papers on their website.

DOE Workshop - The DOE test procedure hearing is scheduled for Nov. 1 in Washington, DC. It is a draft framework for national efficiency standards for distribution transformers. They are only talking about comments.

NEMA TP-1 - There seemed to be some confusion about the ANSI 57 terms cited in TP-1. We need to clarify them, particularly with regard to producing comments for DOE. Bob Huang will check in his library to see if he can find any definitions.

Research Question: How many medium-voltage products are owned by customers? Need survey to figure out how many CEE members deliver medium-voltage service to customers that then would require the customer to have a product to step-down the line voltage PG&E has said that they probably have very few.

Next Steps: * This codes group will reconvene in another 3-6 months to check in on progress. * Mahri will collect links to websites for states with codes specifiying TP-1 or those with language posted in development. She will create a section on the CEE Transformers webpage for Code resources which will include these links. * Bob Huang will investigate the definitions to the ANSI terms. If he can find them he will circulate them to the group. He will also provide the Square D presentation with information on product selection. * Jeff Johnson will circulate the CASE study with information on harmonics. * Ask Phil Hopkinson why TP-1 excludes retrofits. * Get guidance on when harmonics are a problem. At what levels and under what conditions? * CEE should stay in communication with NEMA regarding any promotion of products greater than TP-1 so that they can supply products for the market.

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