Commercial and Industrial Pumps

AGENCY:

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.

ACTION:

Request for Information (RFI).

SUMMARY:

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.) prescribes energy conservation standards for certain commercial and industrial equipment, and requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to administer an energy conservation program for the equipment. In this notice, DOE requests information from interested parties regarding product markets, energy use, test procedures, and energy efficient product designs for commercial and industrial pumps. Additional input and suggestions relevant to this equipment are also welcome.

DATES:

Written comments and information are requested by July 13, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons may submit comments in writing, identified by docket number EERE-2011-BT-STD-0031, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: Pumps-RFI-2011-STD-0031@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE-2011-BT-STD-0031 and/or RIN 1904-AC54 in the subject line of the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Request for Information for Commercial and Industrial Pumps, EERE-2011-BT-STD-0031 and/or RIN 1904-AC54, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one signed paper original.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one signed paper original.
• Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, visit the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the above telephone number for additional information regarding visiting the Resource Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Charles Llenza, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2192. E-mail: Charles.Llenza@ee.doe.gov.

In the Office of General Counsel, Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. E-mail: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Statutory Authority

Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.), sets forth various provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part C of EPCA includes measures to improve the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial equipment. See 42 U.S.C. 6311-6316.

Section 6311(A) includes electric motors and pumps as “covered equipment.” Section 6316(a) describes how provisions in Part A (which concerns “Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles”) apply to industrial equipment, which includes pumps.

Sections 6314 and 6315 concern test procedures and labeling, respectively, for covered equipment. The provisions in these sections, in combination with section 6316(a), give DOE authority to establish test procedures and to prescribe a labeling rule for pumps.

Based on the information DOE receives in response to this Request for Information, DOE will determine whether to initiate a rulemaking to establish a test procedure, energy conservation standard, or labeling requirement for commercial and industrial pumps.

2. Evaluation of Pumps as Covered Equipment

EPCA lists several specific types of “industrial equipment” as “covered equipment,” including electric motors and pumps. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1))

DOE estimates that commercial, industrial, and agricultural pumps consume approximately 0.63 quads per year of electricity and that technologies exist that can reduce this consumption by approximately 0.190 quads annually.

DOE used industry and census data to calculate the average establishment energy use for pumps.

Industrial Pumps

Several estimates have been made of industrial pump electricity use. Four are discussed here. The most recent, made for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Industrial Technologies program by Energetics Incorporated, states that the total industrial energy use of industrial pumps is estimated to be 185,000 million kWh or 0.63 quads site energy use. The machine drive energy data used in this estimate ( http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/rd/footprints.html ) were primarily provided by the DOE Energy Information Administration's (EIA's) Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS). The machine drive energy includes pump energy and reflects consumption in the year 2006, when the survey was last completed.

Another recent report for the United Nations (“Motor System Efficiency Supply Curves UNIDO,” Dec. 2010), also used the 2006 MECS data. The total industrial energy use was estimated to be 126,180 million kWh or 0.43 quads site energy use. Part of the reason for the lower estimate in this study is that the authors listed a lower value for the petroleum refining industry than any of the other three studies.

An earlier study conducted for DOE, “United States Industrial Electric Motor Systems Opportunities Assessment, December, 2002,” estimated energy used by pumps in the manufacturing sector. This energy use estimate did not include agriculture, oil and gas extraction, water and wastewater, or mineral mining. Standard Industrial Codes (SICs) from 20-39 (except for 21 and 39) were included in the analysis. The site energy use estimated for the year 1994 was 142,690 million kWh or 0.49 quads site energy use. Table 2.1 lists the energy use for each industry analyzed.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) 2003 report “Realizing Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Industrial Fan and Pump Systems” summarizes the energy use of pumps in a variety of industrial settings (including manufacturing, mining, and agriculture). The report provides total electricity consumption and an estimate of the energy savings possible if available technologies were utilized. The report estimates the total annual agricultural and industrial electricity demand for pumps to be 140.6 billion kWh or 0.480 quads of site energy use.

The studies cited above (see Table 2.3) provide estimates of total annual pump energy use ranging from about 126,000 million kWh to 185,000 million kWh (about 0.43 to 0.63 quads) of site energy use. All the studies excluded oil and gas extraction, and water and wastewater pumping. All the studies found that the paper, chemical, and petroleum and coal products manufacturing industries are the three leading users of pump energy. If the total industrial energy use is estimated using the most recent MECS and including all of the petroleum refining industry pump energy use, an estimate of 0.63 quads of site electricity use is derived. The primary energy use is about three times the site energy use, or 1.9 quads.

Based on U.S. Census data, the number of establishments involved in mining, manufacturing, and agriculture is estimated as follows.

Using the highest estimate, the average per-establishment energy use for pumps for agricultural, manufacturing, and mining establishments in 2006 was 1.27 million kWh.

Commercial Building Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Pumps

Based on a 1999 analysis by Arthur D. Little, Inc. (ADL), the average per-establishment energy use for pumps in commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications for 1999 was about 8.5 MWh, which exceeds 150 kWh for the 12-month period of 1999. The ADL analysis, “Energy Consumption Characteristics of Commercial Building HVAC Systems,” Volume 2, used EIA's 1999 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey data to develop its estimate.

a. Savings Estimate

Reports cited in this RFI estimate potential energy savings from pumps of 10 percent to 50 percent. Because these estimates include a variety of system and pump efficiency measures including proper sizing of equipment, the lowest energy savings estimate of 10 percent, based on an European Union (EU) study of pump efficiencies (cited in (c) below), is assumed for the pump efficiency alone. If that estimate is converted to primary energy, the savings are estimated to be 0.19 quads. The potential for energy savings is concentrated in paper manufacturing, mining, chemical manufacturing, petroleum and coal products manufacturing, and primary metal manufacturing, which account for 75 percent of the potential total energy savings from industrial pumps.

b. Efficiency Considerations

Pump system efficiencies depend on design factors such as surface roughness, internal clearances, solids handling capability, curve shape, mechanical shaft seal losses, and other factors.

c. Summary of Data and Calculations

Analyses based on data from the 2003 EU “European Guide to Pump Efficiency for Single Stage Centrifugal Pumps” show that for typical flow rates it is reasonable to expect an efficiency improvement of 10 percent from the mean pump efficiency to the maximum practically attainable level.

3. Other Regulatory Programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DOE jointly administer the voluntary ENERGY STAR labeling program ( http://www.energystar.gov ) for various products and equipment. ENERGY STAR currently has no labeling program for energy-efficient pumps. Some states, including California, have prescribed standards and other regulations regarding pumps, in particular for hydronic systems, including a requirement for variable speed drives on pumps larger than 5 horsepower (California Energy Commission, “2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings,” effective January 1, 2010, Section 144(j)).

4. Regulatory Scope

DOE has not previously conducted an energy conservation standard rulemaking for pumps. With this notice, DOE states its intention to evaluate the energy savings potential of energy conservation standards, labels, or both for commercial and industrial pumps. DOE requests information from interested parties regarding product markets, energy use, test procedures, and energy efficient product design. After public comment on this RFI, DOE will consider developing test procedures and energy conservation standards or labels for this equipment.

Test procedures prescribed in accordance with EPACT 2005 “shall be reasonably designed to produce test results which reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated operating costs of a type of industrial equipment (or class thereof) during a representative average use cycle (as determined by the Secretary), and shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct.” (42 U.S.C. 6314) In a test procedure rulemaking, DOE prepares a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and allows interested parties to present oral and written data, views, and arguments with respect to such procedures. In prescribing new test procedures, DOE takes into account relevant information including technological developments relating to energy use or energy efficiency of pumps.

With respect to rulemakings for energy conservation standards, DOE typically prepares a framework document, which describes the issues, analyses, and process that it is considering for the development of energy conservation standards. After receiving comments on the framework document, DOE typically prepares a preliminary analysis and technical support document (TSD). The preliminary analysis typically provides initial draft analyses of potential energy conservation standards on consumers, manufacturers, and the nation. None of these steps is required by statute.

DOE is required to publish a NOPR for new or amended conservation standards. The NOPR presents DOE's proposal for potential energy conservations standards and a summary of the results of DOE's supporting technical analysis. The details of DOE's standards analysis are provided in a TSD that describes both the burdens and benefits of potential standards, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(B)(i). After the publication of the NOPR, DOE affords interested persons an opportunity during a period of not less than 60 days to provide oral and written comment. After receiving and considering the comments on the NOPR and not less than 90 days after the publication of the NOPR, DOE issues any final rule prescribing new or amended energy conservation standards.

5. Potential Definition(s)

DOE will consider adding a definition for “Commercial, Industrial, and Agricultural Pumps (Pumps)” in the Code of Federal Regulations to clarify coverage of any potential test procedure or energy conservation standard. There currently is no statutory definition of pumps. DOE is considering the following definitions of pumps for potential test procedures and energy conservation standards and to provide clarity for interested parties as it continues its analyses. DOE seeks feedback from interested parties on the following potential definition(s) of pumps.

a. Definition of Rotodynamic Pumps

Rotodynamic pumps are kinetic machines that impart energy continuously to the pumped fluid by means of a rotating impeller, propeller, or rotor. The most common types of rotodynamic pumps are centrifugal (radial), mixed flow, and axial flow pumps.

i. Centrifugal (Radial) Flow

Centrifugal pumps use bladed impellers with essentially radial outlets to transfer rotational mechanical energy to the fluid, primarily by increasing the fluid kinetic energy (angular momentum) and also increasing potential energy (static pressure). Kinetic energy is then converted into usable pressure energy in the discharge collector.

Centrifugal pumps that have single inlet impellers usually have a specific speed below approximately 90 (4,500). Those having double-suction impellers usually have a specific speed below approximately 135 (7,000). In pumps of this type, the liquid enters the impeller at the hub and flows radially to the periphery, exiting perpendicular to the rotating shaft.

ii. Mixed Flow

This type of pump has a single inlet impeller whereby the flow enters axially and discharges in a mixed axial and radial direction. Pumps of this type usually have a specific speed that ranges from approximately 90 (4,500) to 200 (10,000).

iii. Axial Flow

A pump of this type, sometimes called a propeller pump, has a single inlet impeller. The flow enters axially and discharges nearly axially. Pumps of this type usually have a specific speed above approximately 200 (10,000).

b. Definition of Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive displacement pumps add energy by trapping liquid in a confined space and forcibly moving it out of the pump and into the discharge pipe. This pumping action is accomplished by one of three methods:

(1) Reciprocating action of plungers, pistons, bellows or diaphragms;

(2) Rotary action of mechanical devices such as gears, screws, vanes, etc.; or

(3) Blow case arrangements using pressurized air to displace liquid.

Public Participation

A. Submission of Information

DOE will accept information and data in response to this Request for Information as provided in the DATES section above. Information submitted to the Department by e-mail should be provided in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text file format. Those responding should avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption, and wherever possible, comments should include the electronic signature of the author. Comments submitted to the Department by mail or hand delivery/courier should include one signed original paper copy. No telefacsimiles will be accepted. Comments submitted in response to this notice will become a matter of public record and will be made publicly available.

B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Information

DOE welcomes comments on the energy use and energy efficiency of commercial and industrial pumps and related issues. DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments from interested parties on the following issues:

(1) Definition(s) of pumps, pump product classes, and diversity of pump types within pump product classes;

(2) Energy use by pumps as summarized in Table 3.1;

(3) Overview of the industrial and commercial pump market, including shipments and efficiencies ranges;

(4) Availability and applicability of U.S. and international test procedures for pumps;

(5) Assistance and resources available from stakeholders, states, local jurisdictions, and others.