Technical note: Life cycle cost analysis of design options selection for energy efficiency improvement of electric motor

Abstract

Literature on energy efficiency standards and labels for electric motor are widely available. However, very limited articles discussed about the method to calculate life-cycle cost analysis of potential energy efficiency improvement for electric motor. This paper presents the life-cycle cost analysis of energy efficiency improvement of electric motor based on engineering/economic analysis. The least efficient model from a survey in the market was selected as a baseline model. The method includes the selection of design options that will increase efficiency and calculate its life cycle cost (LCC) analysis and payback period. LCC was calculated as a function of several design options based on potential efficiency improvement. The study found that, efficiency improvement can be achieved, if manufacturers willing to adopt more efficient design options with a little additional investment for the product. Furthermore, the method can be used for other product without major modification.