Original Date: 11/03/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) played a lead role in the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Motor Challenge program. Initiated in 1993, the Motor Challenge program promotes energy efficiency practices in motor-driven systems and challenges manufacturing companies to replace inefficient motors with efficient ones whenever economically possible. The Motor Master software, developed by ORNL, comprises a key component of the Motor Challenge program. The software consists of a catalog which lists motors, efficiency data, and pricing information. Organized in a database, the information also provides a list of options, in order of efficiency, for replacing a specific motor. In addition, the Motor Master software can evaluate the efficiency of a rewound motor versus a new one.

The Motor Challenge program operates a clearinghouse which handles hundreds of reports on the energy efficiency of electric, motor-driven systems, including pumps, fans, and compressors. Companies can obtain the information on these systems through the clearinghouse. The Motor Challenge program has also conducted 20 showcase demonstrations in industrial settings. ORNL performed an independent validation of energy savings achieved in the industrial projects.

In April 1996, the Oak Ridge Motor Efficiency and Load (ORMEL) software became available through the Motor Challenge program. The ORMEL software provides interactive modeling of motor performance for the user. The user enters the motor’s measured speed, current, voltage, and power. The software then provides the motor’s torque output and efficiency. ORNL is currently distributing the ORMEL software.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.