Motors and Drives

Inside Advanced Energy’s Motor Test Lab | June 2006

A quarterly electronic publication for companies applying electric motors

World’s Largest Pool and Spa Pump Manufacturer collaborates with Advanced Energy to Bridge the Gap Between Innovation and Market Acceptance
"Validating Motors for Your Equipment" Article Gets Published by E-Drive Magazine

Consulting - not just testing anymore ...
In the summer of 2005, Pentair Water Pool and Spa (Pentair), the largest manufacturer of pool and spa pumps in the world, came to us to investigate ways that they might be able to best utilize our services. Pentair has strong relationships with their motor suppliers and operates a lab capable of testing motors among other things. Pentair recognized that we can do more than just testing and scheduled a meeting to discuss several issues related to their products. Because of our non-disclosure agreement with them we can only reveal what has been publicly disclosed thus far.

During late 2005, Advanced Energy discovered a funding opportunity that appeared to hold great potential for one of the opportunities previously discussed with Pentair. With Pentair’s approval and assistance, Advanced Energy submitted a response to a Request for Information (RFI) under the Innovative Designs for Energy Efficiency (InDEE) program at Southern California Edison (SCE). Our response passed the first stage of review and was invited to participate in the full Request for Proposals where it was awarded almost $500,000 in 2006 with the opportunity for additional awards in years 2007 and 2008.

The proposal outlined a plan to promote, sell and ultimately install variable speed pool pumping systems, named IntelliFloTM, in SCE’s service territory. The program also includes training distributors and installers on the IntelliFlo system, procedures to verify progress toward the energy savings target, measures customer satisfaction for people receiving one of the IntelliFlo units, and includes rebates for end users and installers. The program also requires an extensive tracking and reporting mechanism to SCE and the California Public Utility Commission (where the funding mechanisms originate). Advanced Energy found the opportunity, was instrumental in getting the winning bid submitted and is now helping manage the program by developing the reporting mechanism required and tracking results. The program kicks off this month.

The projected energy benefits for California from this program are 1.1 MW in demand reduction with 1.2 GWh of energy saved in 2006. A second utility in California is seriously considering a similar program that would include installing almost five times the number of IntelliFlo units SCE is planning for 2006. When both programs are up and running the energy savings for California and demand reduction will be significant.

Scott Levin, President Pentair Water Pool & Spa, Sanford, N.C., spoke at the June 14, 2006, N.C. Utility Commission Meeting about Advanced Energy and the SCE Program and said, “Advanced Energy brought us the SCE opportunity in our largest market, helped develop a winning proposal and now as the contract manager are helping us execute it. With their help, we now have identified other opportunities to bridge the gap between innovation and market acceptance. As a result, pool owners, utilities, N.C. workforce and Pentair benefits.” We appreciate Scott’s kind words about Advanced Energy and will continue to strive to provide all of our clients with the utmost value as a result of our efforts for and with them.

E-Drive Magazine Article
Look for the article entitled, "Validating Motors for your Equipment" by David Berkowitz, director of OEM Test Services in the June / July 2006 E-Drive Magazine. If you do not already receive this magazine, you can subscribe at www.E-DriveOnline.com.