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February 14, 2008
Xcel Finances Super-Efficient Motor Controller for DIA Walkways
In December, Denver International Airport (DIA)
selected the Power Efficiency Corporation to install super-efficient
motor controllers on 160 elevators, escalators, and passenger
walkways. The controller takes advantage of power electronics that
soft-start the motors and operate them at the most efficient points
on their power curves as loads vary.
In the past, energy-efficient motors operated at
different speeds in order to meet variable loads more efficiently.
However, that doesn’t work for elevators since people expect to get
to the next floor quickly. On the other hand, single-speed motors
that might work for elevators do not work for escalators, because
they become very inefficient at light loads when no one is riding
the escalators. Power electronics allow the motors to operate at a
single speed while continuously maximizing power usage. Power
Efficiency Corporation claims its controllers reduce energy
consumption up to 35% over conventional single-speed motors.
According to DIA Manager of Aviation Turner West,
Denver will save 2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year from the
installations and will reduce its annual energy bills by more than
$100,000.
The project was partially financed through Xcel
Energy's Conservation Wise program, which provides rebates for
commercial customers to install energy efficient equipment. With the
rebates, the payback on DIA’s investment is reduced to about three
years.
For more information about the project, see the
Power Efficiency Corp. December 11 press release.
http://www.powerefficiency.com/article/article_11dec07.php
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