Electric motor efficiency in China

Most motor systems installed in China have about 20-30% less efficiency than advanced models found elsewhere. And there is a gap between Chinese motors and foreign models in terms of service life, reliability, materials consumption, noise and vibration.

So say authors from the China Energy Conservation Association and the International Copper Association Ltd. in China. Speaking at the International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Motor Driven Systems held in France last year, Xin Sheng and Zhao Kai said more than 80% of all motors in China are small and medium-sized asynchronous models between 0.55 and 220 kW. Their average efficiency is only 87%, 5% lower than international versions. Their operational efficiency is even 20% lower.

The authors also say China has efficiency standards for small and medium-sized three-phase asynchronous motors, but motor efficiency certification faces certain difficulties because there is a wide gap in terms of capacity and quality between different motor manufacturers.

In addition, the promotion of energy efficient products in China leaves a lot to be desired. For example, mechanisms like the Energy Management Contract (EMC) are not widely adopted, and national preferential fiscal and tax policies on energy efficient products are not fully implemented.

You can read their paper here:

http://www1.cetim.fr/eemods09/pages/programme/058-Sheng-final.pdf