December 25, 2006—Raser Technologies, Inc., an energy technology company that develops and licenses electric motor, controller and related technologies, has announced performance test results of its Symetron FlexMod controller technology, designed for reducing costs and improving efficiencies in a variety of variable speed industrial applications including heating ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
The testing was part of a study conducted by Advanced Energy on behalf of the Department of Energy and the State Technology Advancement Cooperative (STAC). Independent testing conducted by Advanced Energy demonstrated up to 10% improvement on average in system efficiency when compared to a leading variable speed drive system, says Raser.
Advanced Energy reported the test results to the Department of Energy and recommended that the results of this study be provided to major motor manufacturers and the utility industry in order to reduce energy costs in the industrial, residential and hybrid vehicle markets.
Most of the electricity generated in the US is used by electric motors. Many of these motors operate inefficiently because of changing loads or less than optimum control schemes. Many of the systems use a simple “on-off” control system which is less expensive but also less efficient.
The US Department of Energy estimates that improved system controls including variable speed drives could save nearly 15,000 gigawatt-hours per year in electrical energy and potentially $900 million dollars per year in energy savings in pump, fan and compressed air systems alone.
“Symetron FlexMod technology has the potential for significant market value by helping to make variable speed, high efficiency HVAC systems more affordable and more efficient,” said Tom Kaporch, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Raser Technologies.
