A new report, commissioned by the 4E TCP, explores opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of systems using modelling and monitoring in regulations. The learnings found in the report were applied to an electric motor related case study system: compressed air systems.
Realising the large yet largely untapped potential for energy savings in systems will require innovative policy approaches. The current work finds that while modelling and monitoring are not yet independently robust enough to regulate efficiency in compressed air systems, a smart combination of prescriptive requirements, certified models, acceptance testing, and continuous monitoring has strong potential. Foundational elements like test methods, accurate models, databases of parts performance, reporting standards, and a policy framework to enable the approach will need to be developed through further research, stakeholder engagement and policy design. By strategically advancing these building blocks, policy makers and energy efficiency proponents can expand the horizons of product policy and drive major reductions in energy use and emissions from these critical end-use systems.
