The extended product approach

Some energy-using equipment savings potential is largely already being harvested through EU regulations currently in force. The remaining energy savings potential at the component level is marginal, or the cost of regulation is not worth the resulting benefit. In such cases, cost-effective energy savings might still be possible by extending the equipment boundaries.

The additional savings potential is derived from the “extended product” approach by taking the following into account:

• Additional components with an influence on energy efficiency; and
• Interactions between components.

Take, for example, a centrifugal pump driven by an AC motor controlled by a frequency converter (VSD).

Source:  Hugh Falkner (Atkins), "EU Motor Regulation", presentation at Motors Conference ECI (April 2016)

In contrast to a pure product approach, the extended product approach will take into account the VSD controlling motor speed and torque, the cable connections between the mains and the VSD and between the VSD and the motor, the shaft between the motor and the pump, and the pump inlet and outlet.

Another telling example is a lighting system. Energy efficiency will not come from a high-efficiency light bulb alone. The lamp fixture, the way the light beam is focused, and the way the lamp is operated (including occupancy control and dimming) are equally important for making the system energy efficient.