The global market for energy-efficient motors is projected to increase an average rate of 19.67 percent each year between 2012 and 2018 as various sectors – from industrial companies to aerospace and defense companies – look for more effective ways to power their machinery, a report by Markets and Markets said. The energy-efficient motors market is expected to reach $91.46 by 2018, up from $31.79 billion in 2012.

This upward trend in market growth could be attributed to global government regulations that require manufacturers to boost their energy efficiency.  These types of motors also help companies meet their power consumption targets. Several types of motors are included in the energy-efficient motors market, including motors made using permanent magnets as well as brushless and brushed DC motors. Not only do manufacturers conserve energy by switching to improved motors, they can also reduce their environmental impact.

"The operating cost of the energy-efficient motors is much lesser as compared to the standard motors due to the low energy cost and minimum CO2 emission," the MarketsandMarkets report said. "The demand for energy-efficient motors is continuously increasing and replacing the standard motors in different sectors."

Companies producing advanced motors
Manufacturers and engineers are continually churning out advanced motors with energy firm National Energy Technologies recently revealing a more efficient motor to its product line. Known as Electronically Commutated motors, National Energy Technologies said the motor has an efficiency level of 70 percent and can run longer than standard fan motors to be used for applications in cooling, ventilation and ice and vending machines.

"These motors utilize a low friction bearing system that assures long life, consistent speed and high running smoothness," the release by the company said. "This fan has [three] pre-determined fan speed settings and uses a soft start feature for quiet ramp up to desired speed."

Federal regulations influence motor standards
In addition to fan motors, motors that have a higher efficiency level than regular motors, such as permanent magnet motors, can also increase energy savings by improving renewable energy technologies themselves. As the wind industry seeks to reduce the costs associated with wind power generation, wind energy companies may want to incorporate the latest industrial technologies and processes that will make them more competitive and comply with federal energy regulations, according to Wind Power Engineering & Development.

With international governments looking for new ways to improve energy conservation, the market for energy-efficient motors is likely to steadily increase and stay on track for upward growth.

Under the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC), the Department of Energy plans to research technologies that would increase industrial sustainability. For part of this sustainability initiative, the DOE would also implement rebate programs for constant speed electric motor controls as well as establish standards for industrial electric motors. As these federal regulations aim to cut the amount of energy consumption from U.S. industries, firms could look into installing energy-efficient wind turbine motors to boost productivity while generating energy savings at the same time.