Electrical Energy Efficiency

Introduction of Electrical energy efficiency in Low-Voltage electrical installations

Draft for a new IEC standard
At an hour when advices for energy efficiency are to be written, the challenge is to aim at completed general installations rules for electrical installations of buildings, in the way to obtain the highest possible service for the lowest energy consumption. This shall be true in new and also in existing buildings.

electrical energy efficiency

Energy efficiency principles shall integrate general rules for electrical installations design. In this way, even if compelled by national regulations, building designers and contractors shall specify the level of performance to achieve.

This level of performance shall be achieved following a methodology to be defined. For this, recommendations for cable sizing, type of lamps and luminaires, proximity for uses, optimization of distribution, choice for motors, Joule losses,… shall be taken into account for an installation when designed.

Implementations of those recommendations will be taken in accordance with building characteristics such as orientation, materials, …. Priority continuing to be given to safety of persons and properties.
To implement those recommendations and to achieve some performance levels, measures should be required per areas and/or uses of building either to be treated straight away or programmed, either to be compared to baselines or registered values to decided for actions.

Further, measurement shall be collected, analyzed, and compared so that they could impact verifications, maintenance and upgrading of installations.
It should take into account the distribution of power in buildings (AC and DC circuits) and, if any, generators (generating sets, PV , wind turbine, cogeneration …).

Impact of Smart Metering and associated communication infrastructure (specification out of the scope of this standard) should also be considered.

Efficient use of electrical energy consists, in appropriate installation, control and automation of current-using-equipment, such as cooling or heating systems, blinds, air conditioning installations, lightings, …
Treatment of energy losses can also be achieved by collecting the energy consumption data by area and/or by use. Then, the information shall be treated to improve the efficiency : reduction of consumption, treatment of harmonics, load-shedding, improvement of equipment, compliance of materials with use, energy demand management, choice for priorities, power factor upgrading, change or diversification of electrical sources,  …

• All categories of buildings shall be concerned: factories, housings, shops, …
• All fields are concerned: building automation, energy efficient lighting, home energy efficiency, energy efficient heating …
• Involving all actors : end users, electrical designers and contractors, manufacturers, controllers, electricity distributors and suppliers…

IEC in which I am an active member is willing to write a draft addressing this important subject; for those who want to know more about it, you can reach this preliminary proposal here:  IEC 60364-8-1_v13_NP_Draft


– IEC standard draft Electrical energy efficiency within low-voltage electrical installations –
This proposal could be introduced in future in the IEC 60364 as a new part 8. I am interested to have your comments and any reaction about it,  just place your comments below…


Etienne TISON

Appendix of the Draft is the following: (23 pages)

1     Scope.
2    Normative references.
3     Definitions.
3.1    Electrical energy efficiency.
3.2    Current-using-equipment
3.3    Electrical distribution system.
3.4    Installation monitoring system.
3.5    Electrical Energy Efficiency profile.
4     Generals.
4.1    Main objectives.
4.2    Electrical Energy Efficiency and safety.
4.3    Main sectors of economical activity.
5     Key points to address when designing new installations.
5.1    Renewable power supplies.
5.2    Voltage rating.
5.3    Optimization of power demand.
5.4    Determination of energy use.
5.5    Determination of zones.
5.6    Impact on electrical installations architectures.
6     Iterative process for existing installations.
6.1    Presentation of iterative process.
6.2    Global methodology for the iterative process.
6.2.1    Generals.
6.2.2    Energy performance contract
6.2.3    Building management system.
6.2.4    Equipment performance.
6.2.5    Verification.
6.2.6    Maintenance.
7     Achievement of methods and means worth for Electrical Energy Efficiency.
7.1    Generals.
7.2    Achievement Level (AL)
7.3    Efficiency of current-using-equipment
7.3.1    Generals.
7.3.2    Motors.
7.3.3    Lighting.
7.3.4    HVAC.
7.4    Efficiency of electrical distribution system.
7.4.1    Generals.
7.4.2    Transformers.
7.4.3    Wiring systems.
7.4.4    Compensation of reactive energy.
7.4.5    Electrical distribution equipment using semi-conductors.
7.4.6    Load shedding.
7.4.7    Automated Metering Management (AMM)
7.4.8    Monitoring capability of the Electrical Distribution System.
7.5    Installation monitoring system.
7.5.1    Generals.
7.5.2    Energy.
7.5.3    Power demand as a function of time.
7.5.4    Voltage.
7.5.5    Power factor
7.5.6    Harmonics and inter-harmonics.
7.6    Renewable energy.
8     Performance levels worth for Electrical Energy Efficiency.
8.1    Generals.
8.2    Consumption distribution.
8.3    Performance level of installation power factor
8.4    Performance level of transformer efficiency.
8.5    Other performance level
9     Installation profiles and installation classes.
9.1    Installation profiles.
9.2    Installation classes.