AEP Ohio Offers Incentives for Electric Motor Repairs

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AEP OhioAEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power, in partnership with Advanced Energy, has launched a new energy efficiency program for electric motor rewinds.

The Emotor Rewind Pilot Program promotes energy efficient rewinds/motor repair for small to large companies in the industrial/manufacturing sector and provides incentives to customers and motor service centers. The program covers three-phase induction motors rated from 300 to 5,000 horsepower (HP) and is expected to achieve annual energy savings of 5,900 kWh to 116,000 kWh, depending on the motor size. An efficient motor rewind also provides for cooler operation of the motor resulting in a longer motor life. AEP Ohio customers located in Ohio will receive $2 per HP and certified motor service centers will receive $1 per HP.

The first two companies to receive Emotor Rewind Pilot Program certification are Hannon Electric Company, of Canton, Ohio, and Electric Motor & Service Company of Zanesville, Ohio. Motor service centers must be certified by Advanced Energy - an engineering services firm that will provide energy efficiency verification for the motor rewind program.

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers and is a unit of American Electric Power.

Analysis: Perhaps this energy efficiency program from AEP Ohio is partly a public relations maneuver in a state that’s been criticized for its energy efficiency and renewables stance.

Ohio made news in 2014 when it passed Senate Bill 310 that froze the state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy mandates at 2014 levels until 2017. Critics of the legislation lambasted the bill saying it would effectively halt energy efficiency programs in the state.

In February 2015, solar advocacy groups The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC) and Tell Utilities Solar won’t be Killed (TUSK) jointly launched a watchdog site, unamericanelectricpower.com, dedicated to what the groups call “deceptive behavior from American Electric Power and its affiliates…highlighting tactics AEP uses to eliminate the rooftop solar market in all of their territories."

Environment + Energy Leader