US Pump Manufacturers Launch Educational Initiative

17.03.2005

The US pump manufacturers association Hydraulic Institute (HI) announces that 33 of its member companies will lead a National Pump Systems Educational and Market Transformation Initiative called “Pump Systems Matter”™ (PSM).

The program will place a primary focus on pump systems education and outreach, addressing significant energy savings opportunities, and total cost of pump ownership. The initiative is seeking the active support and involvement of non-government organizations focused on market transformation and energy-efficiency, utilities, user companies, consulting engineering firms, other associations and state and federal agencies among others. The first PSM Organization Meeting will be held in conjunction with the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) Summer Study Program in West Point, NY.

Announced at the National Market Transformation Symposium in Washington, D.C., Pump Systems Matter is the first industry-led market transformation initiative in the United States.

Optimization of pumping systems represents a significant opportunity for U.S. companies and municipalities to save money and energy while reducing maintenance costs and increasing productivity. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) studies indicate that pumping systems account for nearly 20% of the world’s electrical energy demand and range from 25% to 50% of the energy usage in certain industrial plant operations. DOE case studies have shown that better system design and more effective application of pumps can usually save 20% or more in energy costs and represent a large, frequently overlooked savings opportunity. In the face of rapidly rising energy costs, PSM will offer users very compelling, bottom-line oriented, energy savings opportunities.

HI began the national educational initiative to support the development and deployment of pump system educational materials and tools, administer related training programs and address outreach and educational efforts to various audiences. HI envisions a close working relationship with a variety of other organizations that are also encouraged to join and support this effort. The primary goal of the educational initiative will be to transform the market for pump systems and services to one based on system life cycle costs rather than equipment first costs. As anticipated by the Charter Partners, an effective pump systems educational initiative will serve to transform the market for pumps and pumping systems by:

  • Changing owner/operator and contractor focus on lowest first cost to a total life cycle cost in purchasing pumps, pump systems and services, with opportunities for significant bottom-line savings for end-users based on lower energy, maintenance costs and improved operations
  • Creating opportunities for expanded demand among owner/operators and contractors for value-added services from the pump industry and expanding the capacity within the pump industry to meet this need
  • Developing new educational materials and tools to train and educate pump and supplier OEMs, owner/operators, contractors, and others - meeting a need that is currently unfulfilled
  • Developing appropriate outreach efforts to get the message out that “Pump Systems Matter,” ™ and begining to transform the market for energy efficient pump systems and services

As a DOE Allied Partner, HI has worked closely with DOE to provide technical input for the development of the Pumping System Assessment Tool (PSAT) and offer training for Qualified Pump System Specialists. HI was also a charter sponsor of the Motor Challenge program and has a long-standing working relationship with the U.S. DOE.

The “pumps” section of the HI web site (www.pumps.org) already provides considerable “energy savings” guidance, tips, U.S. DOE case studies and tools, including downloadable versions of PSAT software for the benefit of users and non-government organizations. In support of this effort, HI has already produced globally accepted 200+ page guidelines on “Pump Life Cycle Costs: A Guide to LCC Analysis for Pumping Systems,” and “Variable Speed Pumping: A Guide to Successful Applications.” Free downloadable copies of the Executive Summary of the Pump LCC and Variable Speed Pumping Guides are available from the HI web site, www.pumps.org. HI also plans to issue “Mechanical Seals for Pumps: Application Guideline” later this year. The Institute has also created an e-Learning portal, www.pumplearning.org, which provides an educational program on “Centrifugal Pumps: Fundamentals, Design & Application.” In addition, HI offers users an extensive body of pump knowledge in its nearly 1,500 page set of pump standards, which provides considerable information and guidance on the proper selection, application, installation, operation and testing of pumps. A number of HI members have qualified PSAT specialists on the staff who can support end-users and others on the use of the tool to identify installed pumps that are candidates for significant energy savings. Additional training programs are planned as part of the PSM initiative.

“HI and the Charter Partners of Pump Systems Matter will be working with DOE and other leading energy-focused, market transformation and end-user organizations to advance the concepts of total cost of pump ownership. End-users who focus on total ownership costs and carefully match their pumping needs to system requirements will best be able to reduce their total cost of ownership, including energy, operating and maintenance costs. The Hydraulic Institute invites all other companies, non-profit, NGOs, utilities and others with interest in Pump Systems Matter to join the initiative as we further define our organizational priorities and programs,” offered HI’s Executive Director, Robert K. Asdal.

The Hydraulic Institute, established in 1917, is the largest association of pump producers in North America, serving member companies by providing forums for the exchange of industry information. The Institute has an 88-year legacy of writing pump standards, and is widely acknowledged as the spokesperson for the pump industry in North America. HI invites others who have interest in pump systems market transformation to explore joining Pump Systems Matter.

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