Motor System Stock Assessment

Understanding Motor Energy Use in the Northwest’s Industrial Sector

Motor-driven systems power much of the equipment used across the industrial sector, from manufacturing to food processing. These systems are estimated to use up to 70% of the electricity consumed by industrial facilities. Despite their importance, the Northwest has never had a regionwide estimate of how much energy these systems use, or how they are configured, controlled, or maintained. The 2027 Motor Systems Stock Assessment (MSSA) aims to change that by gathering detailed information directly from industrial sites to support informed planning, reliable energy forecasting, and new opportunities for cost-effective energy savings.

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A Long-Recognized Need for Data

Industrial motor-driven systems represent some of the largest energy-saving opportunities in the region. Motors are used in pumps, fans, compressors, material handling equipment, and countless other systems that keep industrial facilities running. By understanding what types of motors are installed, how old they are, how efficiently they operate, and how they are controlled, the Northwest can better identify where upgrades or improved practices could reduce energy use.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 2021 Power Plan recommended that the region invest in a comprehensive stock assessment of motor systems. While utilities and regional stakeholders have long needed accurate data to support planning, no previous study has estimated motor energy use across Northwest industries. This assessment fills that gap.

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Uses for the Data

The insights from this assessment will support better energy planning across the Northwest. By understanding the size and characteristics of the region’s installed motor systems, utilities and energy-efficiency organizations can more accurately estimate energy‑saving opportunities, improve load forecasting, and identify where flexible load strategies may be feasible. The findings will also inform future program design, support long‑term planning and policy development, and give the region a strong data foundation for improving energy efficiency in the industrial sector.

Working with a regional workgroup of utilities and energy efficiency organizations, NEEA will gather information on:

• The number and types of motors installed in industrial facilities
• Motor characteristics such as horsepower, age, configuration, and control methods
• The presence of standalone motors 1 horsepower and above
• How motor-driven systems are used and operated in day‑to‑day processes

Data will be collected through in-person site visits at industrial facilities that take part in wastewater and sewage treatment, food manufacturing, wood manufacturing, and computer and electronics products manufacturing.