Clarifying Questions about the August 23, 2011 Analytical Results Report on Amended 

Efficiency Standards for Distribution Transformers

Updated as of 9/21/2011, based on 9/14-9/15 workshop information 

Table 1.1 Questions

-Would it be possible to show the results with that reflect the efficiency levels associated with 

the highest % of transformers with net benefits and/or lowest median payback years from Tables 

2.1-2.5 or the lowest equipment costs for Tables 3.1-3.3?

-How were the efficiency values chosen for the August 23, 2011 report? What were the key 

factors in choosing values that were different from the March 2011 CSL’s? 

-Would it be possible to show the results for efficiency levels that are 0.01 and/or 0.02 and/or 

0.03 and/or 0.04 percent higher than the baselines? 

-Would it be possible to show the updated results with the March 2011 Candidate Standard 

Levels? 

Tables 2.1 through 2.5 Questions

-For transformers where the tables show “no impact”, does that mean that the life cycle costs 

were within +/- 2% of the life cycle costs of the baseline unit? 

-For transformers where the tables show “no impact”, is there information available that would 

show what portion of those units have higher estimated life cycle costs and which portion has 

lower estimated life cycle costs (with full knowledge that they are within 2% of the baseline 

estimate)? For example, in Table 2.1, Design Line 1, if all of the “No Impact” transformers 

actually have estimated life cycle costs that are 1% higher than the baseline unit, then the total 

percentage of units with higher Net Costs would be 59.1%, as compared to 41.2%. 

-What is the median LCC savings, in dollars, for the transformers in these tables? 

-What is the range of LCC savings, in dollars, for the transformers in these tables? 

-What is the standard deviation of LCC savings, in dollars, for the transformers in these tables? 

-What is the mean (average) payback period, in years, for the transformers in these tables? 

-What is the range of payback periods, in years, for the transformers in these tables? 

-What is the standard deviation of payback periods, in years, for the transformers in these tables? 
-The cost savings are based on the same data used for electricity prices and loading models 

shown in Chapters 7 and 8 of the March 2011 Technical Support Document (e.g., 2008 ISO RTO 

price/load data). 

-Would it be possible to incorporate 2010 ISO/RTO price/load data for the updated analysis?

Tables 3.1 through 3.3 Questions

-For the estimates of equipment costs shown, was there any “equipment cost learning curve” 

factor used for the baseline and efficiency level projections? If so, what was the factor? Is there 

data showing the results based on equipment prices being held constant on a real basis? If so, 

can it be sent to members of the committee? 

Also, would it be possible to provide data showing the results based on equipment prices rising 

at a rate that is higher than the projected inflation rate (e.g., rising on a real basis, such as what 

has occurred over the past several years based on the spreadsheet data)? If so, can it be sent to 

members of the committee? 

-For the estimated operating costs (and savings), are the costs and savings based on the same 

data used for electricity prices and loading models shown in Chapters 7 and 8 of the March 2011 

Technical Support Document (e.g., 2008 ISO RTO price/load data), or has the data set been 

changed for the update analysis? If so, what were the changes? 

For Tables 3.1-3.3, can you show the efficiency values above the baseline that have the lowest 

incremental equipment costs? The lowest incremental manufacturing costs? The lowest number 

of direct domestic job losses?