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

Efficiency Standards for Distribution Transformers

Has DOE or the consultants performed an analysis for item (1) shown below? In other words, 

has an analysis of keeping the current standards been completed? If so, may the members of the 

negotiation committee see it? 

Table 1.1 Questions

-In the March 2011 preliminary analysis, for liquid-filled distribution transformers, there were 5 

or 6 or 7 Candidate Standard Levels (Design Lines 1-5). How was it determined to only have 5 

standard levels in the August 23, 2011 document? 

-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, 0.02, 0.03, 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? 

-Are the 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? 

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)? 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?