Newly published reports from St George’s University and the NHS Sustainable Development Unit has revealed that the top three energy saving technologies delivering the highest savings and payback have been identified as voltage optimisation, LED lighting and variable speed drives (VSDs).
These findings have led EMSc (UK), manufacturer of the voltage optimisation solution Powerstar, to offer interest-free loans for five years to public and private sector companies investing in any of these technologies. Here, EMSc managing director Dr Alex Mardapittas outlines the energy savings that are on offer.
“Voltage optimisation has been delivering energy savings and cutting carbon emissions for over a decade. It is, therefore, gratifying that these influential reports recognise the technology as being among the top three technologies in which it is most worthwhile for companies to invest.
“Analysis from both reports is outlined in a document prepared by McKinsey & Company – version 2.1 of the ‘global greenhouse gas abatement cost curve’ and examines carbon cutting potential across a range of different sized sites. These savings will contribute to the government’s aim of reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from the 1990 baseline by 2050 and save UK businesses millions in unnecessary electricity costs.
“Voltage optimisation is based on a simple but effective concept – the voltage supplied to buildings by the National Grid is, on average, 242V while the optimum rating for all electrical devices throughout the UK and Europe is just 220V – a clear and expensive discrepancy. Voltage optimisation systems employ a device in series with the mains electricity supply to reduce the voltage coming into a site to an optimum level. This gives three key benefits – it cuts electricity bills, reduces carbon emissions and extends the life of electrical devices by evening out potentially damaging spikes and dips in power delivery.
“Savings of, on average, 12-15% have been demonstrated using EMSc’s market leading range of Powerstar voltage optimisation products which are fully researched, developed, sourced and manufactured in the UK. The units can be installed in a matter of hours with a payback period of usually less than five years. To achieve maximum benefits, however, each site needs to be considered individually.
“There are two main types of system on the market – fixed and electronic dynamic – also referred to as variable. A building that has a stable incoming voltage supply which is still over and above the optimum rating for electrical devices requires a fixed voltage optimisation system. However, sites with critical equipment, high night loads and greater security requirements such as hospitals, data centres, hotels, education facilities and retails outlets will benefit from an electronic dynamic system such as Powerstar MAX which ensures that voltage is supplied at a constant level regardless of how unstable the incoming voltage is.
“This is particularly important for buildings that are operational throughout the night when the load on the grid almost disappears. Powerstar MAX uses an intelligent interface to track product and site performance and maintain a steady supply whether there is a power surge or even if the incoming voltage drops below 220V.
“The newest technology in the Powerstar stable is Powerstar HV MAX, a super low loss transformer which combines with Powerstar MAX to give increased average combined savings of 17%. This latest innovation has been developed after years of research, specifically for sites with their own transformers, and takes voltage optimisation one step further by optimising a building’s voltage supply before it is distributed.
“Powerstar HV MAX can replace a building’s existing transformer, or be installed in new building developments, to provide the optimum voltage output for the site. It is currently the only system on the market that takes 11,000V input and provides a fully electronically regulated 380 (or user defined) voltage.
“Powerstar voltage optimisation systems have been installed in thousands of varying sites across the globe including government departments, retail chains, healthcare estates, education facilities, public services, leisure and sports sites and SMEs in a range of industries. Savings are guaranteed and, in over a decade of installations, Powerstar has recorded no failures and provides 100% reliability and security.
“EMSc is committed to helping the UK to achieve its sustainability targets and proud that these influential reports have recognised the award winning Powerstar range of products as among the top three most effective energy saving technologies. Companies can take advantage of a £50 million funding pot to install one or more of the technologies identified in the reports with a loan that is interest-free for up to five years.”
All applications must be made through EMSc by 31st December 2013 and will be subject to status and approval. To download a funding application, go to www.ems-uk.org or call 01142 576200.
