Delivering the right voltage

Schneider Electric, voltage optimisation, Energy Efficiency
Cost-effective energy savings — David Lewis.

Electrical equipment often uses more energy than it needs to because the UK mains voltage is higher than required. David Lewis of Schneider Electric recommends retrofitting voltage optimisation as an effective energy-saving measure.

A report carried out by NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) (2021 ‘Vision: the future of the electrical contracting industry’ indicates that whilst the construction market will show only modest growth over the next 10 years. It also forecasts that more than half of activity will be focused on repair, maintenance and improvement of existing buildings.

With demands for more reliable and energy-efficient buildings with bottom-line improvement through reduced operating costs such as maintenance, energy management forms a cornerstone in an environment of increasing costs to operate.

With that in mind, it is enormously important to invest in solutions that will reduce a building’s costs, optimise efficiency and optimise safety. One of the solutions to consider is voltage optimisation.

Voltage optimisation is a relatively straightforward but highly effective and proven way of reducing electrical consumption and consequently energy cost and CO2 emissions. In addition, business-tax burdens such as the Climate Change Levy and the Carbon Reduction Commitment may also be reduced.

Voltage optimisation works by optimising the low voltage used by the building or site so that a building’s electrical equipment runs at its most efficient. It is particularly effective in the UK where there is an inherent problem of over-voltage, which not only wastes electricity but also damages and reduces the lifespan of certain kinds of electrical equipment.

Voltage optimisation is a proven way of lowering energy consumption.

Typically, electricity supplied by the National Grid in the UK is supplied at around 242 V. However, most of our electrical and electronic equipment is designed to run at around 230 V and operates most efficiently at 220 V. This means there is a gap between the supply voltage and the voltage which the equipment needs, resulting in energy consumption in most buildings being significantly higher than required. Voltage optimisation therefore presents an excellent opportunity to help customers save money, reduce carbon, help equipment last longer and reduce maintenance costs.

Before adopting voltage optimisation, it is important to recognise that not all applications will be suitable for the technology, so careful design and analysis is required. Some voltage-optimisation providers will carry out site surveys (including voltage logging, energy audits and network analysis) so it is worth asking if a prospective provider offers this service.

In addition, it is worth considering if there are any other energy-saving projects or changes you are planning to undertake in the near future, as they may affect the voltage-optimisation savings and, as a consequence, the business’s return on investment.

Voltage optimisation can be installed anywhere on a network, from a complete distribution system to single feeders or even single applications such as lighting. At one of Schneider Electric’s locations in Stone, Staffordshire for example, optimising the voltage at 220 V, with simple implementation and limited supply interruption, 8.2% energy savings were realised. This was measured using the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

Voltage optimisation can provide a highly reliable, low-loss solution, but it is important to combine this with a comprehensive monitoring solution in order to achieve maximum savings. These monitoring solutions look at where, when and how energy is being consumed within a building and then allows you to strategically balance emissions, efficiency, reliability and cost.

Schneider Electric’s PowerLogic range of meters and power-monitoring software enable businesses to improve their competitiveness by giving them a complete understanding of their organisation’s unique energy landscape. The range also provides hands-on tools to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, enhance productivity and increase power system reliability.

Voltage optimisation is a proven way of lowering energy consumption.

Comprising metering, communication hardware and advanced analysis software, a power-management solution acts like a layer of intelligence across a business’s energy assets. It continuously monitors key energy points and inputs 24 hours a day and then processes and delivers that data as timely and relevant information to those who need it. Where power quality and network resilience are a consideration, power-factor correction and active harmonic filters can be additionally utilised for even greater power conditioning.

With increasing pressure on building owners and operators to reduce energy consumption in buildings, voltage optimisation offers a quick and proven way of enhancing a building’s electrical network, saving money and energy, as well as reducing operating expenditure and achieving greater resilience with a significant return on investment. What’s more, as the Government strives to meet its ambitious carbon emissions targets, it is now offering incentives to encourage businesses to adopt voltage-optimisation technology.

Whilst voltage optimisation is a proven way of lowering energy consumption, businesses still remain slow on the uptake. A significant amount of energy is wasted in buildings simply because electrical equipment is designed to work at a lower voltage than that supplied by the National Grid. Voltage optimisation in the correct situation and combined with a comprehensive monitoring solution is one of the simplest, most effective ways of reducing carbon emissions and energy bills which all businesses should consider.

David Lewis is energy-management expert at Schneider Electric.

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