Voltage optimisation is an energy saving technology that is used to regulate, clean and condition the incoming power supply in order to reduce the voltage supplied to the optimum level for the on-site electrical equipment and appliances.

What is voltage optimisation?

The concept behind voltage optimisation is simple. In general, power from the energy grid is supplied at a higher voltage than necessary due to old electrical distribution networks in place which were designed to operate at higher voltage levels, as well as electricity suppliers being required to ensure all buildings are supplied voltage within set parameters.

If a building is being supplied at a higher voltage than necessary it will likely result in a mass of wasted energy, excessive levels of carbon emissions, and higher than necessary electricity bills in addition to power quality issues, including increased wear and reduced lifespan of electrical equipment.

In addition to reducing energy consumption, cutting carbon emissions and providing savings on electricity bills, voltage optimisation can also improve power quality by balancing phase voltages and filtering harmonics and transients from the network operators supply.

Voltage optimisation technologies are typically installed in series between the distribution transformer and the main low voltage distribution board, allowing all of the consumer’s electrical equipment to benefit from an optimised power supply.

There are two types of voltage optimisation system which are generally referenced when discussing this approach; ‘fixed’ Powerstar LITE, which optimises the voltage by a set amount and matches the incoming profile, or ‘electronic-dynamic’ Powerstar MAX, which uses intelligent controls to optimise the voltage and maintain it at a constant level.

For larger sites that operate their own HV/LV infrastructure, Powerstar HV MAX can be installed on the HV side to correct the incoming power supply issues at source through replacing the current HV transformer with a super-low loss amorphous core transformer and integrating this with voltage optimisation technology.




Exercising energy savings in Billingham

Powerstar, the market-leading energy storage and voltage optimisation brand, has saved Billingham Forum, a large leisure complex in Teesside operated and maintained by Tees Active Ltd., nearly 9% in annual electricity consumption after installing a Powerstar LITE voltage optimisation system. The company recently secured a contract to install multiple units across Tees Active Ltd.’s leisure...