In 1995 the statutory minimum that electricity distributors were required to supply power was reduced from 240V to within a range of between 216V and 252V. This resulted from harmonisation across Europe, and the next move will soon reduce the UK minimum supply voltage to 207V.
However, on average, electricity in the UK is still supplied at around 240V! A key reason for this is that the further electricity has to travel from the intitial high voltage (11,000V) transformer, the greater the drop in voltage. So, for the grid to ensure that the last customer at the end of the network receives the statutory minimum voltage, inevitably customers further up the line will be supplied a higher voltage than they need... The huge cost of infrastructure redesign means that this situation will take decades to change. Another disincentive to the energy suppliers is that any voltage reduction means less electricity is used, and so their income also reduces... And therein lies the potential for savings!
For a customer to realise the maximum possible benefits from voltage reduction involves the installation of voltage optimisation equipment between the meter and the distribution panel in the electrical room of the premises.
Typically this equipment will reduce voltage by around 8% (eg from 240V to 220V) and this will translate directly into savings - both cash and carbon - of 13%. The reason for the higher savings is that power (electricity in watts) is a function of current (in amps) x voltage (in volts). Once installed, the equipment operates silently and continuously in the background, requiring no maintenance. As an added bonus, this technology also delivers various improvements in power quality, and can extend the life of electrical equipment.
Power optimisation equipment will payback its investment in anything from a few months to three years, depending on individual circumstances. There are a number of sources of assistance with financing this equipment (generally interest free) which also vary according to circumstances.
If you would like to know more about power optimisation and if it might benefit your organisation, please email us at solutions@watt-knots.co.uk with your name and 'phone number and we'll be in touch.
