Berlin, February 2021. Voltage Optimization enables energy, cost and CO2 savings. It is the process of reducing the voltage level in buildings. In almost every building the voltage level can be optimized safely, resulting in reduced energy consumption.
What is Voltage Optimization?
„Voltage Optimization“ is the process of reducing the voltage levels in buildings, thereby enabling energy savings.
Electrical power is supplied to us by electricity supply companies and grid operators. According to the IEC 60038 standards, electricity utilities and grid operators must supply voltage levels of 230V ± 10%. They are supposed to supply 230V.
However, due to the limitations in the electricity production processes of the distribution network, it cannot be guaranteed that every building will always get the same voltage at all times of the day. The distribution networks are complex, and therefore there is always a fluctuation in the voltage levels in buildings. If you measure the voltage coming out of a socket in your home or office, it fluctuates throughout the day and night. But all of our electrical devices are built to tolerate this fluctuation.
Every electrical device must be able to work within a range of plus and minus 10%, of 230V, which means that every device is able to work between 207 Volts and 254 Volts. Although, every volt above 207 V is more than what is needed for electrical devices to work.
In the „Voltage Optimization“ process, voltage levels in buildings are reduced to the minimum level of this voltage range, thereby achieving energy savings.
Why does my Building need Voltage Optimization?
Voltage Optimization leads to less energy consumption in a building, which results in a direct reduction of the electricity costs, additionally to less CO2 emissions. When less energy is consumed, less energy needs to be produced and thus less CO2 is emitted.
In general, electricity costs depend on the amount of energy being consumed by a customer. Electricity consumption is calculated in kilowatt-hour (kWh). The calculation can be represented as:
Electricity Consumption (kWh) = Voltage x Current x Time
As we see here, the electricity consumption is directly proportional to the voltage level, the current, and time quantities. For the same amount of current and time, if the voltage is higher, the energy consumption will be higher; but if the voltage is lower, the energy consumption will be lower.
This reduction of voltage means lower energy consumption for the building and therefore lower electricity costs.
Voltage optimization in buildings leads to lower electricity costs and reduced CO2 emissions.
Is Voltage Optimization a new idea?
Voltage optimization is an idea that has been around for some time. However, advancements in technologies and new paradigms such as „AI on the Edge” have allowed EnergyLabs to build a product with state-of-the-art features.
Using AI-algorithms, along with other electrical components such as transformers, the AE PowerStation continuously analyses the input voltage at a high frequency and optimizes the output voltage being supplied to the building accordingly. This keeps the building’s voltage level constant to minimize the power consumption, without any risk and loss of comfort.
Is Voltage Optimization safe for all devices?
Absolutely. Voltage differences within this range of 230V plus and minus 10% cause no perceptible change in the performance of any electrical appliance.
In fact, lower voltage means lower operating temperature for electrical devices. This leads to significant improvement in an increased lifetime and device reliability. For example, in LEDs, 10K temperature reduction leads to life span extension by 140% and in halogen lamps and light bulbs, 20 V voltage reduction leads to double the life span.
All electrical appliances are required to work without faults in this voltage range according to CE certification. CE Certification is mandatory for all electrical devices that can be sold in the EU, it ensures that they have been assessed to meet high safety, health, and environmental protection requirements.
Photos: Unsplash
Graphic: EnergyLabs