
There are many pressures facing today's buildings owners and operators, whether it's equipment safety, budgetary constraints or legislative changes. However, with the government's carbon reduction targets and rapidly rising energy costs, one of the main pressures having to be tackled is greater efficiency in energy use. David Lewis, energy management expert at Schneider Electric, recommends adopting voltage optimisation to meet this challenge.
A report carried out by NICEIC 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, more than half of activity will be focused on repair, maintenance and improvement of existing buildings. With demands for more reliable 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 which 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 climate change levy and carbon reduction commitment may also be reduced. It works by optimising the low voltage used by the building or site in line with the building's electrical equipment needs to run 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 life span of certain kinds of electrical equipment.
Typically, electricity supplied by the National Grid in the UK is supplied at around 242V yet the majority of our electrical and electronic equipment is designed to run at a supply of around 230Vand operate most efficiently at 220V. 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 however, it is important to recognise that not all applications will be suitable for the technology, therefore 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 contacting your prospective provider to see if it offers this service. In addition, it is worth considering whether there are any other energy-saving projects or changes you are planning to undertake in the near future as this may affect the voltage optimisation savings and, as a consequence, the business' 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 220V, with simple implementation and limited supply interruption, 8.2% energy savings were realised. This was measured using the International Performance Measurement and 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. Comprising metering, communication hardware and advanced analysis software, a power management solution acts like a layer of intelligence across a business' energy assets. It monitors key energy points and inputs 24 hours a day, 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 due to electrical equipment being 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
Most recent headlines
13/03/2025
WASHINGTON FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency has launched a massive, new deregulatory initiative that could potentially subject virtually all ...
13/03/2025
SUNNYVALE, Calif. SDVI has announced that it has integrated its Rally media supply chain management platform with the Spectra Vail multi-cloud data management s...
13/03/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted a waiver of its local ownership rules to permit Gray Media to acqu...
13/03/2025
TV Tech: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2025 NAB Show?...
13/03/2025
Watch Student Naomi Soleils Folk Pop Performance on The Voice The songwriting major sang Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals during the blind auditions.
...
12/03/2025
O Spotify acaba de lan ar o relat rio Loud & Clear deste ano, uma vis o transpar...
12/03/2025
Spotify acaba de presentar el informe Loud & Clear de este a o, una mirada trans...
12/03/2025
Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Enrich your experience thi...
12/03/2025
Spotify has just unveiled this year's Loud & Clear report, a transparent loo...
12/03/2025
More than 70% of FAST programming has been produced since 2010, according to new Gracenote report
NEW YORK March 12, 2025 Gracenote, the content data busin...
12/03/2025
GEONA, Nev. Independent digital and linear advertising rep firm Viamedia will adopt cloud-based ShowSeeker Pilot as its primary ad campaign and order management...
12/03/2025
BRUSSELS Mediagenix has announced that Wael Yasin has joined the company as sales director Central Europe....
12/03/2025
LONDON A new study highlights opportunities for shoppable TV and the massive impact online consumer spending is having on the economy, with Omdia predicting tha...
12/03/2025
CUPERTINO, Calif. Interra Systems has announced that Comcast Technology Solutions has integrated recent updates to BATON Version 9 into its operations....
12/03/2025
Nevion announces new 400G addition to its eMerge SDN media fabric offering
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
High-capacity switch enhances existi...
12/03/2025
DaVinci Resolve Studio Delivers Cinematic Sound for Adam Bol
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
Feature film relies on DaVinci Resolve Studio for ...
12/03/2025
SVT Leverages Ateliere Live to Pioneer 100% Software-Defined Production at Rally...
12/03/2025
Berklee Awards Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to Four Organizations A total of $17,000 will be distributed among the Boston-based nonprofits.
By
Madd...
12/03/2025
TVBEuropes Jenny Priestley sits down with new SMPTE president Richard Welsh to discuss his aims for the organisation going forward, its efforts to attract a you...
12/03/2025
The new process has significantly enhanced operational efficiencies, with automation freeing up creators to concentrate on higher value tasks
By Matthew Corrig...
12/03/2025
Jellyfish Pictures, which has offices in London and Sheffield, said it has been battling hard in the face of strong headwinds over the last 12 months
By Jenny ...
12/03/2025
Visit Booth #W2213 to Experience the Latest in AI-Driven Content Discovery and Workflow Automation
Bitcentral, a leader in media workflow solutions, is set to ...
12/03/2025
CHICAGO Jeff Lilly has been named WGN-TV director of technology effective March 17, 2025, according to Ric Harris, WGN-TV vice president and general manager....
12/03/2025
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. A new study from LG Ad Solutions indicates that consumers want more features that would allow them to shop for products on the connected T...
12/03/2025
BOTHELL, Wash. The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) and the Video Services Forum (VSF) will once again present...
12/03/2025
PHILADELPHIA Comcast announced that it has upgraded Xfinity Internet speeds for more than 20 million customers for no additional cost....
12/03/2025
Create with Maxon: Cinema 4D Fundamentals Workshop - March 12-14
Brie Clayton March 11, 2025
0 Comments
Makin' Waffles with Elly Wade
During Marc...
12/03/2025
Ottawa, Canada - March 12, 2025 - Ross Video is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Tunnell as Business Development Director, Cloud Solutions, reinforc...
12/03/2025
12 Mar 2025
VEON to release 4Q 2024 trading update on 20 March 2025 Dubai, 12 March 2025 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital operator, today confirms ...
12/03/2025
Getting set for the Winter Olympics: Inside SVT's ongoing software-based pro...
12/03/2025
THE PLAYERS Championship 2025: AI Commentary, Shared-Reality Viewing at COSM, La...
12/03/2025
Seamless SMPTE 2110: A Discussion on Making the Move to IP Less Painful Leaders from Netflix, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, LinkedI, and Megapixel address ...
12/03/2025
Opening Doors of Perception: Meta's Ajit Ninan on Rethinking AR/MR Perceptua...
12/03/2025
With the 2025 Formula 1 season set to begin in Melbourne on March 16, Sky Sports is gearing up to deliver its most comprehensive F1 coverage yet. Following a th...
12/03/2025
Unicanal and Trece TV revolutionize Digital TV in Paraguay with Rohde & Schwarz ...
12/03/2025
Honoring Service, Celebrating Sport: Rohde & Schwarz UK Sponsors NavyFit Rugby D...
12/03/2025
New HVS-Q12 Represents a Quantum Leap in Switcher Design...
12/03/2025
Telespazio and ABS Expand Partnership to Deliver Tailored C-Band Connectivity So...
12/03/2025
ABC conducts independent audits across the TAG programs. In the March 2025 TAG s...
12/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Moonlight: ESA program to create a satellite con...
12/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
In 2025, Thales ranks among the top 0.01% of the...
12/03/2025
Consumer show back following hugely successful first series
10 March 2025 Following a hugely successful first series, The Complaints Bureau returns to RT ...
11/03/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
11/03/2025
Salsa is making a comeback, captivating new listeners with its infectious energy...
11/03/2025
For many people, music can serve as a reflection of their roots and upbringing. ...
11/03/2025
The solution delivers reliable, scalable and secure connectivity for critical pu...
11/03/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. Harmonic has announced that Weigel Broadcasting has deployed Harmonics VOS Media Software, which offers playout-to-delivery capabilities, inclu...
11/03/2025
NEW BERN, N.C. Wheatstone will introduce a Linux audio driver for its WheatNet IP audio network during the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, at the Las Vegas Convention...
11/03/2025
NEW YORK A new study finds that as TV viewership for women's sports surged by 131% in 2024, the programming also saw a 56% year-over-year increase in ad im...
11/03/2025
Powerful switcher for news studio
FOR-A, a cutting-edge video broadcast technology company backed by more than 50 years experience, has installed its HVS-1200 ...