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A voltage optimisation systemwas installed at the hotel to reduce
the incoming voltage by 8%, bringing it in line with the 220/230 V
required by most electrical appliances. In addition, as a true voltage
optimisation system, the incoming power supply was cleaned and
conditioned, providing suppression of harmonics and transients along
with improving the power factor, therefore contributing to improve-
ment in power quality.
Following the installation of the voltage optimisation system, an
average of 30% less downtime due to poor power supplywas recorded.
Case studies
2
and
3
2
Pick n Pay, Port Alfred
• Guaranteed kW savings: 7,2%
• Annual kWh savings: 7,8%
• Annual kWA savings: 10%
3
Pick n Pay, Grahamstown
• Guaranteed kW savings: 7,3%
• Annual kWh savings: 8,7%
• Annual kWA savings: 8,8%
Pick n Pay seeks to promote sustainable practices in every aspect of
the business. The challenge for the two stores was to further lower
their energy consumption, despite both incorporating various renew-
able energy generation solutions. Both stores operate seven days
weekly and could not afford any downtime.
With average voltages of 238,5 V at the Port Alfred store and
234,4 V at the Grahamstown store, both suffered from excess voltage
supply which was in turn causing high levels of energy consumption
and increasing wear on electrical equipment. Through the installation
of the voltage optimisation technology described in this article, issues
A
new deal between South African energy efficiency specialists,
Rhino Lighting and Powerstar SA, has signalled the rollout
of a globally-patented Powerstar (referred to in this article as
the company) range of voltage optimisation systems, which is aimed
at reducing the energy consumption of big businesses and industry.
Manufactured at the company’s international headquarters in
Sheffield in the United Kingdom, the solutions being rolled out are
designed to deliver significant, guaranteed energy savings. The range
being rolled out nationally includes the latest innovation, Virtue – an
energy storage system that can be integrated with any of the com-
pany’s Max or HV Max voltage optimisation systems.
The range is unique in that it was designed to ensure that savings
can be achieved, regardless of the type of energy load it is connected
to. Savings can also be achieved on LEDs or VSD drives that have
been installed to improve energy efficiency.
The patented designed voltage optimisation system returns
the excess voltage in terms of negative power (back EMF) which is
subtracted from the grid input power. Up to 80% of the total savings
come from the negative power feedback (back EMF) while 20 to 30%
comes from the improvement in equipment efficiencies.
Case study
1
• Guaranteed kW savings: 10,41%
• Annual kWh savings: 20,71%
• Annual kWA savings: 32,71%
Manhatten Hotel is a three-star New York themed hotel with a spa
and; it is situated 250 m from the Pretoria Gautrain Station. The chal-
lenge for the hotel lay in the high level of incoming voltage to the
hotel, which negatively impacted the lifespan of electromagnetic or
induction motors and compressors in the hotel. The excessive volt-
age power quality was a cause for unplanned downtime, affecting
productivity.
Reducing Energy
Consumption in Big
Business and Industry
Heather McEwan, Rhino Lighting
South African case studies showhow voltage optimisation systems are necessary for reducing energy consumption…and significantly increasing
savings in big businesses such as Pick n Pay and Pretoria’s Manhatten Hotel.
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Electricity+Control
January ‘17
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