Knowledge: Voltage optimisation
Wish upon a star
A revolutionary new energy storage solution has recently become available in the
UK and it is set to change the way companies use electricity, by enabling greater
control and flexibility, says Alex Mardapittas, creator of Powerstar
oltage optimisation brand Powerstar has launched a
pioneering new system, Powerstar Virtue, which stores
the excess energy saved so that it can be used at a time of
maximum financial benefit to the energy user.
Powerstar Virtue uses the unique, patented Powerstar voltage
optimisation technology and harnesses the induced negative power
feedback to the supply, to charge a storage medium.
The system allows for savings in electricity costs by avoiding grid
connection during times of high tariffs, and reverting to the energy
stored during times of low demand.
The clever solution can also be integrated with on-site renewable
energy generation to combine the energy saved from the voltage
optimisation system with that generated from the renewable energy
source. As a result, users can switch to the stored supply at any time
they wish, as well as ensure a constant and reliable energy supply.
Energy grids around the world are struggling to cope with
increasing demand for electricity, which require more cabling and
pylons to support usage, resulting in higher costs to users. This,
coupled with the volatile nature of renewable generation sources,
highlights the need for flexibility and greater control of electricity
usage.
Energy storage is emerging as one of the best solutions to address
these growing problems, allowing energy generated during periods
of low demand to be stored locally and used at peak times. Powerstar
Virtue takes this one step further by allowing energy saved from
voltage optimisation technology to be diverted into storage, along with
combining energy generated from onsite renewables, if available. This
gives the user greater reliability and unprecedented control over their
own supply.
As predicting times of peak demand is relatively simple, Powerstar
Virtue can act as a VPS (Virtual Power Station), thereby eliminating the
risk of network interruption, guaranteeing stable and reliable power at
all times. The system can act as a full facility UPS (Uninterrupted Power
Supply) for up to two hours and due to its modular nature, additional
storage modules can be fitted post installation to match any future
needs of the site.
The system also increases the monetary benefits from national and
DNO incentivised programmes such as STOR, EDR and FDR.
Additional benefits of Powerstar Virtue include eliminating the
V
The Powerstar gives the user greater
reliability and unprecedented control over
their own supply
30 | www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk
Clever thinking: Using the Powerstar Virtue eliminates the need for
inverters on renewable installations by combining the energy generated
with that saved from voltage optimisation, says its creator Alex
Mardapittas
use of inverters on renewable installations, which can further help
towards reducing costs and improving return on investment. Sites
will also benefit from reduced harmonics, voltage phase balancing
and improved power factor, along with reduced maintenance costs of
electrical equipment and a 100 percent savings guarantee, as offered
with all Powerstar solutions.
The system addresses the imbalance between the high voltage
levels that are typically delivered to a site by the National Grid, and
the voltage actually required for optimum operation of electrical
equipment. The excess energy – on average 22V - is not only wasteful
and expensive but overvoltage can also potentially damage or shorten
the lifetime of equipment.
The brand’s ongoing research and development programme
continues to innovate and extend options for companies looking to
reduce energy costs and maximise efficiency. Powerstar Virtue is
pioneering a new path by offering energy users greater control over
saving, storing and using electricity.