Powerstar solution to energy storage
Voltage optimisation brand Powerstar, manufactured in Sheffield, England by EMSc (UK) Ltd has launched a new product called Powerstar Virtue, which the company believes will change the way companies and organisations use electricity, by enabling greater control and flexibility and giving maximum financial benefit to the energy user. The pioneering energy storage solution is the result of a dedicated cutting-edge research and development programme that has been ongoing for a number of years.
The National Grid is struggling to cope with the surge in demand for electricity. This increase in demand requires more cabling and pylons to support usage, a cost, which is ultimately passed onto electricity users' bills. 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 a much needed solution to address these 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.
A versatile solution, Powerstar Virtue can also be integrated with on-site renewable energy generation, to combine the energy saved from the voltage optimisation system with the electricity generated from renewable energy sources, in turn maximising the cost saving benefits from both. Powerstar Virtue uses the patented Powerstar voltage optimisation technology and harnesses the induced negative power feedback to the supply, to charge a storage medium. In essence, the savings achieved from the voltage optimisation system are diverted into the energy storage system to be used at a time most beneficial to the electricity user.
Due to the exceptionally easy way in which the availability of power can be predicted, Powerstar Virtue, can in effect, act as a Virtual Power Station (VPS). With this capability, users are able to use stored energy during times of high peak tariffs, whilst participating in national grid led initiatives like FDR, STOR and EDR.
Powerstar Virtue can also act as a full facility Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system for up to two hours and due to the modular nature of the system, storage modules can be fitted post installation to match any future needs of the site.
Additional benefits of Powerstar Virtue include eliminating the use of inverters on renewable installations, this can help to reduce costs of renewable installations and improve 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 per cent savings guarantee, as offered with all Powerstar solutions.
Powerstar has been a pioneer in voltage optimisation since being established in 2001 and the brand is still the only voltage optimisation system to carry a patent on its design. The system was designed to address the imbalance between the high voltage levels that are typically delivered to a site by the National Grid "“ on average 242V - 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 meaning Powerstar Virtue can cut down on equipment costs for the end user. Systems can be installed with minimum disruption to business operations.
The voltage optimisation solution has been proven to make savings on LED lighting, as a tender awarded by the University of Melbourne confirmed. It has also demonstrated that significant savings "“ 6 to 10 per cent "“ can be achieved when modern variable speed drives (VSDs) are concerned.
In 2012, the Powerstar HV MAX was launched, the first ever electronic-dynamic HV side voltage optimisation system. Powerstar Virtue represents a further first and the company hopes it is set to revolutionise the energy storage market.
Powerstar's voltage optimisation system is designed to divert saved energy into storage, which can then be used at a time that maximises the financial and operational benefits offering users a proven energy saving, storage solution.
