DECC – Department for Energy & Climate Change, 3 Whitehall Place

DECC – powerPerfected
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is responsible for all aspects of UK energy policy, and for tackling global climate change. Their objectives are to bring about the transition to a low carbon Britain and to make energy secure, affordable and efficient. With energy efficiency at the forefront of the DECC’s policies for tackling climate change, it is important to be seen to run as efficiently as possible within their own organisation.

The challenge, the solution and the savings
The assessment of Whitehall Place used the annual electricity consumption details to establish a provisional quote for a powerPerfector unit and the energy savings that would be expected. A voltage logger was then sent, which recorded a voltage of 245 volts (V), 25V higher than the nominal supply required in the UK. After a survey of the site by a powerPerfector approved contractor, the installation of a 1MVA/1450A unit took place. The installation was completed on a weekend when there would be no disturbance to the building. There was no noticeable change to the operation of the building with continuous carbon savings instantly being made every day at Whitehall Place.

Topline results
Based on comparison of the electricity consumption directly before and after the installation, the consumption since the powerPerfector unit was installed is 11.0% lower than before installation, equating to an annual projected carbon saving of 136,500 kg. In figure 2, the weekly profiles show a similar shape during the week, but the weekends are considerably different (most likely a changed in load). To clarify the savings – taken only during the weekdays, there is a 11% drop in average kWh consumption. This corresponds to 135,000kg less CO₂ being emitted and saving £19,000 every year. powerPerfector technology has made sure that the site operates more efficiently, benefits from improved power quality and is protected against transients (power spikes) of up to 25kV. The installation took place over a single weekend with a wellplanned shutdown. There were no reported problems when the supply was reconnected and, with absolutely no moving parts there is no need for maintenance beyond the statutory 5 yearly checks required of all electrical equipment.

Figure 2

Voltage Power Optimisation. The less obvious benefits

Reduced maintenance, longer life
All electrical equipment has an optimum voltage at which it works best. A powerPerfected supply delivers that optimum and reduces the strain on your electrical equipment, leaving it to work more reliably and for longer.

Better quality power supply
Some things you may have accepted for years as product faults can turn out to be caused by a poor quality power supply. For instance, the life of incandescent light bulbs is almost doubled when the supply voltage is optimised. Now imagine that in relation to an IT network or an expensive piece of manufacturing equipment.

Missing the penalty kick
Power factor penalty charges – which are now uncapped in the UK – can be avoided if your power factor is above 0.95. If your power factor is at around 0.9 at the moment, powerPerfector could remove your exposure to these charges by improving the electrical efficiency of your site

Lower harmonic distortion and reduced neutral currents
powerPerfectors are able to filter harmonics on the mains incomer. Harmonic distortion is on the increase and can lead to random failures of electronic equipment – particularly computers.

Protection
Transients – very brief spikes in voltage from the grid – of up to 25,000V are eliminated by powerPerfector. Transients at this level can cause catastrophic damage to equipment, but smaller, more common transient events will also shorten the life expectancy of electrical equipment over time. The looming energy gap means that the risk of transients is increased – Nobel House is now protected.