Is voltage optimisation right for your business?

Ian Hunter NSWOEH

Businesses now have a handy step-by-step guide to inform their decisions on investing in one of the newer energy efficiency solutions in Australia.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage – OEH – voltage optimisation guide helps businesses determine if this new technology will benefit their site, as well as dispel some common misconceptions around the technology.

Voltage optimisation – VO – works by adjusting voltage supplied to a site. This can better meet the requirements of certain equipment and lights, resulting in improved equipment life and reduced energy use.

VO technology is fairly well-known overseas yet relatively new to Australia. Internationally voltage optimisation has been shown as a useful option for businesses to reduce their energy use and improve equipment life.

It is safe, proven technology, and you are not alone when examining your options. We’re here to help you.

On optimal sites, some businesses have seen energy savings of up to 12 % or more. The effectiveness of the technology really depends on a site’s equipment, operational requirements and voltage supply.

The value of this guide is in helping businesses decide whether it’s worthwhile for them to invest in voltage optimisation.

An early adopter of the technology in Australia is hotel group Accor. Michael Cook, Chief Engineer of Accor’s Sydney Olympic Park hotels, said the technology has achieved a 7.7 % saving in overall energy use across its Novotel and Ibis venues.

He says that voltage optimisation can be quite complicated to implement as there are many things that need to be weighed up, but the benefits of it are worthwhile. He says that they have not only saved on their total energy use, but that VO has also enabled them to reduce their peak time consumption, meaning they’re consuming less power when it is at its most expensive.

The new guide provides a simple five-step framework for decision-making, as well as practical toolkit of checklists and business templates that simplify each step.

An accompanying e-learning course will also be developed as a companion to the guide, enabling business owners and managers to work through the decision-making process interactively. It is expected to be launched in April.

Download the free guide from the OEH website here.

Ian Hunter, Deputy Chief Executive, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage