12/07/2022
The paradox of energy efficiency is that, in designing equipment that draws less power, electrical product manufacturers have utilized power electronics, variable speed motors and inverter technologies to achieve the desired energy savings. This approach utilizes energy more efficiently, but with a hidden cost.
These technologies distort the fundamental waveform of the utility supplied power with unwanted frequencies of current and voltages. These harmonics create additional heat and resistance in electrical circuits forcing them to draw more power than is necessary, degrading their performance and shortening their operational life. Increasing the number of energy efficient and smart technologies in a system decreases the overall power quality of that system unless the harmonic distortion is addressed.
Roof Top PV Solar systems, Geothermal, EV charging stations, heat-pumps, LED lighting and smart appliances all contribute to increasing levels of harmonics, the loss of power factor efficiency and an accelerating reduction of energy capacity within a facility and in the local distribution grid.
If we are to switch from gas and oil furnace heating systems to electric heat pumps, and from gasoline and diesel engines to electric vehicles, then we will need additional capacity in the low voltage distribution grid. Any energy capacity that cannot be utilized, because it is already taken up by harmonic currents or the reactive power requirements of inductive motor loads, means less energy available for productive work.
Without power quality optimization, diesel, biodiesel, and propane powered micro-grids, will consume more fuel, and produce more emissions, if the electrical loads they serve have harmonic content and poor power factors. In addition, voltage fluctuations and harmonics produced by the generator will negatively affect electronic equipment connected to the micro-grid.
Basic Power believes that opportunities for energy savings, through energy efficiency and energy conservation measures, cannot be maximized unless the quality of the electrical power flowing through all electrical equipment is optimized and all transient and persistent distortions of the energy supply are removed.
Our specialist electrical engineers conduct diagnostic power quality audits in microgrids, building integrated renewable energy systems, EV charging projects and energy conservation projects in educational, institutional, and industrial applications.
In addition, we manufacture static and dynamic power factor correction systems, passive shunt harmonic filters and surge protection systems to remedy power quality inefficiencies.
Basic Power partners with leading instrumentation and automation manufacturers to provide permanent metering and SCADA systems to help facility managers measure and control their energy usage, predictive maintenance needs and LEED aspirations.
