In industrial electrical networks, voltage optimization has emerged as a promising approach to energy efficiency. A notable study titled "Energy Saving Effect Due to the Voltage Reduction in Industrial Electrical Networks" by Dr. Alexander Novitskiy and Dr. Holger Schau from Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany, published in the Proceedings of the 2010 Electric Power Quality and Supply Reliability Conference, examines the impact of voltage reduction on power consumption.

Here's a breakdown of the study’s objectives, key findings, and practical implications for energy management.

Objective of the Study

The study aimed to assess how minor voltage reductions could influence power consumption in industrial networks without disrupting operations.

Scope

The researchers focused on low-voltage (LV) industrial networks where daily fluctuations in power demand are common.

Goal

To develop a method for estimating energy savings achieved through controlled voltage reduction and to verify its effectiveness across various enterprise environments.

Key Findings

The study’s results highlight the effectiveness of voltage reduction as an energy-saving measure in industrial settings:

• Energy Savings: Voltage reductions of just 3-5% led to a significant decrease in energy use.
  • Monthly Savings: Up to 11% reduction in energy consumption.
  • Short-Term Savings: Up to 18% reduction over short periods.
• Network Loss Reduction: Lower voltage levels reduced active and reactive power losses across the network.
• Equipment Longevity: Voltage reduction helped extend the operational life of devices by lowering electrical stress.

What It Means for Industrial Energy Management

These findings are highly relevant for industries seeking cost-effective energy-saving solutions. Key implications include:

• Cost Reduction: Lower energy usage directly translates into reduced utility bills, an essential benefit for high-consumption industries.
• Sustainable Operations: With less energy consumption, enterprises can reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to overall sustainability goals.
• Application Potential: Voltage reduction strategies can be applied across various sectors, especially when combined with modern optimization tools like Feigin Electric’s ECOD Smart Optimizer, which continuously manages voltage levels to maximize efficiency.

Conclusion

This study reinforces the value of voltage optimization in industrial settings, offering insights that align with Feigin Electric’s approach. By integrating voltage control solutions like the ECOD Smart Optimizer, companies can capture similar savings and operational benefits, achieving both cost reduction and sustainable energy use.

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Source

A. Novitskiy and H. Schau, "Energy saving effect due to the voltage reduction in industrial electrical networks," Proceedings of the 2010 Electric Power Quality and Supply Reliability Conference, Kuressaare, Estonia, pp. 67-72, doi: 10.1109/PQ.2010.5550018. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5550018

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