Powerstar Australasia, a world-leading manufacturer of voltage optimisation systems, has released a new energy storage system designed to save large power users significant amounts of money each year in energy costs.

Large users across commercial, industrial, educational and government sectors negotiate power contracts comprising of a mix of peak and off-peak tariffs. The new Powerstar Virtue works with the patented Powerstar voltage optimisation (VO) technology to harness the excess voltage supplied from the grid that Powerstar VO would normally return to the grid to generate energy savings.

Powerstar VO technology can generate average savings of 12-15% per annum; however, the Powerstar Virtue system stores the excess energy and deploys it when the cost of power is at peak tariff, thereby producing even greater savings than using voltage optimisation alone.

According to Powerstar Australasia operations director Mr Sam Czyczelis, most buildings receive power from the grid at 247V and most electrical equipment work most efficiently at 220-230V, resulting in a lot of ‘wasted’ energy.

By storing the excess power generated when the power is priced at low tariff, and deploying it when the high tariff kicks in or during the maximum demand period, the facility will have sufficient stored power to go off the grid completely for two hours or reduce kilowatt usage to 50 per cent ‘new’ power for four hours.

The new Powerstar Virtue technology is equally relevant for high as well as low demand users with low energy peak rates - common in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland - allowing them to reduce their maximum demand dramatically.

Mr Czyczelis explains that facilities using Powerstar Virtue can become a virtual power station. With the system’s ability to reliably forecast the amount of power available at all times, the facility can make informed decisions on when the stored energy should be used, allowing organisations to reduce electricity costs significantly.

Powerstar Virtue can also be integrated with on-site renewable energy generation systems such as solar and wind, combining the energy saved from the VO system with that generated from the renewable energy source to achieve even greater savings. Users can save by switching to the stored supply at any time and also ensure a constant and reliable energy supply.

Powerstar Virtue energy storage systems eliminate the need for inverters on renewable energy installations, further reducing the cost and improving the return on investment. Power losses are also avoided in the absence of inverters. Sites will additionally benefit from reduced harmonics, voltage phase balancing, improved power factor and reduced maintenance costs of electrical equipment.

Powerstar Australasia expects the innovative energy storage solution to attract interest from commercial and industrial sectors that are seeking significant electricity savings as well as the flexibility and reliability assured by the new Powerstar Virtue.

Mr Czyczelis adds that grid operators and utilities will also benefit from being able to provide a more efficient and effective electrical network with increased stability and no interruptions.

Similar to all Powerstar voltage optimisation solutions, a 100% savings guarantee is provided on the Powerstar Virtue. Additional security and financial support is provided through Powerstar Australia’s Smart Energy Alliance vendor finance program.