An Australian inventor has revealed how high grid voltage is forcing customers to pay for electricity they don’t need, and how the EdgeIQ solves the problem.
Neal Stewart is co-founder and CTO of Edge Electrons, creators of the EdgeIQ. The EdgeIQ is a household voltage regulation device that does two things.
- It keeps appliances running at the correct voltage, which saves power.
- It protects appliances from damaging power surges, as well as solar inverter shutdown.
Stewart told Energy Matters that data shows customers could save 8-10 per cent off their bill if their home voltage stays at a steady 220 volts.
The impact of high grid voltage on power use
Voltage affects how much energy appliances use up.
“For every 1 per cent reduction in voltage there’s 1 per cent reduction in kilowatt hours,” Stewart said. “But it goes the other way too, and this is where the consumer gets hurt and doesn’t know it.
“If there’s a 5 per cent increase in the grid voltage, consumers are paying an extra 5 per cent in kilowatt hour usage because the appliances are using more energy. The appliances run at 230 volts, then anything above that they start to eat up more power.”
In Australia, electricity distributors must deliver 230 volts plus 10 per cent or minus 6 per cent. As a result, the range is 216 – 254 volts – not ideal for efficient appliance operation.
EdgeIQ inspired by rooftop solar boom
The idea for the EdgeIQ came after Stewart researched the impact of renewable energy like wind and solar power on the grid. He saw the emerging problem of voltage stability because of rooftop solar feeding back into the grid.
“It’s a voltage regulation device for houses,” he said. “It’s really useful for homes with solar PV systems.” It uses power electronics and software in a device attached to the house that stabilises the grid voltage.
“When we put the EdgeIQ on the house, we can process the power so that we aren’t concerned about the fluctuations on the input. The consumer is fully protected, because high voltage damages appliances. We also protect the house from voltage surges.”
Saving power without changing power use
The EdgeIQ is also unique in that it reduces energy consumption without households having to change their behaviour. This method, known as demand response, is where customers agree to modify their power use.
“We literally separate the house from the grid, and there’s no other technology out there that does that,” Stewart said.
If you are interest in knowing more about the EdgeIQ contact Energy Matters on 133 786 or go to our EdgeIQ product page which has a contact form about the product.
