CCN talks exclusively to the inventor of the patented Powerstar voltage optimisation system and EMSc (UK) Limited managing director, Dr Alex Mardapittas, during a visit to Australia in December, 2014.
Powerstar technology is currently being introduced to new markets across the globe including the United States where it has just been installed in a government building.
While the technology has experienced quick uptake in Australia, Dr Mardapittas regards China and South East Asia as growth markets for the Powerstar voltage optimisation system.
“We have been identified by the Chinese government as a champion product for energy saving, “ Dr Mardapittas said. “This is a great honour as there are just seven other products that have been given champion status.”
Powerstar's Australian operation was established two years ago and is now the regional head office for SE Asia and the Pacific Islands. During that time market awareness for voltage optimisation (VO) has increased significantly.
“There is still a strong need for VO education on the technology and its benefits, there are still a few uneducated doubters espousing incorrect information,” Dr Mardapittas explained.
“The growth of the Australian market has been pleasing. In 2013/14 we achieved 100 per cent growth and this financial year we are expecting 300 per cent growth.
“Victoria has the greatest takeup and the eastern seaboard is much stronger than South Australia and Western Australia.”
Organisations that have expressed interest in the technology include Coles, Woolworths, local councils, WA Parliament and the University of Melbourne.
“Competition is strong in Australia and surprisingly the superior British made Powerstar is sometimes compared to the inferior and cheaper Chinese or Indian products,” Dr Mardapittas said.
“We continue to educate the market that Powerstar is the only patented VO and only VO with a third winding that introduces negative voltage feed into the incoming supply.
“It's not just a step-down transformer which is basically what we are seeing from our competitors.”
Dr Mardapittas has taken the company from a startup in 1998 with one product to one that has a turnover of around $A23 million and 10 products, sells into 20 countries and employs 75 staff worldwide.
The company's latest product is Powerstar Storage, which will be rolled out across the globe later this year. Dr Mardapittas said average energy savings with Powerstar is between 15 to 25 per cent.
He said even premises with solar panels and LED lighting are achieving good savings. “Successful tests into savings provided on LED lights were conducted at the University of Melbourne and showed savings on the LED lights alone of 10 per cent,” he said.
“VO works with PV solar installations to maximise energy efficiencies and deliver a host of other benefits including increased lifespan of the inverter. Powerstar allows current to flow in both directions.
“Where a solar PV installation already has high local voltages, any fluctuations may push the voltage above the range of the inverter, in which case it will cut out.
“In these cases, installing a Powerstar unit between the customer unit and the REC meter will ensure that the inverter is not exposed to the higher mains voltage spikes and will cut out less frequently.”