• • • POWER • • •
Voltage optimisation specialist set for further investment
Voltage optimisation specialist, Powerdown220, is celebrating a year of unprecedented success. In the past 12 months, the company has successfully overseen the largest voltage optimisation rollout in UK history and is expecting further large projects to follow
T
he Macclesfield-based energy company, founded in 2017 by Stuart Hawkwood, has seen its turnover rise by 800% in just over a year and has more than doubled its workforce to expand its position in this niche market. Leveraging its close relationship with manufacturer GWE and installers Ashcrofts, Powerdown220 has rapidly emerged as the leading supplier of voltage optimisers in the UK, measured by quantity supplied. Key to the company’s recent success has the been the appointment of James Goodby to the position of director. Mr Goodby helped secure a contract with Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK’s largest pub and restaurant chains, to provide voltage optimisers across its 1,600-site estate. The voltage rollout, which is currently close to completion, is by far the largest project of its kind undertaken in the UK.
Mr Hawkwood said “Our year of growth puts us in a unique position in the UK market. There are only two or three companies specialising in this area and we are the only company in the country with the experience of deliver large projects of this kind.”
Having begun as a company supplying one or two machines per project, the recent success marks the Powerdown220’s transition to a specialist in multi-site projects. The most recent project included installation of voltage optimisers at over 1,100 UK sites.
The increased revenue resulting from recent successes is being used to plan for future growth. Mr Hawkwood said: “We’ve got specialist technical departments and specialist engineers now and the massive increase in turnover is allowing us to invest more in data and technology.”
Another factor that has underpinned
Powerdown220’s recent growth has been rising energy costs, which has encouraged companies to find more ways to reduce their bills. “Voltage optimisation is not a new technology,” Mr Hawkwood said, “but, unfortunately, not enough businesses are aware of it, but we are trying to spread the word. Those who do know about it are increasingly finding the case for
The £1 million giveaway
Powerdown220 has launched a scheme for companies looking to save on their energy bills. Successful applicants will receive a free voltage optimisation machine and can expect savings on their energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint from day one. Voltage optimisers reduce the voltage supplied from the National Grid to the optimal level for equipment. This results in savings on energy bills and improved equipment lifespan. Businesses that are looking to invest in this energy-saving solution, but have concerns about the upfront investment, can apply for Powerdown220’s million-pound giveaway, with the successful applicants receiving a voltage optimiser for free.
The offer works on a shared-savings model. As well as providing a voltage optimiser,
Powerdown220 will complete every aspect of the project from survey to installation, free of charge. For businesses with high electricity consumption, the energy savings from the voltage optimiser will be substantial. By sharing a proportion of these savings, companies can enjoy voltage optimisation with zero capital expenditure.
The scheme is only available to businesses that consume over 300,000 kWh of electricity on a yearly basis. The only thing required from applicants is the provision of information about their current energy consumption, such as access to a recent bill. James Goodby, a director at Powerdown220, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this to clients who want to save money and carbon but without the capital cost. “Our customers typically achieve energy savings of between 7-12%, and we are thrilled to have the ability to share these savings with our clients without them facing the financial burden of up-front costs.”
The scheme is already open to potential applicants, and they can find out more by contacting Josh Connolly via
josh@powerdown220.com, or applying directly using the quick form on the following link:
https://bit.ly/3YwKX3C
32 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • OCTOBER 2023
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
adoption more compelling in the current energy climate.” Powerdown220 has also recently launched a shared-savings model, allowing high energy consumers to invest in voltage optimisation technology without paying up front for the cost of the optimisers.
In total, the company is planning to give away £1 million of equipment for free.
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