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SUPPLEMENT SUSTAINABILITY IN MANUFACTURING MORE AFFORDABLE AND
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY: A WIN-WIN FOR MEDICAL MANUFACTURERS
The NHS has stringent, legally binding, targets for Net Zero extending across the supply chain, and all procurement requires a Carbon Reduction Plan from next April.For manufacturers, the impact
of delivering a Net Zero National Health Service is seismic. Dean Hogg, head of sales at Powerstar, looks at how voltage optimisation technology can help NHS suppliers reduce emissions and save on energy
W
ith more than 80,000 suppliers, the NHS is using its considerable purchasing power to influence the Net Zero journey
and instigate environmental change. For manufacturers, this means an immediate strategic need to focus on sustainability. The greenest – and the cheapest – unit of
energy is the one you don’t use. This is where many companies are benefitting from Voltage Optimisation (VO) to lower emissions, waste less energy, improve power quality, and monitor energy usage. This is an aspect which will only become more critical as the demand to evidence carbon reduction grows. Most UK electrical equipment is designed to
operate at 220V, but Grid supply fluctuates, with mains supply regulated at 230V +10%/ -6%, giving a permitted voltage range from 216 to 253V. Average Grid voltage supply is around 242V – significantly higher than most requirements. This raises several issues: wasted energy means unnecessary spend and an inflated carbon footprint. Operating at a higher than necessary voltage puts strain on equipment; and damage through wear and tear can lead to high maintenance costs, with disruption to production schedules. A transformer-based technology, VO helps ensure that the Grid energy supply matches the on-site demand. The problem of overvoltage is eliminated, and unnecessary voltage is returned back to the Grid. Clearly, VO is a solution which will only offer significant benefits where there are voltage-related losses somewhere across the existing electrical infrastructure, and so a full site inspection is vital to establish whether VO is a good fit and what the payback period will be. Powerstar undertakes detailed installing feasibility studies to establish the benefits, prior to any commissioning and installation, and works with manufacturers across the NHS supply chain.
THE RIGHT SOLUTION Swann-Morton, a Sheffield-based medical device company founded in 1932, is a world leader in the manufacture of surgical blades, scalpels, and handles, with a global reputation for quality,
precision, consistency and reliability. The company approached Powerstar, looking to minimise environmental impact while also addressing increasing energy costs. Powerstar’s engineers found that the site was experiencing fluctuating voltage and that energy consumption could be reduced, meaning cost and emission savings for the company. The VO solution recommended and installed by Powerstar has reduced
Voltage optimisation installation
installation needed to be managed without any disruption to the critical manufacturing processes undertaken at the plant. The survey identified the site voltage as 243V, more than 20V higher than optimal supply. Fluctuations in the site voltage profile meant that any solution would need to provide dynamic, variable voltage regulation. Since installing the VO solution for Nutricia,
Swann-Morton’s annual electricity consumption by 10%, cutting carbon emissions by more than 100 tonnes per year. Advanced medical nutrition specialists Nutricia
faced similar issues. As a subsidiary of Danone, Nutricia has been pioneering nutritional solutions since 1896. Its leading-edge science and nutritional expertise makes it the largest specialist nutrition company in Europe and a market leader within the UK. For such a company, environmental impact and sustainability are a major area of focus and they actively seek ways to reduce emissions and energy consumption. Working with Central Group to reduce energy usage, an extensive site appraisal found that Powerstar’s VO technology would be ideal to help achieve the twin aims of emission reduction and lower energy consumption, but
32 DESIGN SOLUTIONS - SUPPLEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2023
data analysis shows an annual electricity consumption reduction of 8%, with clean and stable voltage eliminating disruption from spikes or dips, improving the efficiency of equipment, and reducing the risk of interruptions to production. The VO solution has led to an annual carbon reduction of over 110 tonnes. Commenting on this, Nutricia’s maintenance manager said: “Everyone was so passionate about the product and its benefits for the environment. It was an easy decision to make as it is in line with everything ourselves and our parent company are aiming to achieve on the sustainability side of the business.” Ultimately, where medical manufacturers
and companies in the NHS supply chain are looking to signal their own commitment to Net Zero, Voltage Optimisation can be a valuable technology – reducing emissions, which is critical for the NHS, while offering the cost- savings that are vital for competitiveness.
Powerstar
T: 0333 230 1327
www.powerstar.com
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