Cleaner, greener cold storage

Responsible businesses looking for ways to reduce their carbon emissions need to ensure that they are best placed to minimise the potential risks while maximising the rewards. One method that can be implemented to lower carbon emissions and reduce energy costs is the installation of a voltage optimisation system.

Powerstar is a triple wound voltage optimisation system that actively reduces a considerable percentage of electrical energy consumption - and Australia’s largest cold-chain logistics service provider has shown just how effective the technology is.

Swire Cold Storage (SCS) has been involved in every aspect of the cold chain for the past 50 years and, as part of its sustainability commitments, the company has invested in a number of solutions across all of its sites to benefit both the environment and business.

Its facility in the Laverton industrial district, which opened in March 2008, handles a variety of frozen foods including vegetables and seafood. As its newest facility, SCS invested in a number of green initiatives at the site. However, despite being recognised as one of the company’s most sustainable facilities, SCS was eager to make the site more energy- and cost-efficient. Recognising that voltage optimisation could help improve energy efficiency, SCS asked the Powerstar team to complete a site survey to assess whether voltage optimisation could help it realise savings at the Laverton site.

A full site survey was performed to determine the exact electrical loading characteristics of the site’s equipment and, based on the survey, the Powerstar team determined that SCS could achieve substantial savings by implementing voltage optimisation technology. Upon recommendation, a 1000 kVA Powerstar unit was installed.

Doug Hamilton, Powerstar Australia Account Manager, explained why voltage optimisation technology can have a significant impact on energy used: “Due to the statutory electricity supply range for Australia, electricity suppliers are required to provide a voltage level that is between 253 and 216 V. Therefore, the supplier will distribute electricity at 253 V and the voltage will decrease over distance. Given that most electrical equipment is designed to work most efficiently at 220 to 230 V, energy consumption will increase if the voltage is supplied at a higher level.”

He added: “By optimising voltage at 220 V through the use of voltage optimisation technology, companies can achieve substantial savings on their electricity bills, extend the life of their equipment and move towards reducing carbon emissions.”

In addition to providing a no-maintenance solution, the Powerstar system supported SCS in reducing its direct electricity consumption by around 13-14% per annum while reducing the company’s CO₂ emissions by 490 tonnes. The system also improved power quality at the site, leading to reduced maintenance costs as less demand is placed on electrical equipment.

Sam Czyczelis, SCS General Manager Engineering Services, commented: “Thanks to Powerstar we were able to realise substantial savings. With the voltage level having been specifically adapted to accommodate the exact needs of the Laverton site, the potential for the electrical equipment to fail has also been drastically reduced, thus reducing maintenance costs on major electrical components.”

Added Hamilton: “Powerstar is not an off-the-shelf product but an engineered solution. Every unit is custom built to match building requirements and our project-led approach means that we were able to work with SCS to ensure that the highest possible savings were realised.”