According to the Climate Change Act, the UK is legally committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 0% of 1990 levels by 2050. A key part of this strategy is transitioning from fossil fuel-powered energy to renewable electricity. However, the current state of the UK grid is leading to voltage optimisation opportunities as many businesses are using around 8% more electricity than necessary, primarily due to historical grid standardisation.
The UK’s grid voltage is a relic of the historical split between the 240V system used in the UK and the 220V system in Continental Europe. In 1993, to standardise across the EU, a 230V average was agreed upon, but the UK grid still delivers voltage with a range from 216V to 253V. Most electrical appliances are designed to work efficiently at 220V, meaning that much of the UK’s electrical equipment is overvolted, wasting energy.
Voltage optimisation technology can play a crucial role in addressing this. By reducing the incoming voltage to the optimal level, businesses can reduce energy consumption and associated costs, while also extending the lifespan of their equipment.
 
For businesses, the impact of overvoltage is primarily financial. On average, overvolting leads to around an 8% increase in electricity bills, with costs rising between 5% and 12%. This was felt most acutely in 2022, when energy prices reached record highs. Over time, these additional energy costs can add up to significant sums for businesses, especially those with high energy consumption. For example, at 2024 energy rates, the UK could save approximately £1.9 billion through proper voltage optimisation practices.
In addition, running appliances at higher voltages leads to increased heat generation, which shortens their operational lifespan. Overvoltage can reduce the working life of appliances by up to 46%, adding further costs in terms of maintenance and replacements.
The environmental impact of energy waste due to overvoltage is just as significant as the financial one. Reducing wasted energy is key to achieving Net Zero targets, and voltage optimisation offers a practical and immediate way to lower energy consumption.
By reducing the incoming voltage to 220V—the optimal level for most electrical equipment—voltage optimisation ensures that less energy is wasted. This, in turn, reduces the amount of electricity that needs to be generated, allowing a greater percentage of power to come from renewable sources, reducing strain on the grid, and lowering carbon emissions.
In many cases, a large voltage optimisation system can be installed at the incoming power supply, but this isn’t always the best solution for complex facilities. For example, in some data centres, servers draw power from uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) that already regulate voltage. Instead of optimising the entire system, a smaller voltage optimisation unit can be installed to target high-energy components like cooling systems, maximising energy savings where they will have the greatest impact.
As the UK continues to integrate more renewable energy into the grid, fluctuations in voltage are expected to increase. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar can cause voltage spikes, especially when demand is low and generation is high. Voltage optimisation helps protect facilities from these fluctuations, ensuring that their equipment operates efficiently and preventing overvoltage issues that can arise from renewable energy generation.
By reducing energy waste through voltage optimisation, businesses can enhance the efficiency of their renewable energy systems. This minimises the need for additional renewable installations and helps lower overall electricity costs. For example, a planned £24 billion renewable energy project aims to supply 8% of the UK’s electricity demand—exactly the amount that could be saved through voltage optimisation across the grid.
Voltage optimisation provides businesses with a simple yet highly effective way to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and contribute to sustainability goals. By addressing overvoltage and ensuring equipment operates at optimal levels, companies can immediately cut their energy bills by around 8%, extend the life of their equipment, and reduce their carbon footprint.
As the UK continues its journey towards Net Zero, voltage optimisation will become an increasingly important tool for businesses seeking to reduce energy waste and improve their overall efficiency.
Energy saving – it’s something that’s hugely important for all of us, irrespective of whether you’re running a commercial business or simply looking to optimise energy use in your home. However, this isn’t necessarily a simple process, and there are several do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind to help.
Energy saving – it’s something that’s hugely important for all of us, irrespective of whether you’re running a commercial business or simply looking to optimise energy use in your home. However, this isn’t necessarily a simple process, and there are several do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind to help.
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