
The industry standard allows delivering voltage from 114 to 126V, with the center point at 120V. DVI’s Edge platform software lets the utility optimize the voltage delivered to the customer towards the lower end, while still complying with customer equipment performance requirements.
Dominion Voltage Inc has been awarded a patent for its Edge technology that lets electric utilities plan, manage, and validate voltage conservation for grid optimization. The patent title from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is “Voltage Conservation Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Substation Centralized Voltage Control.”
“Unlike the voltage conservation processes in use for decades, DVI’s Edge technology is the only one to obtain voltage data directly from dynamically selected meters at the end-user level,” said Phillip W. Powell, DVI director of Grid Innovations. “This allows for a more precise and more efficient delivery of electricity to customers.”
“The patent for Edge is a game-changer for the industry,” said Todd Headlee, director of DVI. “Many utilities are looking for voltage conservation solutions. DVI’s patent recognizes the unique methodology of the Edge platform and its capability to reduce energy usage across the distribution network.”
Utilities with AMI can take advantage of its energy-saving benefits immediately. For utilities not yet using AMI, the energy savings that the Edge platform delivers can make the investment more affordable. “It’s a win-win for both the consumer and the utility,” Headlee said.
The industry standard allows delivering voltage from 114 to 126V, with the center point at 120V. DVI’s Edge platform enables the utility to optimize the voltage delivered to the customer towards the lower end, while still complying with customer equipment performance requirements.
For the consumer, Edge can result in reducing the customer’s electric bill by 3 to 5% with no change in the customer’s behavior, compared with savings of 1-1½% through traditional voltage conservation programs. Additionally, with DVI’s platform, the reduced voltage levels at the customer’s residence or business result in less stress on electric and electronic equipment and less waste heat, which is expected to lengthen the equipment’s lifespan.
For electric utilities, DVI’s platform is designed to enable them to realize savings through voltage conservation by reducing their fuel and purchased power costs. Edge is unique in providing the platform for increased, sustainable savings. Edge Planner works with existing system planning tools and processes to make the Conservation Voltage Reduction business case circuit by circuit.Edge Manager has been designed to integrate seamlessly into existing distribution control systems, enabling utilities to improve their voltage controls without changing or disrupting their existing processes or systems. Edge Validator calculates actual savings from Edge or any other demand-side programs.
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