EP-X energy efficiency technology

The EP-X system is cutting-edge technology composed by a patented inductive filter that reduces disturbances and losses, acting mainly on the current waveform, useful for optimizing the energy consumption, decreasing the downtimes and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The EP-X can be compared with a noise reduction headset as an analogy as it works by injecting an electromagnetic counter-component (EMF) with an opposite flow that improves the energy transmission configuration, significantly reducing the disturbances and losses and providing several benefits to the Power Quality.

The EP-X system offers a centralised energy efficiency solution that is remarkably simple to install. It only requires the installation, in series, of a single device, preferably downstream of the low voltage circuit breaker and upstream of the loads handled.

The EP-X has been successfully installed in many business sectors like retail, food processing, mechanical industry, plastic industry, office buildings, hotels, shopping centres, public sector facilities, and independent third-party performance certification of the system is available.

The effectiveness of the EP-X system, widely tested in Europe in more than 1300 installations, allows a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, so contributing to environmental sustainability.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: it decreases disturbances and losses of the electrical network, bringing a real energy efficiency; improves the quality of energy (Power Quality) on the loads, reducing the plant downtimes which can lead to great economic losses, particularly in the industrial sector.

FINANCIAL SAVING: it reduces the electricity consumption providing the same work performed, normally generating a variable energy efficiency between 3% to 6% according to the kinds of loads which are present in the line; the result is scientifically measurable thanks to the Patented Bypass System and the data monitoring and control system managed by E-Controller. Financial saving can be projected for 25 years, the average lifespan of the EP-X system.

EMISSIONS REDUCTION: every kWh saved is equivalent to 0,5 kg of lower CO₂ emissions (EU 28), where each kg of CO₂ saved corresponds to 0,0025 kg of lower NO_x (nitrogen oxides) emissions, and each kg of CO₂ saved amounts to 0,005 kg of lower SO_x (sulfur oxides) emissions, thus contribute to the preservation of the planet for future generations.

LOWER MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVED EQUIPMENT LIFESPAN: improved Power Quality contributes substantially to lower maintenance and the extension of electrical equipment's lifecycle.

The EP-X system offers a centralised energy efficiency solution that is remarkably simple to install. It only requires the installation, in series, of a single device, preferably downstream of the low voltage circuit breaker and upstream of the loads handled.

EP-X is a patented inductive filter that reduces disturbances and losses, acting mainly on the current waveform, thanks to its capabilities to manage, control and modulate the electromagnetic counter-component (EMF)

At the heart of the technology, is the ability to inject in the power flow an electromagnetic counter-component (EMF) in opposition of phase (I_{Feedback loop}), that improves the energy transmission configuration, significantly reducing the disturbances and losses and providing several benefits to the Power Quality. 

The operating principle is based on the family of inductors and Electro Magnetic Interference filters (EMI) with the peculiarity that the inductance is not constant, but it changes dynamically its filter impedance value adapting to the power absorption of the electrical network; in fact, due to a system of mutually coupled inductors and contactors (allowing selection of 4 saving levels), the inductance dynamically changes its value, thus offering the possibility to increase or decrease the filtering capacity of disturbances that reduce Power Quality, finally producing real and significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency.

Thanks to the presence of reactive components, switches and contactors, there are no losses produced by the system and the self-consumption is practically undetectable, unlike what happens in active filters with resistors and switching power supply (SCRs, MOSFETs). In addition, the circuit configuration is such that the system can be connected and disconnected from the electrical plant without compromising in any way its operation, thanks to a Patented Bypass System.

The Bypass system ensures the continuity of the power supply on the electrical network and allows the measurability of the performance. The heart of the Bypass System consists of an ABB switch-disconnector.

The ABB switch-disconnector, a cornerstone of our technology, carries out two primary functions that are vital for the system's performance and operation:

1. It allows the EP-X to ensure continuity of the power supply to the electrical network, excluding the EP-X in case of malfunction or problems on the line. 
2. It allows, according to the IMQ-certified measurement protocol, a series of switching between the two operating modes: “Saving mode", filter activated, and “Bypass mode", filter deactivated, which allows to have an exact comparison between operations with and without the filter, measuring the value of the energy efficiency obtained.

Reduces the losses on the line, improves the Power Quality and generates real efficiency, scientifically measurable, moreover reduces the downtimes. 

The EP-X is based on well-known technologies, and the patent stands in the design of the inductors and how they are connected to generate real energy efficiency by improving the quality of energy, simultaneously acting on all electrical parameters that compose the power v(t) and i(t). To do this, it intervenes on electrical parameters that make up the power, improving the current waveform, reducing the disturbances (i.e. harmonics, etc...), helping to lower line losses, improving the crest and power factors, optimizing energy transmission on the line, stabilizing the voltage and current.

Imagine that you want to swim 100 meters below 1 minute (energy efficiency) in a swimming pool (the swimmer is the electric load). Besides the necessity of good physical condition (proper electrical installation), you would need an excellent environment of the pool; however, as you swim to the other side of the pool, you will create waves with your arms and legs movements. 

Imagine you are doing this action again, but in the meantime, 20 more swimmers (electrical network) have been added to the pool, and with the movement of their arms and legs, they will generate additional waves (harmonics and disturbances created by other loads, such as machines, inverters, computers, etc…) that will produce the effect of resisting your movement, or in other words, there will be more resistance while you swim to the other side of the pool. 

So, if you want to reach the other side of the pool again in less than 1 minute, you will have to increase your effort, and therefore more energy will be consumed to do the same work due to the increased resistance. 

Thanks to EP-X system, the waves crashing against you from the other 20 people, who jumped into the pool, will be reduced. The effect described, what happened in the pool (electrical network) also happens in any real electrical system, and thanks to the installation of EP-X, the disturbances originating from other electrical loads will be substantially reduced, saving energy and stabilizing the electrical network.

Thanks to the Patented Bypass System and the monitoring guaranteed by E-Controller device, an electronic system based on web technology that enables the management and monitoring of the electrical system, it is possible to quickly measure the energy efficiency achieved by EP-X with scientific accuracy, thanks to the IMQ-certified measurement protocol.

Through its effects on Power Quality, the EP-X reduces the susceptibility of the entire electrical system, increasing its efficiency and reliability thanks to a reduced deterioration of the equipment and reduced maintenance.

Another important benefit, not easily quantifiable, but always reported by our customers, particularly in the industrial sector, is the reduction of the downtimes, that in specific operations can lead to great economic losses.

This translates into protection of technology investments, energy efficiency, a drastic reduction in maintenance and downtime, and a consequent increase in production and sales.

All the benefits generated in terms of energy, finance and sustainability can be constantly monitored thanks to software designed to make access to data and reporting intuitive.