FAQ
A Renecost system is installed between the power generator and the consumers. There, it continuously monitors the grid voltage and adjusts it to a level that is optimal for all connected devices. This ensures that energy is always used efficiently and that sensitive consumers are reliably protected.
At the same time, the system stabilises the voltage with a precision of up to 0.5%. In the event of a disturbance, the integrated self-monitoring system automatically detects the deviation and switches to so-called bypass mode. This guarantees an uninterrupted power supply.
Renecost is also equipped with an Ethernet interface and signalling contacts, enabling external monitoring and data acquisition. Naturally, all functions comply with the current DIN EN standards.
Renecost solutions are ideally suited to work with renewable energies. Their precise voltage adjustment ensures optimal integration into the power grid. This benefits not only energy consumers but also the environment. At the same time, the efficiency of renewable energies is further increased.
There are no losers – everyone wins.
Transformers, power supply units and switch-mode power supplies used for energy saving must be equipped with an electronic or electromechanical bypass system. This system connects the input supply to the output line as soon as internal problems occur in the operation of the transformer or power supply unit.
Voltage increases from around +5% (for example, permanently above 242 V in a 230 V network) can already have harmful effects. From this range onwards, electrical devices, motors and sensitive electronics can be negatively affected.
A Renecost system (voltage regulator/stabiliser) should be considered in order to:
The savings achieved with Renecost can be divided into two categories:
The level of savings depends on several factors:
Measurements carried out on several hundred installed Renecost systems show that direct energy savings of up to around 10% can be achieved. This confirms the effectiveness of the technology under real operating conditions.
Overvoltage harms the environment indirectly through:
Summary:
Overvoltage drives up energy use, material consumption and electronic waste – all of which put a strain on the environment. A voltage stabiliser can help counteract this.
Renewable energy sources increase grid voltage because they reverse the direction of power flow and, through the feed-in of active power over the line resistance, physically cause a rise in voltage.
Decentralised generation – especially from photovoltaic systems – leads to reversed power flows in low-voltage networks. Instead of drawing electricity from the grid operator, households feed power into the grid locally.
Physically, the voltage rises because:
This is particularly problematic in rural areas with weak grids and a high density of PV systems. Modern installations therefore often have to contribute to voltage regulation today by providing reactive power control.
An increase in voltage to 253 V (+10%) causes a motor operated directly on the grid to run faster and hotter. This leads to increased wear and a risk of overheating.
The key points:
Speed: increases by approx. 10%.
Temperature: rises due to the higher magnetising current.
Risk: motors that are already fully loaded may overheat and suffer insulation damage.
A permanent voltage increase from 230 V to 253 V (+10%) puts significant stress on the transformer. It runs hotter, louder and with a reduced service life.
Die
Power consumption increases with the square of the voltage (formula: P = U²/R).
Therefore, a 10% higher voltage results in (1.1)² = 1.21, i.e. 21% more power.
Because of this significantly higher power, the load runs much hotter.
The greatly increased temperature stresses the materials (e.g. the filament of a lamp)
and leads to a much faster failure.
The current increases in proportion to the voltage by 10% (formula: I = U/R).
steigt mit dem Quadrat der Spannung (Formel: P = U²/R).
Daher führt eine 10 % höhere Spannung zu (1,1)² = 1,21 bzw. 21 % mehr Leistung.
Der Verbraucher wird aufgrund der deutlich höheren Leistung viel heißer.
Die stark erhöhte Temperatur stresst die Materialien (z.B. den Glühdraht einer Lampe)
und führt zu einem deutlich schnelleren Ausfall.
Der Strom steigt proportional zur Spannung um 10 % an (Formel: I = U/R).
Medical devices, industrial control systems and computer systems are extremely sensitive to a sustained voltage increase from 230 V to 253 V. Possible consequences include:
Overloading of power supplies:
Switch-mode power supplies are operated beyond their specification, overheat and may fail.
Hardware damage:
Increased voltage stresses sensitive components such as processors, sensors and ICs, leading to immediate failures or long-term degradation.
System crashes & data loss:
Unstable voltage can cause malfunctions, crashes or data corruption, which is particularly critical in industrial and medical applications.
Reduced service life:
The additional thermal stress accelerates the ageing of all components.
230 V LEDs are heavily stressed by a sustained increase in voltage to 253 V. This leads to increased heat generation and significantly shortens their service life. In the worst case, they may fail immediately.
The internal driver has to “burn off” the excess voltage, causing it to run hotter. Electronic components (such as capacitors) age much faster at high temperatures. Cheap LEDs with poor heat dissipation or low-quality components are particularly at risk and may burn out.
12 V LEDs are powered via a power supply (transformer) designed for 230 V. An increase of the input voltage to 253 V damages this power supply so that it can no longer supply the 12 V LED correctly or is destroyed itself. As a result, the LED either receives no voltage at all or a voltage that is far too high, which destroys it.
Fans with an AC motor (without electronic control) run faster at higher voltage. The increased current makes them run hotter, which stresses the insulation and bearings and causes them to wear out more quickly.
As resistive loads, their power consumption increases with the square of the voltage. The higher temperature stresses the materials and leads to faster wear.
As resistive loads (heating elements), their power consumption increases with the square of the voltage. The higher temperature stresses the material and can lead to premature failure.