26 Nov 2009 14:50
| Press Release | 26 November 2009 |
VPhase plc
('VPhase' or 'the Company')
Scottish and Southern Energy announces trial of VPhase units
VPhase plc (AIM:VPHA), a leading developer of energy saving products for residential and commercial properties, is pleased to announce that Scottish and Southern Energy plc ("SSE") has commenced a three-month trial of the VPhase smart voltage management units.
The units are being fitted by SSE subsidiary Southern Electric in about 50 houses, in a programme supported by Ofgem, under the UK Government's Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) programme.
SSE has today made a press announcement about the trial. The full transcript of the announcement is set out below:
UK-first energy saving trial launches in Berkshire
Householders in Berkshire are to become some of the first in the UK to get greater control over their electricity with a clever electronic gadget that manages the voltage into the home. The device aims to cut energy bills and will revolutionise how homes use electricity.
In a three month trial, local energy company, Southern Electric, is fitting innovative VPhase devices, which electronically manage the level of voltage supplied into homes. Around 50 houses in the Thatcham, Newbury and Reading areas will be getting the new gadgets that ensure household appliances receive just the right amount of voltage to operate in the most efficient way.
Traditionally electricity has always been supplied at 240 volts but many modern appliances, such as fridges, TVs and lights, can work efficiently on 220 volts. The VPhase gadget reduces the electricity voltage to the areas of the home needing only 220 volts whilst maintaining the necessary higher voltage to other zones, such as central heating and cookers. As the voltage is reduced, far less energy is used, with a typical home seeing energy savings of up to 17% on a class A freezer, 15% on lighting and 10% on new energy saving light bulbs. The device also gives further savings on washing machines, tumble driers, dishwashers, televisions and a whole range of other electrical appliances across the whole home.
Stephen Millward, Southern Electric's energy efficiency manager, said "Equipment like this has been available for industrial and commercial buildings for some time but this is the first trial in people's homes. We will be monitoring closely how well the devices work and also what our customers think of them. If the trial is successful, these devices could be rolled out to millions of homes across the UK, saving householders significant amounts on their bills and bringing obvious environmental benefits as well."
The VPhase device, known as the VX1, looks like, and is the same size as, a standard fuse box. Volunteer homeowners taking part in the trial will have one fitted next to their fuse box, as well as a new generation smart meter and some data logging equipment.
During the trial, which is being backed by the industry regulator OFGEM, Southern Electric will monitor the devices. At the end of three months, Southern Electric will assess the success of the project and the future viability of the technology involved.
- Ends -
| VPhase plc | |
| Adrian Hutchings, Executive Chairman | Tel:+44 (0) 151 348 2100 |
| Dr Lee Juby, Chief Executive Officer | +44 (0) 151 348 2100 |
| Richard Smith, Chief Financial Officer | +44 (0) 151 348 2116 |
| | www.vphase.com |
| Ambrian Partners Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7634 4700 |
| Andrew Craig/Ben Wright, NOMAD | |
| Shaun Whyte, Corporate Broking | www.ambrian.com |
| Abchurch Communications Limited | +44 (0) 20 7398 7700 |
| Justin Heath / Monique Tsang | |
| monique.tsang@abchurch-group.com | www.abchurch-group.com |
Notes to Editors:
VPhase plc is a subsidiary of Energetix Group plc. Energetix Group has three businesses with cost-effective products to meet the growing global demand for alternative energy technologies. With a focus on distributed generation, energy storage and energy efficiency, the Energetix businesses are:
• Pnu Power - compressed air back-up power
• Genlec - distributed generation in the home
• VPhase - domestic energy efficiency
www.energetixgroup.com and www.vphaseplc.com
Southern Electric is a leading UK-owned provider of electricity and gas. Its principal centres of operation are in Thatcham, Havant, Reading, Portsmouth and Basingstoke. Southern Electric's parent company, Scottish and Southern Energy, supplies more than 9 million customers through its retail brands, Southern Electric, SWALEC, Scottish Hydro Electric and Atlantic. SSE is the largest non-nuclear electricity generator with over 10,000 megawatts of capacity from the most diverse portfolio of power stations. It is also the leading generator of electricity from renewable resources.