Energy Saving

Pistorello Group has avant-garde systems for optimizing energy consumption in the public lighting field, in the tertiary and industrial sectors.

Often during our analysis we notice anomalies in the power factor correction system due to a continuous increase of electrical loads or to incorrect maintenance and checking of the systems.

Energy-efficient motors

Motors are practically found in all industrial applications and processes, they add up to 74% of electrical energy needs of the sector having significant repercussions on the company balance sheet.
Their widespread presence, along with their reliability, generally cause them to be overlooked from the point of view regarding energy efficiency. But the adoption of frequency control systems allows to notably reduce energy consumption especially in the high power field. There are greater possibilities in intervening as to fans and pumps, which have applicability fields of a good 60% and possible savings of about 35%. Notwithstanding the above, everyone tries to save on purchase prices by choosing poor-quality motors, without thinking that an additional small surplus on the price aimed at buying a more efficient motor may be recovered in a very interesting payback time.

Light Energy System

After a preliminary energy check-up we are able to establish the percentage of energy which can be reduced by implementing ad hoc technologies. This is possible by operating on the electrical input settings of light sources such as halogen, fluorescence, mercury vapour, sodium vapour and metal halide lamps. Noticeable benefits vary from a minimum 18% saving to a maximum saving of 35% for particular applications. In addition, the devices can be equipped with a system that regulates the luminous flow which operates on the basis of the amount of incoming natural external light allowing to reach maximum energy efficiency of the system. An active remote control of the systems can be carried out to guarantee monitoring divided between the light line and the motive force. The absence of parts that move totally eliminates any need of maintenance or periodical overhauling with an incredible improvement of reliability of the system. These devices are subject to tax deductions as they produce benefits deriving from efficient use of energy.

Electrical power factor correction

Inductive loads, such as electrical motors and fluorescence lamps, determine phase displacement of the current compared to the voltage, with well known technical consequences:

an increase of circulating current in the conductors, which imposes their oversizing and possible problems due to overheating,
voltage drops in the internal distribution network,
a reduction of active power which can be conveyed along the cables.

The law on transport (resolution of the Electrical and Gas Energy Authority), which adjusts the CIP (Interministerial Economic Planning Committee) 11/78 provision to the new rules, provides for penalties for low power factors. On carrying out their service, Pistorello Group technicians also verify the presence of harmonic components of the current in order to intervene in a more organic and rational way. Depending on the internal structure of the company/institution, condensers may be stationed in a cabin, near inductive utilities o in both sites. The latter is the optimal solution and the more rational one from a technical point of view, as correcting the power factor near utilities which absorb reactive energy allows reducing to a minimum losses in the internal network. It is surely recommendable where there are strong inductive loads (large motors, for instance). When displacement is due to a multiplicity of small diffused users the former solution results being more practicable, which avoids payments of penalties but does not eliminate overloads and internal network problems. The right mix of the two solutions is often made use of in order to maximize their advantages. Watching over the automatic connection and disconnection devices of the batteries of the condensers is important in order to avoid that they displace the phase in advance when the inductive devices are switched off. As a general rule, when there are variable loads throughout the day, providing for these control systems is essential.

Building Automation

Open systems, by guaranteeing total integration of the components which make them up, improve environmental comfort, increase safety, simplify management and reduce costs in time. Interesting applications have been implemented in the consumption management field, in monitoring input and output signals thus allowing correct functionality of production processes. It has recently attained excellent development in low energy consumption systems such as clima and passive houses for managing functionality and house comfort.