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High Power Factor Ecospiral™ Technology

 

A key reason for electricity utilities selecting the Ecospiral™ is its high power factor technical superiority. The high power factor Ecospiral™ results in a 50% greater electricity distribution network load reduction (approximately 17VA per bulb) than ordinary CFL's. This increased reduction is worth approximately $11 per Ecospiral™ of deferred new electricity distribution network capital investment for the utilities.

 

Large numbers of ordinary CFL's are also detrimental to electricity utility networks, as they cause electrical interference on their networks. This requires expensive electronic correction by the utilities. The high power factor Ecospiral™ does not create this electrical interference. Consequently, $4.30 of network correction per Ecospiral™ is avoided relative to installing a CFL.

 

A large Utility in Sydney, Australia recently ordered 180,000 Ecospiral™ lights (known as Ecobulb™ in Australia), despite the higher price than low power factor CFL's they were pursuing  This was because the utility was concerned about the impact of high numbers of CFL's on performance of the peak load shedding control systems.

 

An electricity utility network that replaces one million incandescent bulbs on at peak network times with Ecospiral™ lights will save $7.75 million more ($8.50 plus $2.80 per bulb times 1 million Ecospiral™ lights ) than if these bulbs were replaced with ordinary CFL's. Consequently it is extremely cost effective for electricity utilities to implement Ecospiral™ projects, rather than let the market replace incandescent bulbs with ordinary CFL's.  

 

Other light bulb manufacturers have attempted to develop high power factor CFL's. However, these bulbs are typically larger, with lower light output and reduced lifetimes. As they are more expensive to manufacture with no perceived consumer benefit, these developments have invariably ceased. It is likely that they will eventually produce viable high power factor CFL's to compete against the Ecospiral™. However, the Ecospiral™ then has a 15 month first mover advantage. This is because it takes 15 months to complete the CFL lifetime testing required by the electricity utilities before they would purchase these bulbs.


The following table compares the performance specifications for the Ecospiral™ with the 20W quality brand CFL. Note the considerably enhanced performance of the Ecospiral™ relative to typical standard power factor CFL’s.

 

 

Comparison of the 20W quality brand CFL with the 20W Ecospiral™ performance specifications

 

 

 

 

Description

Quality Brand CFL

Ecospiral™

Rated Wattage

20W

20W

Replaces

75W incandescent bulbs

75W incandescent bulbs

Bayonet and screw fittings

Yes

Yes

Length

5.2 inches

4.6 inches

Suitable for recessed lights

No

Yes

Suitable for dimmers

No

No

Suitable for frequent switching

Yes

Yes

Light Output

1,250 lumens

1,350 lumens

Light Color

2,700K

2,700K

Average service life

6,000h1

10,000h

Power Factor

0.54

0.93

Total Harmonic Distortion

125% THD

30% THD

Mercury content

Unknown

1.5mg (typical CFL: 5 – 10mg)

Recycled cardboard packaging

No

Yes

Every Ecospiral™ operated for 2hrs before shipping

Unknown

Yes (typical CFL: No)

NZ supermarket price

$7.95 (US$5.55)

$6.49 (US$4.55)

NZ guarantee

One year

Two years


1 Quality brands also produce 10,000h and 15,000h CFL’s. However, these are considerably more

   expensive than their 6,000h CFL.

 

The following table compares the net benefits for an electricity distribution utility per high power factor 20W Ecospiral™ installed on their network at peak load times relative to the 20W low power factor quality brand CFL.

 

 

Comparison of the net benefits for an electricity distribution utility per 20W Ecospiral™ relative to the 20W quality brand CFL
 

 

 

 

Wattage of incandescent bulb replaced2

75W

75W

Reactive power of incandescent bulb

75VA

75VA

Wattage of CFL

20W

20W

Power Factor of CFL

0.55

0.93

Reactive power CFL (wattage / power factor)

38VA

21VA

Reactive power saved

37VA (75 - 38)

54VA (75 - 21)

Network reactive savings3

$16.20

$27.50

Harmonic correction cost4

-$4

$0

Electricity distribution utility savings:
Reactive power
Harmonic correction
TOTAL


$19.20
-$2.80
$16.40


$27.50
$0
$27.50

Net electricity distribution utility capital saving relative to quality brand CFL

 

$11.30

 

This analysis demonstrates that there is a $11.30 net benefit to an electricity distribution utility per Ecospiral™ on at peak network times relative to the low power factor quality brand CFL. Consequently, it is considerably more cost effective for such utilities to invest in the Ecospiral™, even if considerably lower priced CFL’s are available.

 

2 Based on replacing a 75W incandescent bulb.
 

3 Based on the average approximate cost for electricity distribution utilities of $0.72USD per

   watt of new distribution line capacity.
 

4 Installation of Compact Fluorescent Lamps Assessment of Benefits, Report for Electricity

   Commission, Parsons Brinkerhoff, April 2006


For further information regarding the harmonic advantages of Ecospirals as well as the full report fro the New Zealand Electricity Commission detailing the impact of low power factor CFLs on the networks, please click the links below:


 

Leading Harmonics Expert Neville Watson Analyses Harmonic Impact of CFLs


2006 NZ Electricity Commission Rpt re: Monetary Impact of SPF CFLs to Utilities

 

 

 

 

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