The Basic Power Unit™ (BPU™) is a third generation energy efficient product developed by technologist and engineer, Guy Lestician. Mr. Lestician pioneered the patented technology in the BPU™ that provides an approach to improving power quality and energy savings by improving overall electrical system efficiency. The first generation unit was known as the EPIC Box and was developed for Verizon as a solution for lightning strikes and surge suppression. During the testing of the EPIC Box in the late 1990’s, much to the surprise of Mr. Lestician it was shown by Verizon to save 8% of the energy consumed.
The second generation technology was known as the Energy Bank Unit (EBU) which focused more on power factor correction. This technology received independent third party verification from Wilkes University and Lehigh University in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center verified the product was internally consistent with patents, and the unit performed as claimed both physically and mathematically. The technology was tested and proven to provide energy savings in the 11% to 20% range. This was consistent with all other tests and verifications performed on the product at various facilities in various environments. Over 5,000 second generation units were installed in the United States and Russia from mid-2000’s to 2010.
Then Mr. Lestician began to focus more on the demand side or kWh reduction. Basic Power is currently undergoing third party verification testing at several locations and with several firms and has installed over 100 units during 2014 in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Results from these installations are being gathered and more independent reports will be provided as they are received. As a result of the experience and testing of the BPU™, the manufacturer can confidently offer a money back guarantee of a minimum 11% kWh reduction, however we have seen kWh reductions up to 30%.
In addition to kWh reduction, the Basic Power Unit™ provides lightning protection, surge suppression, phase balancing, voltage sag and swell reduction, harmonic mitigation, and current reduction as a single solution at the facility level. It has a unique method of harmonics suppression that is apparent in an electrical system, and it effectively increases power factor while reducing current draw on the electrical feed. Minimizing the harmonics in electrical systems allows the unit to eliminate wasted energy, thereby reducing kWh consumption.
New patents covering the BPU™ have been filed in the United States and internationally in 2014 and a first office action indicates over 90% of the claims have been granted. Also, the product complies with MET, UL-508A, CSA C22.2 No. 12, and now has its CE certification for sells into Europe.
Attached are power quality reports based on EBU tests at McDonald’s, US Foodservice, and Siemens facilities. The tests were performed and verified by independent third-party certified electricians based on measurements taken at the primary feed switchgear utilizing a Dranetz-BMI Power Vista and certified probes.
McDonald's
The unit was installed on a flagship McDonald’s restaurant in Chicago known as Rock N Roll McDonald's, one of the highest volume McDonald’s in the world operating 24/7. The facility has a 3 phase 208V service located at the rear of the building.The test revealed a cumulative energy savings, measured in kWh, of 19.09%. This would result in monthly Demand savings of approximately $190.90 for every $1,000.00 expended in kWh.
Rock N Roll McDonald’s (3 phase 208V) – EBU(BPU) Test Results
Harmonic Energy Test
A harmonics analysis was performed at this location to determine the amount of harmonic energy that is present both before and after the installation of the unit. The results indicate a 19.62% reduction in harmonic energy at the restaurant. This is an indication that the harmonic filter in the unit is effectively eliminating the harmonic distortion caused by electrical equipment and deflecting harmonic currents to the ground system.
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| Harmonic Power (Watts) |
The unit has shown improvments in this McDonald’s restaurant with regard to phase balancing, current draw, kWh savings (actual energy savings), and power factor.
Conclusion:
- Total current draw at the restaurant was reduced by 13.17%.
- kWh consumption was reduced by 19.09% thereby reducing the electrical utility bill for Demand.
- The average power factor was very good to begin with, but had oddly shown a slight decrease from .94 to .93.
- Peak current was reduced significantly by 28.04%. Apparently, the unit clipped or supressed spikes in current for sudden demand conditions.
- Harmonic energy present at the location was effectively reduced by approximately 19.62%.
US Foodservice
A power quality test was performed at a US Foodservice distribution center using a combination of 1 and 2 EBU C600’s. This location has a 3-phase 480V service, with a feed entering through back of the building.
A total of three tests were performed at this site:
- A power quality test of the building with no EBU’s installed for a baseline
- A power quality test of the building with 1 EBU C600 installed.
- A power quality test of the building with 2 EBU C600’s installed.
The tests revealed considerable cumulative energy savings, measured in kWh. With 2 EBU C600’s installed total kWh consumption was reduced 18%, reducing monthly Demand and utility company energy charges resulting in a savings of $180 for every $1000 billed.
The US Foodservice electrical system also experienced increased phase balancing, current draw reductions, and peak current reduction during in-rush conditions.
Figure 1: Results of a baseline test with no unit versus results with 1 unit installed
Figure 2: Results of a baseline test with no unit versus results with 2 units installed
As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the unit was able to lower total billable kWh. In this instance, two units were able to achieve substantially greater savings by working in parallel, reducing kWh by 18%.
Figure 3: Shows actual kWh reduction with 2 units installed.
Figure 4: Shows the phase angle correction performed by the unit.
The unit has shown improvements in the US Foodservice distribution center with regard to phase balancing, current draw, kWh savings (actual energy savings), and power factor.
Conclusion:
- kWh consumption was reduced by 18%, thereby reducing the electrical utility bill for Demand.
- The facility showed an unbalance in phase angles. With the unit in place, unbalanced phases will continuously be corrected and provide a safeguard against any future anamolies.
- Total current draw in the facility was reduced by 7%.
- Power factor was very high for this facility, showing an increase from .91 to .97 with the addition of the units. The resulting power factor is a 6% improvement.
Siemens Fast Warehouse
The unit was installed on 3-phase 480V at a Siemens warehouse location. The objective was to reduce current draw and lower kWh consumption. A timed test was performed on the main with the unit ON and the unit OFF. Third party verification shows a cumulative energy savings of 15%, measured in kWh. Also, power factor increased 4%.The facility also experienced proper phase balancing, current draw reductions, and peak current reduction during in-rush conditions.
Conclusion:
- Total current draw in the facility was reduced by 13%.
- kWh consumption was reduced by 15%, thereby reducing the electrical utility bill for Demand.
- Power factor was very high for this facility, showing a increase from .87 to .91 with the addition of the unit. The resulting power factor is a 4% improvement.
- This facility had well-balanced phases during the testing. As a result, there was little room for improvement. However, this may change as different loads are running, which could otherwise lead to an unbalancing of the phases. With the unit in place, unbalanced phases will continuously be corrected and provide a safeguard against any future anomalies.
Siemens Test Rig
The unit was installed on 3-phase 480V at a Siemens warehouse location. The objective was to achieve kWh reduction and improved power factor. A timed test was performed on the main with the unit ON and the unit OFF. The power system achieved a cumulative energy savings of 21%, measured in kWh. Power factor increased 12%, which is significant. This would result in monthly Demand savings of approximately $210.00 for every $1,000.00 expended in kWh.The facility also experienced proper phase balancing (minimal corrections), current draw reductions, and peak current reduction during in-rush conditions with the unit installed.
Conclusion:
- Total current draw in the facility was reduced by 9%.
- kWh consumption was reduced by 21%, thereby reducing the electrical utility bill for Demand charges.
- Power factor was very high for this facility, showing a increase from .73 to .83 with the addition of the unit. The resulting power factor is a 12% improvement.
Siemens Lab
The unit was installed on 3-phase 480V at a Siemens lab facility with a feed entering through back of the building. Before conducting a test of the unit on the facility, a grounding issue was corrected to produce an environment suited to make the unit function properly. A good ground is essential to ensure the unit will function properly.A timed test was performed on the main with the unit ON and the unit OFF. The facility had a cumulative energy savings, measured in kWh, of 13.8%. Power factor also increased 6%. This would result in monthly Demand savings of approximately $138.00 for every $1,000.00 expended in kWh.
Conclusion:
- Total current draw in the facility was reduced by 6%.
- kWh consumption was reduced by 13.8%, thereby reducing the electrical utility bill for Demand.
- Power factor was very high for this facility, showing a slight increase from .77 to .82 with the addition of the unit. The resulting power factor is a 6% improvement. Any increase in power factor is good and will help lower utility cost.
