A quantification of the energy savings by Conservation Voltage Reduction

The introduction of `Smart grid' technologies in the electricity supply industry has attracted new attention to Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR). CVR is a method that aims to save energy by reducing the voltage level of the electrical distribution network. However, not all devices consume less electricity when exposed to lower voltage levels; some devices keep energy consumption constant by extending their operating time, while others increase the current, leading to higher line losses. This paper describes a model designed to calculate the energy savings that can be reached through the use of CVR. The model has been applied to the Australian residential sector, showing that 0.4% of energy savings can be obtained for 1.0% of voltage reduction. Besides a description of the model and the results, the paper contains a thorough sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, we present a simple but effective formula to predict the energy savings by CVR.