Green light for VPhase trials

VPHASE, the Chester-based developer of energy saving products, has won approval to test one of its products under the government’s carbon emissions reduction scheme.

The company said energy watchdog Ofgem had given it permission to test its VX1 product at homes which receive power from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).

The £200,000 cost of the trial will be mostly covered by SSE.

The results will indicate the level of carbon dioxide savings that can be claimed by utility companies through the government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) scheme from the sale of the VX1.

The CERT scheme, which runs until 2011, obliges energy suppliers with more than 50,000 domestic customers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by promoting energy efficiency and other carbon reduction technologies to domestic energy users.  

The CERT target is a carbon dioxide reduction of 154 million tonnes and the government estimates that the shcme will stimulate around £2.8bn of investment by energy suppliers in carbon reduction measures.  

VPhase, a spin-out from energy technology business Energetix, develops of energy saving products for domestic and commercial use based on voltage management.

The VX1 is VPhase’s first product and company tests have shown that fitting it to an average UK home reduces electricity usage and cuts bills by 10%.

Chief executive Lee Juby said: “I am delighted that the letter of intent signed between our two companies in September has resulted in a field trial agreement with funding in excess of £200,000. 

“It is expected that the VX1 product will make a significant contribution both to UK carbon reduction and the carbon targets of utility companies, whilst bringing significant savings to UK domestic energy consumers.”