The Problem

Cold Storage Is an Electrical Efficiency Problem

Cold storage facilities are dominated by VFD-driven compressors running continuously to maintain temperatures from +4°C to −25°C. These compressors are the biggest energy cost and the biggest source of harmonic distortion, generating 30–60% current THD that flows through your entire network.

10–25%
Typical energy savings for a 20,000 m² multi-temperature cold store

What Causes It

Compressor Harmonics and Defrost Spikes

VFD-driven compressors draw current in sharp pulses generating 5th, 7th, 11th, and 13th harmonics. With multiple compressors on the same bus, voltage THD reaches 7–10%. Defrost cycles add 200–500 kW demand spikes 4–6 times daily, creating ratchet charges that persist for months.

Why temperature accuracy depends on power quality + Read more− Close

Cold chain compliance requires ±0.5°C accuracy. Harmonic distortion above 5% THDv causes measurement noise in temperature sensors and instability in electronic expansion valve controllers. The result is temperature fluctuations that trigger compliance alerts and force compressors to work harder — consuming more energy while delivering less precise control.

The Solution

How HarmoniQ Works

HarmoniQ’s narrowband tuning technology eliminates compressor harmonic distortion while stabilising voltage during defrost cycles and motor starts. The system samples your network 20,000 times per second, maintaining clean 50/60 Hz power on every circuit.

HarmoniQ Filter

Reduces THD below 5% from compressor VFDs. Extends compressor motor life by 20–35%.

HarmoniQ Filter
HarmoniQ Alpha

Stabilises voltage for precise temperature control, eliminating supply fluctuations that cause compressor instability and monitoring drift.

HarmoniQ Alpha
HarmoniQ Booster

Corrects power factor from 0.72–0.85 to 0.98+, reducing demand peaks from compressor starts and defrost cycling. Eliminates ratchet charges.

HarmoniQ Booster

The Impact

What This Means for Your Facility

Savings Snapshot20,000 m² multi-temperature cold store — $1.0M annual electricity cost
MetricBeforeAfter HarmoniQImprovement
Power factor0.760.98+28.9%
Voltage THD7.2%2.8%−61%
Annual electricity cost$1,040,000$850,000−$190,000
Want to know the full picture?

Every facility is different. Our engineers will model the exact savings, deployment costs, and timeline for your specific site — get in touch for a site assessment.

Beyond the Bill

Compliance, Equipment Life & Sustainability

Clean power means more precise temperature control, fewer compliance incidents, and compressors that run cooler and last longer.

Annual CO₂ reduction of 92 tonnes — equivalent to planting roughly 4,400 trees, and supporting GCCA commitments and cold chain sustainability reporting.

Zero disruption to cold chain
HarmoniQ installs in parallel. No temperature excursions, no compressor shutdowns, no product risk.

How It Works

Three Steps. Zero Disruption.

1
→
Assess
Our engineers audit your electrical network and identify exactly where energy is being wasted.
2
→
Install
HarmoniQ deploys in parallel at your switchboard — no shutdowns, no disruption, no risk.
3
→
Save
Savings start from day one, verified in real time through our live monitoring portal.

Common Misconceptions

What We Hear — and the Reality

Myth
“Our compressors are new and efficient — we don’t have a power quality issue.”
Reality
New, VFD-driven compressors are more efficient at converting power to cooling — but their VFD front-ends generate just as much harmonic distortion as older units. In fact, newer facilities with more VFDs often have worse THD than older ones with direct-on-line motors.
Myth
“Temperature compliance is about our refrigeration controls, not our power supply.”
Reality
Your refrigeration controls can only be as precise as the power feeding them. Voltage distortion above 5% causes expansion valve instability and sensor noise. If you’re seeing unexplained temperature excursions despite well-maintained refrigeration plant, power quality is almost certainly a contributing factor.
Myth
“We can’t risk any interruption to our cold chain for an installation.”
Reality
Neither can we — which is why HarmoniQ installs in parallel at the switchboard with zero impact on refrigeration circuits. No compressor shutdowns, no temperature excursions, no product risk. The system is designed specifically for environments where downtime is not an option.