EPRI: the highest recognition in power quality for the North American market
EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) is the leading authority on electric power quality for major end users in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is an independent, non-profit organization funded by US electric utilities and dedicated to researching and developing solutions that improve the reliability, efficiency, safety and sustainability of the power system.
Obtaining EPRI certification represents the highest level of technical and operational endorsement in the industry, as its recommendations directly influence investment decisions made by utilities, major industrial corporations and critical infrastructure operators.
Prequalification in EPRI PQ Investigator: direct access to the North American market
Certification of the 480 V UL DVR paves the way for its prequalification in EPRI PQ Investigator software, a tool used by 19 major US electric utilities to assess power quality issues and recommend mitigation solutions.
This means that ZGR’s 480 V UL DVR will be listed as an EPRI-recommended solution, complete with technical references and list prices, making it easier for end users to contact ZGR or Schneider Electric directly for implementation.
According to Jon Ander Beistegui, Industry Director at ZGR Corporación: “This market positioning represents a strategic opportunity for exponential growth in North America, positioning the DVR as an alternative validated and recommended by the leading power quality authority in the United States.”
Global partnership with Schneider Electric: a joint strategy for the NAM market
The EPRI-certified DVR AVC 480 V UL is marketed under the global agreement between ZGR Corporación and Schneider Electric, which has been in place since 2022. This strategic partnership helps accelerate the product’s market penetration across the NAM region (the US, Canada and Mexico) and delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution covering preliminary audits, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
EPRI certification further strengthens the joint positioning of both companies as leading technology partners in advanced power quality solutions, providing a comprehensive, end-to-end service tailored to the needs of the US and Canadian markets.
A rapidly growing market: data centers and energy-intensive industries
Against a backdrop of accelerating digitalization, expanding cloud computing and the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence, data centers have become critical infrastructure. According to Statista Market Insights, the global data center market is expected to reach USD 438 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 6.5%.
To address these evolving requirements, ZGR Corporación has developed the 480 V UL DVR, specifically designed to meet the needs of data centers and energy-intensive industries in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where continuity of power supply and power quality are critical factors for productivity and operational safety.
Electrical disturbances account for more than 50% of the issues affecting electrical and IT equipment and can lead to multi-million-dollar financial losses. ZGR’s DVR provides an advanced, reliable solution to ensure operational continuity for the most critical loads.
ZGR DVR 480 V UL: battery-free power electronics technology
ZGR’s 480 V UL DVR is a battery-free power electronics device designed to protect installations against voltage sags, voltage fluctuations and flicker effects. Its main features include:
- Modular power ratings from 150 kVA to 900 kVA
- Wide voltage range: 200 / 208 / 220 / 380 / 400 / 415 / 480 V
- Battery-free operation and continuous voltage regulation within the specified operating range
- Correction of three-phase voltage sags with depths of up to 60%
- Bidirectional current flow
- Minimal maintenance requirements
- Indoor and Outdoor versions
This technical versatility allows the solution to be tailored to the specific requirements of each installation, from large-scale data centers to industrial plants with critical processes requiring maximum power stability.
UL certification: an essential requirement for operation in North America
The 480 V UL DVR also holds UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification, an essential requirement for operation in the United States and Canada. This certification confirms compliance with the highest safety and reliability standards and facilitates the integration of the equipment into industrial and data center projects subject to additional certification and approval requirements.
The combination of EPRI and UL certifications positions ZGR’s 480 V UL DVR as a technically validated, commercially supported and operationally safe solution for the world’s most demanding market.
The combination of EPRI and UL certifications positions ZGR’s DVR AVC 480 V UL as a technically validated, commercially supported and operationally safe solution for the world’s most demanding market.
From the 1965 blackout to leadership in Power Quality: EPRI’s history
EPRI’s origins date back to 1965, following the historic Northeast blackout in the United States, which left more than 30 million people without electricity for several hours. This event exposed the vulnerability of the North American power system and marked a turning point for the energy industry.
In response, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) was established in 1973 as an independent organization tasked with leading research and developing solutions to improve the reliability, efficiency and safety of the power system. Since then, EPRI has established itself as the leading technical authority on power quality, setting standards that guide investment decisions by utilities and major industrial consumers throughout North America.
Innovation and excellence for the industry of the future
EPRI certification of the 480 V UL DVR represents another major milestone in ZGR Corporación’s commitment to technological innovation and global excellence. It reinforces the company’s ability to deliver advanced, customized power electronics solutions designed to address the challenges of Industry 5.0, the growth of Artificial Intelligence, 5G and large-scale data processing.
With this achievement, ZGR further consolidates its position as a key player in improving electric power quality in one of the world’s most strategic markets, contributing to the reliability and sustainability of the infrastructure underpinning the digital economy.
To learn more about our DVRs, visit our Power Quality section.
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