Onsite backup power provides a reliable and cost-effective way to mitigate the risk of economic loss and societal hardship from power outages. Many businesses suffer economic losses due to disruptions of electric power supply during a natural disaster. For businesses with highly sensitive loads such as data centers and financial institutions, the risk of economic losses from downtime is high. For many facilities, such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes, there is a life safety aspect to consider. Other facilities, such as cell tower sites, emergency call centers, and gas stations, have far-reaching social impact and their availability is critical. Investment in onsite backup power equipment can ensure reliability, safety, and productivity.
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Onsite backup systems use local generation at the facility site to provide power when the utility is not available. The backup power system may or not be interconnected with the utility grid. Onsite electrical power generating systems are readily available in a wide variety of designs for specific uses and customer applications. This type of power system consists of a power source and a means to transfer power from that source to the load when an outage occurs. Remote monitoring and control systems that allow an operator to check the system status and operate the system remotely are becoming more commonplace. The generator’s primary fuel source can be natural gas (NG), propane, or diesel.
Fuel selection : The selection of NG, diesel, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) should be made based on the application’s characteristics and requirements. Considerations for choosing among the different types include:
Designing a generator set installation requires consideration of equipment and application requirements. These vary depending on the reasons for having the generator set and used. Reviewing and understanding these reasons is an appropriate starting point for system design and equipment choices. No single solution meets all needs. Before configuring a system, facility managers should consider the intended use of the generator set and a number of other factors, as follows:
General requirements: Consider code requirements for emergency power and voluntary installations of standby power to mitigate the risk of loss of services, data, or other valuable assets. One system may be used for both of these general needs provided that life safety needs have priority.
Load-specific requirements: A wide range of specific requirements will result in the need for onsite electric generation systems which tend to vary by application type. Some common installations are:
Location: One of the first design decisions will be to determine whether the location of the generator set will be inside a building or outside in a shelter or housing. The overall cost and ease of installation of the power system depend upon the layout and physical location of all elements of the system—generator set, fuel tanks, ventilation ducts and louvers, accessories, etc. For indoor and outdoor locations, key considerations include:
It is critical to recognize and take into account all these factors while designing the system and think through possible disruptions of an emergency event or natural disaster. The systems components need to be designed for security from flooding, fire, icing, wind, and snow. For example, during Superstorm Sandy, some facilities experienced disruption in backup power because diesel fuel pumps flooded. This could have been avoided by placing the pumps in a different location.
Generator ratings: Onsite power generation systems can be classified by type and generating equipment rating. The generating equipment is rated using standby, prime, and continuous ratings. The ratings definitions are important to understand when applying the equipment and depend on the intended use of the equipment. Power ratings for diesel generator sets are published by the manufacturers in accordance with ISO . These ratings describe maximum allowable loading conditions on a generator set.
It is important to operate generator sets according to published ratings and at a sufficient minimum load to achieve normal temperatures and properly burn fuel.
Environmental considerations: The most critical environmental issues are those related to noise, exhaust emissions, and fuel storage. Emissions are a complex topic and should be taken into consideration at the early stages of backup power decision making. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines “stationary emergency applications” as those in which the generator set operates only during periods of an outage of the normal utility power supply (with the exception of limited-duration operation for testing and maintenance). All other uses, such as prime power, rate curtailment, and storm avoidance, constitute non-emergency use. While the EPA does not impose a limit on the number of hours that a generator may operate in emergency situations, the EPA does limit operators to 100 hours per year.
Preventive maintenance for diesel engine generators plays a critical role in maximizing reliability, minimizing repairs, and reducing long-term costs. Because of the durability of diesel engines, most maintenance is preventive in nature. By following generally recognized generator maintenance procedures and specific manufacturer recommendations for the application, facilities will be assured that the backup power system will start and run when needed most. It is generally a good idea to establish and adhere to a schedule of maintenance and service based on the specific power application and the severity of the environment. The following areas should be inspected frequently to maintain safe and reliable operation:
Lack of adherence to a preventative maintenance schedule is one of the leading causes of failure of a backup power system. When preparing for an emergency, one should pay particular attention to the starting batteries. Weak or undercharged starting batteries are the most common cause of standby power system failures. Even when kept fully charged and maintained, lead-acid starting batteries are subject to deterioration over time and must be periodically replaced when they no longer hold a proper charge. Only a regular schedule of inspection and testing under load can prevent generator starting problems. Merely checking the output voltage of the batteries is not indicative of their ability to deliver adequate starting power. As batteries age, their internal resistance to current flow increases, and the only accurate measure of terminal voltage must be done under load.
Generator sets on standby must be able to go from a cold start to fully operational in a matter of seconds. This can impose a severe burden on engine parts; however, regular exercising keeps engine parts lubricated, prevents oxidation of electrical contacts, uses up fuel before it deteriorates, and helps provide reliable engine starting. Periods of no-load operation should be held to a minimum because unburned fuel tends to accumulate in the exhaust system.
To ensure continuity of critical services and protect crucial facilities from power outages, facility owners, and operators should follow these recommendations:
Power outages can't be predicted, and they can really ruin your day. That's exactly what happened when Puerto Rico's beleaguered power grid failed, leading to power outages on New Year's Eve. Thankfully, there are ways to be prepared for power outages this summer. There are two main options available when preparing your home in case of a power outage: home batteries and generators. Here, we break down how to choose the best option for you.
Previously, the only option was fuel-powered standby generators, but these days there are plenty of different backup power solutions. Quieter, fume-free home battery backups have arrived and are here to stay. Generators can run as long as you have fuel (usually propane, diesel or methane gas -- more commonly known as natural gas) to feed them. Home batteries also come without the carbon monoxide risk, noise or as much of the fuel cost. Solar panels can help keep your battery topped off but come with their own price tags.
Batteries and generators provide the same basic service, but are considerably different devices. They both have pros and cons, so here's what you need to know when choosing.
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These pieces of equipment perform the same basic job but come with different costs, maintenance requirements and performance.
In terms of cost, battery backups are the pricier option upfront. Generators need fuel to run, which means that you'll spend more money over time to maintain a steady fuel supply.
With battery backups, you'll need to pay for the backup battery system, as well as installation costs (each of which are in the thousands). Exact pricing will vary based on which battery model you choose and how many of them you need to power your home. It's common for an average-size home battery backup system to run between $10,000 and $20,000.
For generators, the up-front costs are slightly lower. On average, the price of purchasing and installing a standby generator can range from $7,000 to $15,000. Remember that generators require fuel to run, which will increase your operating expenses. The specific costs will depend on a few factors, including the size of your generator, which type of fuel it uses and the amount of fuel used to run it. You may also need to pay for regular maintenance or inspections of your generator.
Battery backups earn a slight edge in this category because they can be mounted to the wall or floor, whereas generator installations require a bit more work. Regardless, you'll need to hire a professional for either type of installation, both of which will require a full day of work and may cost several thousand dollars.
Some home batteries are more like oversized portable power stations and require little more than having an electrician install a transfer switch or smart electrical panel.
Aside from setting up the device itself, installing a generator also requires pouring a concrete slab, connecting the generator to a dedicated fuel source and installing a transfer switch.
Battery backups are the clear winner in this category. They're quiet, run independently, don't produce any emissions and don't require any ongoing maintenance.
On the other hand, generators can be quite noisy and disruptive when they're in use. They also emit exhaust or fumes, depending on which type of fuel they use to run -- which may irritate you or your neighbors.
As far as how long they can keep your home powered, standby generators easily outperform battery backups. As long as you have enough fuel, generators can run continuously for up to three weeks at a time (if necessary).
That's simply not the case with battery backups. Let's use the Tesla Powerwall as an example. It has 13.5 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity, which can provide power for a few hours on its own. You can get extra power out of them if they're part of a solar panel system or if you use multiple batteries in a single system.
In most cases, battery backups come with longer warranties than standby generators. These warranties are measured in different ways.
Over time, battery backup systems lose the ability to hold a charge, much like phones and laptops. For that reason, battery backups include an end-of-warranty capacity rating, which measures how effectively a battery will hold a charge by the end of its warranty period. In Tesla's case, the company guarantees that the Powerwall battery should retain 70% of its capacity by the end of its 10-year warranty.
Some backup battery manufacturers also offer a "throughput" warranty. This is the number of cycles, hours or energy output (known as "throughput") that a company guarantees on its battery.
With standby generators, it's easier to estimate lifespan. Good-quality generators can run for 3,000 hours, as long as they're well maintained. Therefore, if you run your generator for 150 hours per year, it should last about 20 years.
Across most categories, battery backup systems come out on top. In short, they're better for the environment, easier to install and cheaper to run long-term. Plus, they have longer warranties than standby generators.
Portable generators can be a good option in some cases. Unlike battery backups, you only need a single generator to restore power in an outage, which brings down the initial costs. Plus, standby generators can last longer than battery backup systems in a single session. As a result, they'll be a safer bet if the power is out for days at a time.
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