Energy Power alternatives


Wake Norris, of Emerson Network Power, shows how to maximize savings in running costs at radio sites through the deployment of hybrid energy solutions


W


ith telecommunications networks already responsible for more than 1 per cent of energy consump-


tion worldwide and demand for network access and mobile broadband consistently outpacing deployment, telecom providers across the globe are searching for ways to power and operate their networks more efficiently. In developed countries, traditional telecom


power solutions are typically deployed on to a stable, low-cost electric utility grid. However, the growing demand for expanded service is sending networks further away from the grid/mains. As the cost of energy continues to increase


and networks are established in more remote lo- cations, hybrid systems have had to evolve. Tey are moving beyond simply supplying energy to individual power parts to actively managing multiple energy sources. Tis evolution is not just a technological up-


date, from power parts to energy systems, but reflects changes in business objectives, such as managing total cost of ownership (TCO). Te hybrid market is evolving rapidly, and evolving differently in various parts of the world. Provid- ers are looking for different blends of capital and operating expenses and technological capabilities to suit specific markets. Te emerging generation of intelligent hybrid


technologies offers solutions for providers who value increased visibility and control across their networks and the TCO that comes with it, but there also are engineered best practices that can provide measurable benefits without significant capital investment. With that in mind, and the benefit of two


decades of global experience in engineering and managing hybrid energy solutions for custom- ers, Emerson Network Power offers the follow- ing key observations and recommendations for providers considering hybrid technologies or seeking to maximize an existing hybrid infra- structure.


Think energy, not power Given the availability, ease of access and cost of energy from the grid, consumers have simplified the management and definition of energy to


Wake Norris is director of product management, solutions, for Emerson Network Power’s energy systems business


26 Annual solar exposure: even at northerly latitudes, useful free energy can be obtained LAND mobile September 2012


power. Yet many of the new devices being de- ployed, such as solar panels or cyclic batteries, are parts of energy systems and need to be man- aged as energy devices rather than power parts. As such, one must think in terms of the energy available and the energy consumed.


Conserve energy Use energy audits to define and implement en- ergy saving devices and procedures. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and actively manage your energy demand. Drive efficiency of consumption, and then implement cost-effec- tive hybrid energy delivery solutions.


Activemanagement Hybrid deployments traditionally have been purchased as static hardware with a general maintenance or warranty contract only. How- ever, for operators focused on minimizing me- dium- to long-term operational and capital costs and maximizing ROI, smart hybrids with active management can aid with achieving additional savings. Advanced analytics and remote management


can deliver measurable load, environmental and performance improvements. Intelligent solu- tions can, for example, alert if a battery cell may be damaging an entire string or if a single dirty solar panel is reducing the output of an entire array, and subsequently plan for battery replace-


ment or maintenance. Tey can adjust cooling operation if load or temperatures vary, change maintenance dispatch schedules if a generator is operating less than usual, and notify if fuel qual- ity degrades. Te operational return from engaging active


management, especially from a supplier with expertise in designing and configuring these in- frastructure technologies, will more than pay for the incremental investment in most situations through lower fuel usage, fewer maintenance visits and an overall longer site equipment life.


AC line conditioning Some systems are in areas with unreliable or low- quality grid power. Ensuring that proper tech- nologies are used to protect the active devices on the site is imperative. While implementing insulation and voltage


regulation is effective and cost-efficient, more sophisticated techniques such as phase selec- tion, filtering, power source blending, and other methods leverage the inconsistent grid further. Smart hybrids with active energy management reduce generator run time and ensure best charge conditions for batteries to minimize operational costs and extend the life of the investment.


Generator Generators that are part of a dynamic hybrid en- ergy solution (and not merely standby devices)


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