[ Spotlight: Energy solutions ]
purpose-made buildings, will already have provision for emergency lighting and uninterruptible power supplies for computers, to enable a safe shutdown. However, even they may not have made sufficient provision for standby power for heating and lighting to enable the business to carry on uninterrupted. How long could they continue without standby power? Have they pinpointed critical areas that need supplies to keep the business operational? As an electrical contractor, you are in an excellent position to help identify critical circuits and their loads, and advise on alternative power supplies. During the recent power outages, many suppliers
Our increased reliance on ‘renewable’ sources has given us ‘greener’ non- polluting power, but we are at the mercy of the elements
rapidly sold out of generators – but how do you use them in homes? Essential supplies could be powered from extension leads put into the generator, but this could be a source of overload danger or carbon monoxide poisoning if the generator is kept indoors. If clients think in advance, it would pay to fit a changeover switch to enable a generator to be plugged into the house circuits safely and effectively. Should householders think about some form of emergency lighting to enable safe access to stairs and exits? As the time of potential power cuts approaches (remember, winter 2015 onwards) it would be a good selling point to install changeover and emergency systems within homes. Companies may decide to close after a certain time without power. They could now install a limited back-up supply, or a standby generator, or a connection point for an external generator in the event of a prolonged loss of power. Those who act now will be in a good position to ride out any future disruption to supplies. Take a lesson from hospitals, where critical circuits are identified at design stage and standby systems installed accordingly. Hospitals cannot stop if power fails.
Action This worst-case blackout scenario may not happen; we could have mild weather over the next few winters, plenty of wind and sunshine with no risk of power failure. But is that a chance we should be taking?
Sir John Armitt, the former Network Rail boss, who chaired the Olympic Delivery Authority, has said publicly that he thinks power cuts could jolt the government out of its complacency and get a construction programme moving. Those who take action in domestic and non-
domestic premises will be in a good position to sit through power outages with minimal disruption. Companies who can carry on regardless will find themselves with a big advantage over those who can’t. The ECA, in association with Building Services
Research and Information Association (BSRIA), is holding a joint conference with speakers from the National Grid, Ofgem and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to discuss this problem and identify solutions. Admission is free to all members of the ECA. It is being held on 27 March 2014 in Central Hall, Parliament Square, London. It will be of interest to all those who are involved in the safety and continuity of supplies to buildings. If you do wish to attend, email your details to
energysolutions@eca.co.uk as soon as possible to reserve your place. Places are limited so apply now.
About the author Bill Wright is head of Energy Solutions at the ECA.
March 2014 ECA Today 25
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