ENERGY MANAGEMENT
CHANGING THE WAY WE MANAGE ENERGY
Louis McGarry, Sales & Marketing Director at Centiel, explains how the role of the uninterruptible power systems (UPS) in facilities is changing as energy needs have grown.
The global increase in energy demand has brought the challenge of managing power consumption effectively in to sharp focus. The introduction of power-hungry AI with its massive computational demands being used within day-to-day operations of many facilities now, has only added to the problem. As a result, there is a growing demand not only for more power and faster processing capabilities but also for scalable and highly efficient power systems capable of supporting this evolving digital landscape.
So how do uninterruptible power systems (UPS), fit in? Well, as energy needs have grown the role of the UPS within facilities is also changing.
Firstly, UPS manufacturers have needed to design UPS to maximise energy efficiency. For example, our true modular UPS StratusPower™ has a true on-line efficiency rating of 97.6%. This outstanding performance not only reduces energy consumption but also minimises operating costs, making it the ideal choice for facilities looking to optimise their power management while reducing their environmental impact at the same time.
Its reliability and effectiveness in energy efficiency has been recognised with multiple awards.
But this is only one part of the energy management puzzle.
UPS are now available to help facilities manage their energy usage caused by load changes, dynamically. This is achieved by seamlessly adding or removing UPS modules to the system or employing specific energy management modes to maintain the sweet spot of efficiency. Right sizing is important because oversized UPS are inefficient. A facility will never outgrow a well specified StratusPowerTM modular UPS System, and it can be constantly rightsized
34 | TOMORROW’S FM
to ensure it always operates at the optimal point in its efficiency curve.
The nature of modular UPS also means that they are infinitely scalable – just like adding Lego blocks. Therefore, we can support even the biggest facility to help them reduce energy use through a highly efficient system reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) at the same time.
Active energy management UPS also offer an opportunity for facilities to raise their game. In the future, it is likely that UPS will become way more than simply power protection. UPS are transitioning to become an active energy management tool. Facilities managers will need to select the right product to store, use and harvest energy. This also relates to the type of battery and application the UPS is used for.
We are already implementing peak shaving projects to enable facilities to use their own energy storage during peak times of demand on the national grid. Peak Shaving can help customers avoid paying higher electricity prices or fees that are applied when going above their maximum peak load.
Peak shaving can be achieved by either reducing usage levels by switching off nonessential equipment or by utilising other energy sources such as battery storage or UPS Systems, this reduces energy taken from the grid while batteries simultaneously discharge during high rate demand.
With energy demand continuing to rise, grid operators are keen on finding ways to achieve a 'shared curve'; and so, end users will usually be granted a rebate on their energy bills if they implement a peak shaving program.
Variable load management Similarly, variable load management is becoming commonplace. Here, in a situation where the load can vary, UPS modules can be put into a 'sleep mode'. While not converting power, their monitoring circuitry is fully operational, so they are instantaneously ready to support load if needed. Because it is the conversion of power within a UPS system that causes the greatest energy losses, system efficiency can be significantly increased resulting in a reduction in both energy waste and running costs.
Renewable energy But what happens if we can bring renewable energy into the mix? We actually live in a world with limitless renewable energy. One where there is enough solar, wind or wave energy to power everything we need, clean and unlimited. We just need to be able to harness and store it.
We are already working to help facilities harness and store energy better now, so UPS of the future will need to accept alternative renewable energy sources. Configured
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
