FEATURE ENERGY MANAGEMENT


STEAM POWER REVISITED H


Often seen as a technology consigned to the Victorian era, steam still has huge potential and enormous benefits to offer modern industry, writes Chris Armitage of Heliex Power


eliex Power has launched three products to help a variety of


industries maximise their energy efficiency by building on its steam technology. Working with City, University of London, the company discovered a way of harnessing ‘wet’ steam: a ubiquitous yet frequently untapped energy source. Together they created the steam expander, Heliex’s core technology which harnesses the energy from standard industrial steam to generate mechanical power. Heliex’s first use of the expander was in the Heliex GenSet launched in 2013 where it is drives a standard industrial generator, allowing businesses to produce electricity from the wet steam created in many of their processes. The company has now extended the use of the expander to drive a range of rotating equipment such as pumps and blowers with its Heliex SteamDrive. The expander is said to be able to drive machinery more efficiently and cost effectively than an electrical motor. The Heliex AirComp uses a Heliex steam expander system to drive high-efficiency compressors, providing air. This is up to 18% more efficient than using an electrical motor, delivering savings in excess of £80,000 per year for a standard 100kW machine. Compressed air is employed in a variety of industrial applications such as the running of control systems, cooling equipment and drive components. Heliex SteamComp uses the original steam expander system in reverse. It


complement our existing technology which remains a proposition for businesses looking to generate electricity from their wet steam. They will open up new opportunities for us: compressed air, for example, is even more plentiful on industrial sites than steam, making the potential market very large for that system alone.”


allows plant operators to re-energise steam which has already been through a process instead of having to condense and evaporate it again: an energy-intensive process. Already used by a packaging manufacturer on its production lines, the technology has potential applications in industries including pulp and paper, tyres, food processing and chemicals.


HUGE POTENTIAL OF STEAM “The launch of these products demonstrates the level of commitment we have to innovation and R&D as well as developing Heliex as a company,” says chief executive Chris Armitage. “Steam is often seen as a technology consigned to the Victorian era but it still has huge potential and enormous benefits to offer modern industry and society. “AirComp, SteamDrive and SteamComp


Heliex discovered a way of harnessing ‘wet’ steam: a frequently untapped energy source


STANDARD TECHNOLOGY Heliex first began selling its GenSet systems in 2014. With more than 100,000 operating hours, the technology has become standard in several industries across the UK and Europe, spanning sectors as diverse as agriculture, distilling, steel manufacturing, glass production and waste incineration. High demand for its new technologies will help Heliex move to the next phase in its evolution. “The benefits offered by all of our technologies speak for themselves: cost savings, reduced energy consumption and enhanced sustainability,” concludes Armitage. “We expect to see strong appetite from the industrial sector, both in the UK and further afield and a wide variety of potential applications. The months ahead will be an exciting period for Heliex as we explore opportunities in new territories and industries with huge potential across the globe.”


Heliex Power T: 01355 233127 www.heliexpower.com


ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A FLEXIBLE ENERGY PURCHASING CONTRACT?


Utility management specialist Orchard Energy has called on businesses in the manufacturing industry to check their eligibility for a flexible energy purchasing contract that could save them thousands on their energy bills. A flexible energy contract allows a business to spread energy purchasing


decisions “throughout the life of a contract” and take advantage of market conditions to maximise the potential for savings to be made. Flexible energy contracts often have a ‘no take or pay’ clause which


means energy consumption can be reforecast and businesses can avoid purchasing a higher volume than is necessarily required. “Flexible offers always have an element of risk although low and


medium risk offers often have a fixed element to help provide some budget certainty,” explains managing director Amar Hussain. “Multiple purchases that are made as the market changes can provide a business with greater opportunities to achieve individual savings and spread the risk of a volatile market. If you’re unsure it’s worth seeking advice from an energy specialist that can consult on the best contract for your business.” Fully flexible offers are ‘high risk’ as the energy commodity cost is subject to market movement and being able to track the perfect time to purchase and secure prices. Third party charges (TPCs) are passed through


12 AUTUMN 2017 | IRISH MANUFACTURING


at the prevailing rate at the time of billing. These can fluctuate in price but usually increase over time and can be reviewed as often as every six months. Part Fixed & Part Flexible allow a customer to fix some or all TPCs which reduces the risk of costs increasing. Only the commodity costs are dependent on tracking market prices. To assist businesses Orchard Energy has agreed bespoke basket deals


with Engie and Gazprom Energy which enable smaller businesses to gain more purchasing power by aggregating consumption. Monthly spend is calculated for each month of the framework contract based on the cost of energy and TPCs if required. Orchard Energy offers flexible pricing from a variety of suppliers that operate in the UK and bespoke products to its customers. They can develop purchasing strategies to suit customers’ needs and provide market updates accordingly. Customers get access to independent and varied market intelligence,


updates on market news, prices and movements, invoice validation and educated advice from a range of sources.


Orchard Energy T: 0844 581 0844 www.orchardenergy.co.uk


/ IRISHMANUFACTURING


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