The state of the economy

For some people its the price of gold, for others its hemlines, but if you really want to know where the economy is headed then you should just look at what the nation is drinking in the morning. The latte index is born.

With economic pundits such as money saving expert – Martin Lewis, believing that the british public can save enough money for pensions, holidays and rainy days, just by ditching their morning caffine fix, the opposite seems to be happening.

Coffee sales have changed tack, with more sales of stronger blends and shots of americano, but overall sales have continued to rise, people continue to look for the small pleasures to keep their chin up in these difficult times.

By the 1700’s there were over 500 coffee shops in London, they reflected the wealth and global connections of the capital – could they now be creating the wealth of the Capital in 2010?

Lightning Protection – Out with the old, in with the new

The introduction of BS EN 62305: Protection Against Lightning on 1 September 2008 is already having a profound impact on the industry and its customers says Colin McElhone, managing director at Omega Red Group

Having spent the past two years preparing for the introduction of the new standard, it shouldn’t really be a surprise now it’s here.

But like many in the lightning protection industry I have spent my entire working life working under its predecessor and knew it inside out. Doubtless we had all become comfortable with the old standard.

Early indications are that the new standard is already transforming the activities that have governed lightning protection for decades in this country particularly on major developments where there is greater awareness amongst specifiers, architects and building contractors about the need to adhere to its provisions, not least for insurance purposes. Insurers will start to make either new build or renewals subject to the new standard. Failure to comply or at least to show evidence that due process has been followed may well transgress the terms and conditions of the insurance and invalidate it. If a lightning strike was to cause serious disruption to a building or to the IT systems that are so much a part of modern business life but the insurance was invalidated then it could turn out to be a very costly oversight.

Given that the new standard was running in parallel with the old standard for two years then ignorance is no excuse. Developers still drafting tenders to meet the provisions of the old standard will find their plans superseded before they have laid the first brick. If that means going through the whole process again then it could add significantly to overall costs. The new lightning protection standard specifies that Type1 equipotential bonding lightning current arrestor surge protection devices (SPDs) should be installed at the point where services enter the structure, as a minimum, in order to equipotentialise the live cores in the event of a strike. This requirement also applying to any exposed plant, lights, CCTV and sensors that may have cables entering a structure.

More important than the risk of systems failure, is the risk to life. Previously, it was often the case that the lightning protection system was treated as something of an afterthought. The new standard requires precise assessments, designs and costs which means that lightning protection experts now need to be consulted much earlier than was previously the case. An example being the use of reinforcing as a down conductor; if the construction starts with out the required welded or clamped connections at each lift in the columns then they may not be suitable for use in the system and the expense of surface conductors will need to be accepted.

The requirements of the new standard are much more comprehensive and progressive than before and a key requirement is that lightning protection is fully integrated at the design stage of a new development if full use of the savings in using any structural elements can be considered. That means a much greater degree of co-ordination with building services contractors on the project. By integrating the lightning protection at the design stage the developer both meets one of the requirements of the new standard and avoids the need for an expensive retrofit.

The new risk assessment is very technical and comprehensive, but with the right software it has been made easier to calculate the precise risk of a lightning strike to each individual building.  By following the new procedure our engineers have a solid guideline, which highlights the precise requirements for each job. The previous calculation failed technical to illustrate the exact need for lightning protection to the customer; this resulted in some buildings going without.

Depending on the requirements of a particular project there are four separate risks that should be addressed:
1. R1 – Risk of loss of human life
2. R2 – Risk of loss of service to the public
3. R3 – Risk of loss of cultural heritage
4. R4 – Risk of loss of economic value.
The scale of the task is illustrated by the fact that while R1 is addressed under the existing standard, R2 is only partially addressed and then only in an informative appendix. R3 and R4 are included for the first time within the new Standard – completely new requirements with which neither developers nor lightning protection companies have previously had to consider.

While the new standard has many merits, it is long and complex and requires a complete rethink by developers and lightning protection companies because of its effect at every stage – from the initial site survey/tender documentation through design to implementation and ongoing maintenance.

One example of the impact of the new risk assessments is illustrated by work that Omega has done over the years on the lightning protection system at St Paul’s Cathedral. The risk of loss of cultural heritage (R3) is entirely new and did not have to be considered within the old standard. In fact, Omega has always taken great care to ensure that no damage was caused to paintings, statues or any of the other artistic treasures in the Cathedral but that was part of Omega’s own customer care programme, not a formal requirement. Under the new standard there is an obligation to consider ‘cultural heritage’ just as we have always considered the risks to human life and to the structure of a building.

Many organisations are already struggling to cope, finding the new standard too complicated, too time consuming and, yes, too expensive in terms of retraining and reorganisation. Experience counts for a lot in lightning protection but this is a fundamental change that challenges everybody involved to raise their game.

There is, in addition, a legal obligation to test the system every year and the discovery of a necessary and expensive retrofit is unlikely to be welcomed. That is why clients need to be absolutely sure that they choose a specialist lightning protection contractor who can demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the new standard and one that has a proven track record.

At Omega Red we have put not only our existing engineers through a rigorous retraining programme regarding the new standard but our sales team and customer care department. That includes every single one of our apprentices at the CITB training centre at Bircham Newton, to which we routinely send more than half of the industry’s entire intake. It is very much in the interests of both the lightning protection industry and our colleagues in construction to get up to speed with the new standard as soon as possible if we are all to avoid costly mistakes.

Developers need to put out tenders that challenge a contractor to demonstrate a clear understanding, comprehensive methodology and a proven track record, but must also accept that they will need to have a lot more input in to the design of systems. They will find that the more progressive organisations have been using the 2-year crossover period to refine their understanding and test their processes. Those individuals or organisations that haven’t taken the time to open their textbooks, perhaps for the first time in years, will soon start to find themselves out in the cold as BS 6651 no longer exists.

Lightning protection – Ignorance is no defence!

Last August saw the long awaited arrival of the new British Standard for lightning protection, BS EN 62305, replacing the now obsolete BS 6651. It has changed, and will continue to change, the way lightning protection is understood, planned and implemented. Yet despite extensive publicity, widespread confusion across the industry remains, particularly among main contractors. As a result some Atlas members have lost out on contracts, even though their proposed solution was the only compliant option explains Fiona Lindsay at Atlas

The past year has been a huge learning curve for the entire industry. Literally thousands of operatives, apprentices and consultants now have to possess some, if not full, comprehension of this new standard. Its arrival has changed how the industry operates forever! For the past three years a dedicated Atlas team has worked tirelessly to disseminate and educate the industry about the fundamental changes, additions and implications of BS EN 62305. What has become apparent is Atlas members who undertook the special training workshops are a cut above the rest.

The complex risk assessments that are now compulsory under the new standard are extremely time consuming but intrinsic to the whole process. However, several members have reported many contractors still appear to be unaware that these risk assessments are a mandatory requirement and are therefore still accepting quotations from non Atlas members who are not working to the new standard. Colin Clinkard from Best said: “We are extremely happy our LC designers and estimators have passed the Atlas accreditation, however there still needs to be a huge push to ensure that main contractors understand the repercussions of not using a BS EN 62305 accredited lightning protection company.”

This point is further highlighted by another Atlas member, Edward Wilson & Co, who has found many contractors and architects are still requesting quotations from the company based on the old BS 6651. In the current economic climate, contractors are understandably looking for the best price. This, coupled with their lack of knowledge on the extreme differences between the old and new standards means that they are often commissioning unsuitable work that is not compliant. Atlas members are dedicating a lot of time in an attempt to educate the contractors they work with about the BS EN 62305, and it is beginning to have a positive effect. However, with approximately two thirds of contractors and architects clearly not understanding the new standard, it is very frustrating and inconvenient to have to teach them what BS EN 62305 is all about every time they tender for new business.

Although there are inevitably issues surrounding BS EN 62305, all Atlas members believe the new standard is a positive thing for the industry. Atlas member, John Ashmore from Protectis said: “The next step must be to set up training workshops for engineers and architects. It’s as simple as this; unless they understand how the new standard works and the huge benefits that it gives them, inadequate lightning protection will continue to be offered to clients who will then find that their buildings are non-compliant.”

Fellow member, Andy Richie agrees. His company, Lightning Protection Services has noticed a lot of large projects that were originally planned before the new standard’s implementation are still being built now with out-of-date protection. Jason Harfield of Orion has also observed the new standard is being ignored with specified separation distances not being adhered to. Orion has put all their employees through the Atlas design course for the BS EN 62305 and feel the whole industry must follow suit, if only to put an end to the ignorance.

Overall, everyone agrees more education on the new standard needs to be provided to the construction industry as a whole. Atlas is still the only organisation to offer comprehensive training. The National Construction College offers NVQ Level 2 for apprentices but this is only a basic introduction. Like it or loath it, the arrival of BS EN 62305 has split the industry. Lightning protection is now recognised as an extremely skilled profession. The new standard has clearly started to separate out the professionals from the cowboys!

Case study: Red turned green

Scout Moor Wind Farm, (the largest onshore wind farm in England), consists of 26 wind  turbines situated on the moors of North West England between Rawtenstall and Rochdale with the Rossendale Way running through the heart of the site. When running at full capacity, the farm generates 65MW of electricity, providing enough power to meet the average needs of 40,000 homes. To ensure continuous and reliable electricity generation in such an exposed location, the site required the installation of extensive earthing and lightning protection systems to protect it from the potentially devastating effects of a lightning strike. McNicholas awarded the contract to Omega Red Group – one of the UK market leaders in earthing and lightning protection.

In the early stages of the project, Omega personnel conducted soil resistivity surveys at each of the turbine locations, and at the substation situated approximately a mile away, to enable a detailed design to be undertaken. This would not only ensure the safety of the structures themselves, but would also safeguard the general public against the hazardous touch, step and transfer voltages that can occur when lightning strikes or when power system faults occur.

The remote location of the wind farm combined with unpredictable and often inclement weather conditions (including thick fog, snow, ice, torrential rain and gale force winds) provided additional challenges throughout the project. During the installation, a few potential issues were encountered in obtaining the requisite resistance values at some of the turbine locations, largely due to the ground conditions varying from marsh bogs to solid rock. However, the proactive approach and technical expertise of Omega’s onsite engineers and operatives soon ensured that these issues were resolved without compromising the construction programme.

At the end of the construction and installation phase, Omega was further tasked with carrying out the overall test of the earthing and lightning protection systems on both the substation and turbine sites to confirm their compliance with all statutory requirements. Due to the large footprint of the site, the test leads were required to be run out in excess of 2 kilometres – including across a waterfall – to obtain an accurate set of test results – just another small challenge for the Omega engineers to overcome!

Because climate change is now widely recognised as one of the most important global issues, and reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is a vital element in limiting the effects of climate change, Omega is committed to working within the renewable energy market, using its expertise, technical competence and extensive experience to overcome the very specific challenges this market presents.

“The sheer size of wind turbines along with the isolated locations upon which they are constructed renders them vulnerable to lightning strikes. Without adequate earthing and lightning protection systems they are more likely to suffer the detrimental effects of a lightning strike. We are extremely happy to be involved in the success of wind farms across the UK and to use our expertise in the support of this growing, environmentally- friendly industry”.

Colin McElhone, managing director, Omega Red Group

Case study: Straight sets

For almost 35 years R. C. Cutting & Co. has been involved with the All England Lawn Tennis  Club (AELTC) both in new installations and the ongoing maintenance surrounding their world famous Championship in June each year.

Most recently have been the challenging works to Centre Court, where a new retractable roof has been incorporated over a three year construction period. The continued use of the playing surface during the Championships was always a factor and the re-development works had to be scheduled around this.

Now complete, the roof can be closed and the temperature and humidity controlled dependant on the number of spectators, thus ensuring that play can continue whatever the weather.

For those that remember, the 1996 Championship was delayed hugely by bad weather and the crowds were frustrated by the conditions and delays. .

The lightning protection system, originally installed by Cuttings in 1992, has been enhanced and the steel supporting structure of the new retractable roof was incorporated giving particular regard to the many moving parts!

The closing roof was used during the 2009 Championship and allowed play to continue well into the evening, creating the latest finishing game in the history of the event.

Originally built in 1922, Centre Court held 13,810 spectators in 2008, increasing to 15,000 for the 2009 Championship by adding six rows of seats to the upper tier on the east, north and west sides.

An inscription above the entryway to Centre Court reads “If you can meet with triumph and disaster / And treat those two imposters just the same” – lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem If.

Power quality – Cracking the wind farm grid code

Over recent years there has been a continuous increase in installed wind power generation capacity throughout Europe. This has caused the transmission system operators (TSOs) to review their grid connection rules – otherwise known as grid codes – to limit the impact of wind farms on network power quality and stability. Peter Jones of ABB UK investigates

New rules demand power plants of any kind should support the electricity grid, not just in normal operation but also in case of voltage dips. Some of the key considerations are steady state and dynamic reactive power capability, continuously acting voltage control and fault ride-through behaviour.

The result of these new considerations is that some commonly used turbine designs may have limitations in meeting the grid code requirements of some countries, especially for steady state and dynamic reactive power. For wind farms where these types of turbine are installed the solution is to install appropriate “add-on” reactive power equipment to achieve the necessary grid code compliance for operation and power production.

Reactive power compensation
Reactive power control provided by generators or capacitor banks alone may be too slow for the sudden load changes found in wind farms. ABB offers two appropriate reactive power compensation solutions, the SVC (Static Var Compensator) and the Statcom (STATic COMpensator).

The first approach, the SVC, is based on conventional capacitor banks, together with parallel thyristor controlled inductive branches, which consume the excess of reactive power generated by the capacitor bank. This type of equipment can be directly connected to the intermediate voltage bus, which interconnects the wind farms (up to 69 kV). When needed, it is also possible to connect the SVC to the high-voltage network via a dedicated transformer.
The second, more advanced, approach to compensation for reactive power is the use of a Voltage Source Converter (VSC) incorporated as a variable source of reactive power. Compared to other solutions a voltage source converter is able to provide continuous control, very dynamic behavior due to fast response times and with single phase control also compensation of unbalanced loads. The ultimate aim is to stabilise the grid voltage and minimize any transient disturbances.

ABB’s Statcom converters are based on power converter System (PCS) platforms providing the following control features:
- Power factor correction (cos phi control)
- Voltage control
- Active harmonics cancellation
- Flicker mitigation
- Unsymmetrical load balancing
The Statcom features the same state-of-the-art power electronic voltage source converter (VSC) technology used in ABB’s PCS 6000 range of products, such as the ACS 6000 range of medium voltage drives. It is a purely static device, with no switched passive elements, that provides outstanding performance for both steady state and dynamic operation, with the added advantage of a small installation footprint.

ACS and PCS 6000 converter units are based on three-level IGCT (integrated gate commutated thyristor) phase modules. The IGCT is the state-of-the-art semiconductor element for this power range. Large numbers of these converter units have been sold worldwide and they have a proven track record of performance and reliability.
A particular advantage of the ABB Statcom in wind farm applications is its fast dynamic voltage control and its behaviour during both balanced and unbalanced grid faults (fault ride-through), which enable it to help meet stringent grid code requirements.

Reactive power requirements
An analysis of the requirements of the UK’s grid code suggests the required reactive power is approximately one third of a wind farm’s nominal active power. Typical wind farm nominal power ranges from 30 MW up to 100 MW for on-shore installations. Therefore, the required reactive power compensation is in the region of 10 MVar to 35 MVar. For large wind farms, typically several hundred MW, ABB recommends the more traditional SVC. While, as a rule of thumb, the Statcom is appropriate for small to medium sized wind farms.

Typically, the very compact Statcom power electronic modules are placed inside a cabinet. This also houses other equipment such as the DC link, cooling system and controls. Only a few additional external components are needed, such as the Statcom transformer, grid filter and heat exchanger.

STATCOM functionality
The STATCOM is equipped with a set of functions in order to help wind farms to fulfill the grid code requirements. These include:
- Steady state reactive power supply or absorption. This function can be fulfilled by following a reactive power set-point, a set-point for a power factor at the connection point of the wind farm or by operating according to a linear reactive power versus voltage characteristic (Q/U characteristic).
- The implementation of the latter case also fulfills the voltage control requirement generally called for in the grid codes. The grid companies often require a certain flexibility to change the basic behaviour of the voltage control scheme. A reduced set of changeable parameters has to be available, especially the target voltage and the slope of the linear characteristic.
- Smoothly follow a set-point ramp. This is stepless, in contrast to solutions based on switched passive component
- Meeting the dynamic requirements of the grid codes, e.g. a step in the set-point is followed within less than 1 second without notable overshoots or oscillations.
- During voltage dips (balanced or unbalanced), the Statcom injects reactive current in the order of value of the nominal Statcom current and therefore helps to support the grid voltage.

Typical application
A typical application of a Statcom is a wind farm in Scotland that has used it to overcome its initial difficulties in complying fully with the grid code requirements in terms of: steady state reactive power supply; voltage control and dynamic reactive power supply. In addition, it also has helped to meet harmonic requirements. Since the wind farm is connected via two 33kV cable connections to the nearest 132kV/33kV substation, it is split into two parts that can also be connected via a coupling switch. However, both wind farm strings are required to run autonomously. Therefore, two 12.5 Mvar units were required.

Both converter units were placed inside the wind farm substation building,  this allowed a cost efficient installation in a well protected environment. Both transformers were located outdoors next to the converter units. Although the output voltage waveform of the Statcom is close to sinusoidal, a small harmonic filter was still needed to maintain harmonic distortion within acceptable limits. The filter is located on a steel structure close to the transformer. The heat exchangers for the converter closed loop water cooling system are also located outdoors.

Tests carried out with the units in continuous operation at nominal power have shown that they now enable the wind farm to comply with all the grid code requirements for steady and dynamic reactive power capability and voltage control. The behaviour of the wind farm during grid faults has also been modelled, and the results show that the units can be expected to support the wind farm during balanced faults – they inject reactive current in such a way that they help to maintain the voltage. And even during heavy unbalanced faults the Statcoms support the voltage.

ABB’s latest development to help UK wind farm operators achieve grid code compliance is a containerized Statcom that provides a mobile, easily transportable, source of reactive power. It is designed primarily to act as a temporary solution while the need for a long term, permanent reactive power installation is assessed. The mobile unit is housed in a standard shipping container that incorporates the VSC, multi-voltage step-up transformer (to provide flexibility of use between the UK and Ireland) and associated control equipment. All the equipment is factory built and commissioned to provide the fastest possible deployment when it is delivered to site, and only basic foundation work with a small plinth is required.

A single modular unit can provide up to 10 MVar of reactive power, making it ideal for use with wind farms up to around 30 MW. However, the modular approach enables a number of units to be piggy-backed together to create larger solutions.

Cracking the grid code requirements present a definite challenge for wind farm developers in certain countries. Mainly because the steady state and dynamic reactive power injection/absorption requirements are difficult to fulfill with some wind farm designs. Therefore “add-on” equipment is often needed to comply with the grid codes. Statcoms present a cost-effective and efficient method of providing reactive power compensation for small to medium sized wind farms.

Power quality – Six steps to resolving power quality problems

Poor power quality is responsible for many different electrical problems. In addition to the obvious accidental causes like power cables being damaged by digging work, or bird strikes on overhead lines, every load on the electrical grid will have some impact on the power that is delivered. Some power quality problems are very complex, but there are also many common causes says John Outram, managing director of Outram Research

A purely resistive load, for example an oven, will tend to pull down the local voltage due to the current flowing in the power lines that have a finite impedance; capacitive and inductive loads can cause the current to lead or lag the voltage, degrading the power factor; motors and pumps have large inrush currents, potentially superimposing transients onto the voltage; and modern compact fluorescent lighting may only draw current at the peak of the voltage waveform, causing harmonic distortion of the supply voltage.

In most cases the impact of loads on the power supply is not problematic, but in extreme cases the effect on other devices on the grid may be serious. The mechanisms by which the utility companies try to accommodate all of these influences may themselves add transients and momentary variations, further complicating the situation. The effect of poor power quality can range from unnecessarily lost power in transmission lines caused by low power factor (out-of-phase current and voltage), to flickering lights, and power wasted in motors and transformers due to the presence of harmonics.

Taking motors as an example, when power is wasted it will generally be dissipated as heat, increasing wear and shortening life. Harmonics may also cause vibrations in motors which can increase noise as well as be a potential source of mechanical failure.

Some causes of power quality problems are almost impossible to control; vulnerability to accidental causes such as those mentioned above is a function of our infrastructure and they should be expected occasionally. However, with the right equipment and approach, power quality issues can be identified and resolved, and although complex situations may require experienced power quality professionals, engineers can identify straightforward issues by following six simple steps.

Step 1 – Gather Information
If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it! However, before any measurement survey is made, think about the best approach. How is the problem presenting itself? Are complaints widespread? Are there any common threads? What about the infrastructure or the installation itself? Is it old; is there any corrosion, leaking oil? If so, could the distribution impedance have been compromised?

Most problems are local or self-inflicted. One of the best sources of information is the operator of equipment affected. Asking the operator when the problem happens, whether other things go on at that time and what he/she thinks is causing it, can provide excellent clues to the cause of the problem.

This stage should also be used to prepare for the survey. What are the local loads? How many points need to be monitored? The more information available, the better the monitoring can be targeted.

Step 2 – Produce a Harmonic Profile
Harmonics on the line tend to lead to long-term problems – motors and transformers overheating or other failures that do not happen instantaneously, although they can also cause rapid equipment failure. Typically these measurements would be taken over a period of at least a week, as most power quality issues have either daily or weekly periodicity (for example, happening the same time every day, or happening during the week but not at weekends). Understanding the periodicity can give important clues as to the cause of the problem; for example a car breaker’s yard is unlikely to be causing problems that happen during the night!

Harmonics are evaluated continuously and averaged over a period of time. Measuring the harmonics does not require as high a sample rate as transients because the lower harmonics will tend to contain the most energy. Of particular interest in 3 phase systems are the 3rd, 6th and 9th harmonics, as these will not generate balanced current flow but reinforce each other, and therefore can cause high currents to flow in the neutral.
The harmonic direction – the phase angle of the current with respect to the voltage waveform of the harmonics, can also be a helpful clue to the cause of the problem. In this case however, it is important to make sure the analyser records harmonic direction correctly from typical data, rather than inferring it from a non-typical waveform capture, which may only be captured due to a momentary transient, notch, or ring.

Step 3 – Look for transients
Short-term transients such as spikes, dips and sags can cause immediate failures – for example blown light bulbs, PLCs resetting or computers dropping internet connections and worse, when they lead to partial process failures, where part of a production line is affected causing back-up, overflow, perhaps spillage and general loss of control. They can also be responsible for less catastrophic though highly irritating problems such as flickering of light bulbs.

Although some transients can be slow, others can be very fast. Monitoring such sub-cycle transients requires high-speed waveform capture, and power quality analysers such as the Outram Research PM7000, offer sampling speeds in excess of 1MSPS.

However, with high sampling rates it is not possible to record all the data, and so some way needs to be found of identifying the waveforms to be retained. Most power quality meters offer a threshold approach, which may mean an iterative process of setting different thresholds until the right amount of data is captured. The best systems offer a data management technology, which retains the ‘worst’ waveforms over whatever is the monitoring period chosen. This avoids the need to set thresholds, simplifies setup, and significantly improves the likelihood of capturing useful data first time.

Step 4 – Compare the current and the voltage
Having monitored transients and harmonics, the engineer will have a good idea of what the problem is electrically, but may still have no idea of the cause. By monitoring the current and voltage together with good time resolution the cause of the problem can often be identified quickly. If the current and voltage rise or fall together, the problem is likely to be outside of the system being monitored, whereas if they move in opposite directions, the problem is likely to be inside.

Consider monitoring the supply at the point of entering a building – if the current spikes up and the voltage spikes downward at the same time, it will probably be because a load within the building has drawn more current, pulling down the voltage due to impedance in the transmission lines, whereas if they both move together, the fall in voltage is likely to be caused by an external load, and the local current falls in sympathy. The situation is not always simple because some modern electronic equipment, particularly those using switch-mode power supplies, can display negative resistance. Investigating the cause of a positive or negative link between current or voltage movement should add to the understanding.
Many power quality analysers offer a fixed interval for current and voltage measurements, an approach that might cause critical information to be lost. Figure 1 shows how variable sampling intervals – in this case Outram’s adaptive store technology – can identify rapid changes whilst still making effective use of the analyser’s memory.

Step 5 – Undertake some detective work
At this stage we should know whether the problem is within our building or not. If we are causing the problem, then all that is required is a step by step approach to identify the culprit. This can be done by moving the power quality analyser on to monitor different loads within the building or simply by turning things off while monitoring until the cause is identified.  Sometimes problems can be revealed by their physical effects; hot spots on connections or excessive humming of transformers are typical examples.

If the problem is external, a little more detective work is required and you may need to involve the Utility Company. Some frequent causes include pumping stations, compressors, car breakers yards and welding shops, although causes can range from fixed installations or steelworks and other heavy industry to mobile equipment such as cranes.

If the source of the problem is still not obvious, then it is useful to measure the power quality at the substation to isolate the cause. Sometimes the premises next door to the cause may suffer serious power quality issues, but the impedance in the line will mean that nothing is visible at the substation.

Most power quality issues will require the engineer to repeat these steps in an iterative process – for example repeating the steps at different points in the electrical supply network to try to identify the cause geographically.

Step 6 – Confirm the diagnosis
Once the engineer has identified what he/she thinks is the cause of the problem, it is useful to see if there is any other corroborating evidence or even any contra-indications – particularly if the remedial action is likely to be expensive or unpopular!
Usually measurements will also be taken after the problem has been resolved to ensure that no lingering effects exist.

Quality of power is becoming an increasingly important issue. Utilities are penalising companies for poor power factor as the power wasted can be considerable and costly to the Power Company. Modern loads, such as electronic power supplies and compact fluorescent lights, are more and more introducing significant harmonic distortion that not only causes power to be wasted, but can ultimately shorten the life of motors, transformers and other valuable equipment.

By following a systematic step-by-step process and using the right equipment, an engineer can troubleshoot his plant for simple power quality problems. Complex issues may require more specialised expertise using instruments capable of distinguishing and recording unpredictable events, enabling unexpected or previously unencountered power quality issues to be identified.

The consequences of poor power quality include increased electricity consumption and equipment and process failure. With the ever-increasing focus on efficient operations, reducing energy costs and cutting carbon dioxide emissions, power quality issues must not be ignored.

MK Electric adds simplicity to sensor range

MK Electric, the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices and accessories, is set to make energy saving even easier to achieve with the launch of a range of simple to fit sensors. The no-hassle sensors promise fast installation and even faster payback.

The new range features two models – a flush mounting version and a surface mounting option. Both have external programming dials to allow quick and easy adjustment of time delay and lux levels and incorporate a PIR with 360o  detection and a six metre range.

By adjusting the lux level, the passive photocell can determine whether to turn lights on or off depending on ambient light conditions and room occupancy. The variable time delay feature means lights can be turned off within five seconds of the last observed movement or left on for up to 40 minutes.

Installation could not be simpler. The flush mounting sensor has spring clips that allow the device to be inserted directly into the ceiling, while the surface mount model can be easily mounted onto a back box. No additional fixing tools or parts are required.

The new sensors can accept loads of up to 6A (1500w) of any type including CFLs making them suitable for all lighting applications.

Lighting represents, on average, up to 40% of a building’s total energy consumption; and offers the largest opportunity for energy savings. MK’s new simple to fit sensors can not only help realise the highest potential savings in energy consumption but also offer the shortest payback periods.

The launch broadens the range of MK’s sensors portfolio further, offering solutions for compliance to Part L of the Building Regulations, as well as being complementary products to the existing market leading portfolio of wiring devices, cable management and circuit protection.

Lamp first fully-fledged LED substitute for a 40W incandescent lamp

Osram’s Parathom Classic is said to be the world’s first LED lamp with a screw base that can be used as a direct replacement for a 40W GLS lamp. However, the Parathom Classic requires just 8W to achieve the same light yield, i.e. 80% less energy and over its lifetime it will save 400 kg of CO2. With an average service life of 25,000 hours, it lasts 25 times longer than a traditional incandescent lamp. This new lamp is at the forefront of the LED revolution.
“The Osram Parathom Classic is the ultimate cutting-edge product for end users who wish to be ahead of the pack when it comes to lighting technology, providing them with the most innovative and energy-efficient lighting technology the world has ever seen. We are proud to launch the very first bulb shaped LED lamp which constitutes a true substitute for a 40W incandescent lamp. This move will speed the advance of LED technology as a genuine alternative for general lighting applications,” says Christian Schraft, Head of Consumer Lighting at Osram.

Mercury-free and free from UV and infrared radiation
The Parathom Classic is extremely compact, shatter-proof and resistant to vibrations, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The lamp is also completely free from mercury and the light it produces contains no UV or infrared radiation.

The Parathom range offers lighting effects and accent lighting options
The Parathom Classic A 40 is part of a ever-growing range of LED lamps from Osram with features lamps ideal for accent lighting. The LED retrofit product range also includes the Parathom Classic B 25 and a host of additional products. The Parathom reflector series is ideal for accentuating special features such as pictures, objects or plants, while the lamps in the Parathom Deco series add a blaze of colour. Available in blue, green, red, yellow or alternating colours, this vibrant range of LED lamps provides the right light for any environment.

VPhase achieves CE Mark for smart voltage management device

Leading developer of energy saving products, VPhase, has achieved CE Certification for its  new VX1 smart voltage management device, which is set to enhance energy efficiency in homes and SMEs as well as cut electricity bills, typically by 10% or more.

The CE Certification indicates that the VX1 product can now be legally placed on the market in the EU and that it complies with the relevant requirements of the European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.

VPhase CEO, Dr Lee Juby comments: “This is a major milestone for us at VPhase and we’re extremely excited to have the green light to sell the VX1 to consumers. Although this technology has been established amongst large commercial energy users for some time, it has never been viable in domestic or small commercial premises until now. The VX1 allows smart voltage management to be cost effectively introduced into the home and we expect it will play a key role for all homes in the future, delivering significant reductions to electricity costs, energy wasting and carbon emissions.”

VPhase is already working with two major UK utilities, Scottish & Southern Energy and British Gas, in preparation for what it anticipates will be a high demand from UK customers for the smart voltage management technology.

Tests have shown that the VX1 reduces the energy consumption of many household appliances by anything up to 20 per cent, which directly translates into an electricity cost saving as well as a reduction in carbon emissions. A typical house with gas heating could reduce the electricity consumption of the whole house by 10 per cent using the VX1.

The VX1 is expected to retail between £200 and £250.  The costs of installation and the typical payback periods of between 3 and 5 years are similar to the upgrading of roof insulation from 50mm to 270mm.

New ‘green loans’ available from September

T

he Carbon Trust this month expects to launch The Big Business Refit, which will offer SMEs expert advice and financial support to slash energy costs by scrapping old inefficient equipment and replacing it with new energy-efficient models. ECA is encouraging its members to explore this new programme, and encourage their clients to do so as well.

The scheme follows a recession-driven surge in demand for the Carbon Trust’s interest-free business loans. In the first six months of 2009, hundreds of SMEs from bakeries to plastics factories have been given loans at zero-interest to equip their businesses with the latest energy-saving technology. As a result, they are said to be saving an average of £14,000 each on their annual energy bills – a collective total of almost £6m a year.

Tom Delay, chief executive, the Carbon Trust, said: “Business owners are realising that for every month they ‘make do and mend’ with old inefficient equipment, they are wasting more cash on unnecessarily high energy bills.”

The Carbon Trust’s unsecured, interest-free loans can be used for equipment replacements costing between £3,000 and £400,000. The loans are designed to pay for themselves through direct energy savings, so that once the loan is repaid, savings go straight to bottom line. With a total of £100m in loans available, the Big Business Refit is expected to help up to 3,000 UK SMEs save a total of £40m off their annual energy costs.

For more information visit the www.carbontrust.co.uk or call 01865 885879.

This is still available people! Take it up! Have a look – we can provide impartial advice on ways to save electricity in your business.

Voltage optimisation now available to homeowners

For the first time ever, homeowners can now reap the benefits of voltage optimisation, which delivers immediate and significant money and energy savings across the whole home, without compromising their quality of living.

The low-cost VPhase unit, which has been developed by VPhase plc, part of Energetix Group, in conjunction with Liverpool University, is now in mass production for homeowners and SMEs and is being supported by a nationwide consumer awareness campaign.

VPhase has an agreement with Scottish & Southern Energy and Ofgem for a Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) Demonstration Action that will determine the lifetime carbon dioxide savings of VPhase. VPhase is also working with British Gas on routes to market the product through British Gas’s existing supply channels.

The new smart technology uses voltage optimisation technology to reduce the incoming voltage and manage it to a stable level, normally 220V in the UK. The result is considerable reductions to electricity costs, energy wasting and carbon emissions from generation sources. It can be easily fitted by a qualified electrician and will save energy across a wide range of appliances throughout the home.

The principle of reducing voltage to save energy is not a new one. The commercial industry has been using voltage optimisation to reduce electricity costs for years. The problem is it has not been cost effective on a domestic scale, until now.

VPhase CEO Dr. Lee Juby comments: “Many electrical appliances will work more efficiently and use less electricity at a much lower voltage. If every household in the UK used voltage optimisation, a typical home could save carbon emissions of 270kg every year – the equivalent of taking 2.3 million cars off the road.

“Based on our back to back tests, on appliances such as fridges and freezers a VPhase unit can deliver a massive saving of 17%, incandescent light bulbs can show savings of 15%, and even energy saving light bulbs can save 10% with VPhase. Once installed it requires no maintenance. It’s simply a matter of fit, forget and save money instantly.”

The VPhase unit is fitted next to a fuse box and operates on socket outlets and lighting circuits.  The amount of energy saved will vary depending on the incoming voltage and type of appliances in the house.

The VPhase unit costs £250 + VAT (RRP).