Press

SiteGrid - Hybrid power system

posted on: Oct 02 2017 in Off grid, Industrial

Helping Businesses in Construction Meet Emission Reduction Deadlines

Energy and fuel used on construction sites accounts for approximately 33% of total emissions from England’s construction industry. (Strategic Forum for Construction 2010 Carbon Assessment Report)

 

The construction industry in the UK is under pressure to meet new emission reduction targets and deadlines across London and the UK. London has announced that both road and non-road machinery will need to meet new standards by 2020 and European regulation is bringing in Stage 5 requirements for engines of all sizes by 2019/2020. The main focus is on the reduction of small particulate matter and NOx emissions - estimates in 2013 on non-road moving machinery (NRMM) used on construction sites suggested it was responsible for 7% of NOx emissions, 14% for PM2.5 and 8% of PM10 emissions in Greater London*.

What are the options for firms needing to meet these targets? Construction firms will need to utilise the new Stage 5 generators for their sites to meet the legislative requirements, however due to the inclusion of additional exhaust elements to reduce NOx and particulates these units have a bigger footprint than their predecessors for the same power capacity, in addition they will need to run at 30 -40% load consistently to avoid damaging the filters. As construction sites often have varying demands for power during the day and night the average is generally closer to 10% load over a 24 hour period which is not ideal.  So how do you address this issue and meet the new legislative demands?  

SiteGrid now provides the solution to these problems – it can be connected with a smaller capacity Stage 5 generator allowing the same loads to be met more efficiently, with lower fuel costs and lower emissions. The generator will run when demand is high but when demand is low the genset will switch off automatically and the SiteGrid will run those loads directly (things like site cabins over night or security lighting). During the day when loads pick up again the generator will start automatically and if the loads increase further both the generator and SiteGrid can work simultaneously for a period to power the demand.

This ensures that generator is correctly loaded when running reducing filter problems which can damage the machine and reduce up time.

 

SiteGrid Overview

 

The SiteGrid will directly supply power to loads up to 30kVA from it’s internal battery bank, this can be charged either by renewables or by a generator. Power will be stored in the battery bank until needed and the connected generator will only need to start when loads are sufficiently high or the batteries are discharged. By only running when needed the generator will be more efficient, generating less soot and noise. 

SiteGrid also features a unique Energy Management Unit (EMU) to bring more sophisticated control for sites with a variety of power requirements. The EMU allows 6 separate loads to be fed from the unit and programmed with their own unique schedules. For example – one feed could be for security lighting that is triggered by the in-built light sensor, another could be for the drying cabin that does not need to be heated during Saturday and Sunday.

 

The Energy Management Unit Front Screen

 

The units are being launched in October with demo units available for one week’s free trial to clients interested in trying out SiteGrid on their own site. Mark Penny, Head of Sales at Energy Solutions explains the purpose of the demonstration units, “We know for construction companies the requirement to meet these new emission reduction deadlines is an additional cost in the short term, but long term the SiteGrid unit will not only help them meet the deadline but also reduce their costs. A trial of the unit will allow them to see the full potential of that saving”.

If you are interested in the trial program please contact Mark Penny at sales@energy-solutions.co.uk

 

*NRMM Website 2017 http://nrmm.london/content/cleaner-construction-machinery-london

 

 

Note to Editors

Further information, images and interviews can be requested from Melanie Lay

melanie.lay@energy-solutions.co.uk

07802 874451

01634 290772


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SITEGRID IMAGES

 

VariPower Launched Today

posted on: Jun 07 2016 in Off grid, Industrial

VariPower TM Launched Today

The Variable Speed Hybrid Generator Power Solution 

Energy Solutions launched their latest innovation – VariPower - a unique variable speed generator power system today at their Head Office in Rochester. With many people attending the event they saw the first demonstration of the unit which offers flexible, efficient power for temporary and off grid power environments.

During the demonstrations customers and business colleagues were shown how the generator will seamlessly increase its rpms to deliver the capacity needed, and reduce again as required. Using a mock up of typical day and night loads the VariPower demonstrated how for periods of very low load, i.e. during the night; when only a few loads need to run, the system will simply use the power stored in the batteries. This gives silent power when most needed and reduces fuel costs dramatically. When the loads increased, the VariPower automatically started the generator and adjusted the level to suit demand.

Designed and built by Energy Solutions’ in-house Engineering team VariPower is the result of 14 months of development to address the increasing market demands for quiet power with economical generator use. The units offer true variable power from the built in generator – it can run at any level between 900 and 2000 rpm. Delivering two important advantages to customers;  firstly, economy -  if the power demand is only low the unit can run at just 900 rpm, fewer revolutions mean the generator is using less fuel and creates less noise. Secondly, longevity - the unit is not going to be worked so hard,  it will only be powering at the level required, therefore increasing the interval between generator services and renewals.   

There are two variations of the unit – the VariPower 10 is designed for the off grid power market as an all in one, static source of affordable, quiet power.  VariPower 20 whas been built to be a deployable, transportable power system for applications where instant, temporary power solutions are needed.

Managing Director Paul Holland (pictured above) was delighted with the day: “The launch has been a great success, we knew from discussions with customers that there is demand in the market for this type of  hybrid generator system. The VariPower was developed to be the ultimate variable speed solution, keeping fuel costs and carbon emissions at a minimum whenever possible, and extending the life span of the generator. I am confident that this will meet the requirements of many of the people who attended and we anticipate sending the first units out to customers at the end of this month.”

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EasyGrid – Leading Off Grid Power System Now with Victron Colour Control

posted on: Feb 04 2016 in Off grid

Energy Solutions’ EasyGrid range launched in 2015 - the result of 18 months of development and research to manufacture a set of units that would bring off grid power solutions to homes and businesses without a mains grid connection, at a reasonable cost. The units include a number of Victron Energy power products which offer customers reliability and compatibility.

Explains Energy Solutions MD Paul Holland:  “Rather than having to source separate components and have a bespoke system designed,  the EasyGrid series offers customers a pre-configured, self-contained unit; built from durable, high quality components; fully tested and ready to install. We knew from our on-going work with off grid customers that the market is moving towards a more plug and play approach. People want functionality and continuity but do not want to have to become experts in electrical power just to run their homes.”

Moving into 2016 the range has had a upgrade and now each unit will incorporate a Victron Colour Control as standard.

With the addition of this control the EasyGrid has made a significant step forward in functionality. The system now enables full online monitoring via the Victron VRM website (internet connection required). Owners can see all relevant parameter and historic data including battery capacity, power usage and solar input along with many other selectable options. The owner can also set alarms to ensure that the whole system operates at its optimum performance at all times.

 

With most off grid situations using a generator as well as solar, the benefit of the colour control is it’s new sophisticated generator control and monitoring, with owners able to see:

  • Generator state: Condition that is currently keeping the generator running.
  • Runtime: Generator runtime since last start.
  • Total run time: Accumulated running time since the first start.
  • Time to next test run: When the test run condition is enabled this item shows the time remaining to the next test run.
  • Daily runtime: Page with the running times of last 30 days.

The generator can also be set to run based on the conditions below to ensure that those living and working off grid are never without power.

  • Manual
  • State of charge (SOC) of batteries
  • AC load
  • Battery current
  • Battery voltage

For those living without a mains connection there are additional features the control system offers which can enhance their living conditions - quiet periods can be set which will reduce the chance of the generator starting - particularly at night.  Most importantly period test runs can be set which ensures that when you need the generator it will start!

The new upgraded units have already been pre-ordered by 6 customers in the UK, with the first one  due for delivery this week. Energy Solutions have supplied over 135 off grid power solutions in the UK and many more overseas and believe this upgraded version of EasyGrid will make power for those with no grid connection even more accessible, affordable and functional. Concludes MD Paul Holland “Customers have been happy to wait a little bit longer to get these units with the color control, we are delighted with the response so far and know that this will enhance their off grid power solutions.”

The colour control update is available on the entire EasyGrid range covering the 3000, 5000 and 10,000 units and is available to order from Energy Solutions 01634 290772, sales@energy-solutions.co.uk. 

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Note to Editors:

For further information, images and interviews please contact: Melanie Lay, melanie.lay@energy-solutions.co.uk 07802 874451