How to identify these four parameters and lower facility’s electricity bill

Electricity bill and energy losses

The world is more energy conscious these days. But unlike you, most of the world doesn’t pay electricity bill that rivals the cost of a four bedroom home. You understand the need to know where energy is being expended in your facility and how you can make it more of an asset and less of a chronic liability.

It starts with the right electrical equipment in the right places. In the following paragraphs, you will see various substation and fascility electrical equipment that can be analysed in order to help identify energy losses.

Generally each equipment should be rated on how much it enhances efficiency and saves in time of use, energy demand, penalties and validation processes.

4 important parameters to identify

What to do to identify losses?

Well, in order to do something about your electricity bill, first you should inspect your facility’s electrical equipment and try to check the savings you can achieve regarding above described parameters. Some of the main electrical equipment in facility is described below.

Transformers

By placing the transformer closer to the load, you get better economy and better power distribution. Both of these transformer solutions can increase efficiency and reduce usage penalties.

= Moderate Efficiency Savings
= Moderate Penalty Savings

Energy EfficientTransformers

Low temperature-rise energy efficient transformers generally offer greatly improved life expectancies and substantial increases in overload capabilities. These transformers can help cut operating expenses for systems requiring unit loading at 80 to 100% of the nameplate rating, 24 hours a day, or where load growth is expected.

These are specifically designed to meet the NEMA Energy Efficient standards and for applications where the average loading is in excess of 50%, this low temperature rise (115°C or 80°C) product offers significant energy savings.

Significant energy savings is realized due to fewer losses in the transformer and reduced heat production, which leads to lower HVAC costs.

= Moderate Efficiency Savings

Harmonic Mitigation Transformers

Reduce harmonic currents and reap many benefits. Lower your maintenance and replacement costs. Eliminate overheating of the transformer and excessive operating temperatures. Less heat means less cooling costs where the transformer is installed.

Even though there is less heat, you can still use the full capacity of the transformer. No need to de-rate the transformer below the nameplate capacity because of the reduction in heat. Helps meet IEEE 519 harmonic limits.

= Moderate Penalty Savings

Power Conditioning Products

Don’t rob your facility of its potential! If you have high performance equipment, you need high performance power conditioning products to get the most out of your investment.

= High Penalty Savings

Power Factor Correction Capacitors

Keep your power factor high, increase your system’s capacity, and pay fewer penalties. In most cases, the payback is less than two years and many times, less than six months. This has a huge impact on your electricity bill.

= High Penalty Savings

Harmonic Filters

Harmonics waste money and energy, two things no one should waste. Generally, there are fixed and switched passive harmonic filters, as well as active harmonic correction that will move you in a power saving direction, all while meeting IEEE 519 standards.

= Low Penalty Savings

Active Harmonic Filters

Provides active harmonic control to monitor the distorted electrical signal, determine the frequency and magnitude of the harmonic content, and then cancel those harmonics with the dynamic injection of opposing current. All while providing the benefit of traditional passive filters with simpler engineering requirements, and easier, less expensive installation.

Ideal for retrofit, these active filters are available as both independent structures or as an integral component to a bundled motor control center. Additionally, they meet all IEEE 519 standards.

= Moderate Penalty Savings

Automatic Transfer Switches

These reliable and compact assemblies transfer essential loads and electrical distribution systems from utility power to alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar panels and fuel cells.

Automatic transfer switches have grown in popularity for co-generation and demand response applications to save through load shedding programs.

= High Demand Savings

Busway

Choosing busway over cable will save you energy. Your electricity bill won’t like it! Sized to carry the same current as cable, busway will have lower losses and can be reconfigured easily as facility needs change.

= Low Efficiency Savings

Motor Control Centers (MCC)

When you bundle products, you bundle savings as well. Grouping energy-saving motor control, associated control and distribution equipment together saves time, money, hassle and space.

= Low Efficiency Savings
= Moderate Time of Use Savings
= Moderate Demand Savings

Few more words //

There are many other electrical equipment you can see in various facilities that can be optimized or replaced with newer and modern pieces (like LV/MV adjustable frequency drives, UPS, metering devices, variable frequency drives etc.)

You need to excel in operations while saving where you can: energy, money, man power, headaches, hassles and those unrelenting regulations.

Reference // Energy savings solution by EATON