critical power

UPS system provider Tripp Lite has introduced a surge protector, which it claims will save energy.

The ECO-SURGE SK 10TG Surge Suppressor protects any plugged in electrical device from power surges, including shutting power off to potentially dangerous devices, such as electric heaters.

The device is the first surge protector that also features an energy saving timer to cut off power to plugged in devices that are left on overnight, this prevents energy being wasted via phantom loads.

The shut off timer can be set at one, three or six hours.

Kohler Power Systems has introduced a 2500 kW generator with a V-16 engine that offers greater power density with a reduced footprint, compared with previous models.

The new model, 2500REOZDC, has a 60Hz standby rating, a 50C cooling system and heavy-duty air cleaner assembly and durable dual-bearing alternators.

The generator is approved for International Building Code (IBC) 2012 seismic certification, as well as meeting the NFPA 110 requirements of providing power in under ten seconds.

Adam Dykstra, staff engineer for Kohler Power Systems, explained the importance of earthquake proof power supply systems in areas prone to quakes: “It’s crucial for backup emergency power systems to start and remain operational. KOHLER generators have passed rigorous shake tests conducted at AC156-qualified labs led by a reputable third-party agency and approved by structural and professional engineers to guarantee their reliable performance.”

Engine manufacturer Cooper Corporation has launched a range of three cylinder, 62.5 KVA and 82.5 KVA diesel generators called the Cooper ECOPACK range.

The lightweight gensets are ‘ECO’ because they offer 25% lower fuel consumption than similar models and meet US and European emission regulations.

The 10 KVA to 40 KVA genset range is powered by a twin cylinder, in-line, 4-valve, liquid cooled, Cooper diesel engine, based on common rail diesel injection – CRDi – technology. The range goes up to 180 KVA powered by three, four and six cylinder Cooper engines.

As well as consuming 25% less fuel, the ECOPACK range is 25% smaller in size, 40% lighter, offers 42% savings in maintenance cost and is several times quieter than similar models.

Cooper has collaborated with Ricardo in the UK to develop this range.

Emerson is creating a thermal management section of its business to develop and provide a holistic approach to environment control within data centres.

The business is in response to environmental guidelines set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers that considers a data centre as a complete environment.

John Schneider, the head of the new department, said: “The data centre is an active, always-changing ecosystem where IT needs, geographic location and external weather conditions are connected, and changes in any one area have broad-reaching implications. We are delivering the next generation of data centre cooling, with innovative services, software and hardware integrated and optimised to reliably, efficiently and cost-effectively control and manage heat.”

The division will cater for data centres of any size and offer technologies and solutions including air, waterside and innovative pumped-refrigerant economisers in addition to state-of-the-art controls and wireless sensors for maximum efficiency.

Technological developments such as wired and wireless sensors to monitor equipment use, performance and environmental conditions provide a mass of information that previously would have been lost within all the data. The new thermal management approach handles this intelligence so customers can analyse and understand the information to be able to act upon it in real-time to give better control.

The late June heat wave that affected large areas of the western US caused a need for EnerNOC to dispatch 850MW of demand response capacity.

The extended heat caused increased power consumption as demand on air conditioning units soared, which threatened grid stability and led to a spike in electricity prices.

EnerNOC dispatched the power to 14 customers across California, Idaho, Utah and New Mexico to restore balance in their systems.

“Because buildings retain heat, it takes more energy on day three, four, and five of a heat wave to cool the same amount of space. This heat wave has been unrelenting in many areas, taxing the grid and creating an increased need for power,” explained Tim Healy, Chairman and CEO of EnerNOC. He added that the company employed strategic load shedding of across thousands of sites, to ensure stable, reliable power was delivered to millions of people affected by this heat wave.

An increased number of utilities have integrated demand response into their portfolios to manage increased energy use without having to use peaking power plants.