A cost effective energy management system

Electrical Power & Protection

February 2017 Electrical Power & Protection

By Dave Le Roux, Le Roux, Bouttell & Associates.

LBA’s Stellar energy management system has been designed for the sole purpose of minimising energy consumption during high peak and standard tariff times. This in turn saves users from paying extremely high energy bills from their local energy supplier. The control algorithms continuously monitor the energy consumption and outputs are then controlled based on easily definable rules.

System control based on selected priorities

Many factories and other users have systems that can run independently of each other. This is especially true for most cold storage facilities, pumping schemes and others. Many of these installed processes have no means of effectively scheduling energy consumption during the correct time of day. Certain hours of the day have large penalty tariffs for electrical consumption, whilst other times have lower charge tariffs. The key to the Stellar system is to control the usage based on selected priorities.

If certain processes are required to run during peak times, this system will allow those processes to operate. Those processes that are not as critical, but could run during peak times, will only operate as long as the energy set-point for that particular time period is not exceeded. During standard times, additional processes will be allowed to operate. In the off peak times, the control software will allow all processes to run. With the correct application of Stellar Energy Control Software, users are guaranteed considerable savings per year at minimal cost and capital outlay.

What savings can be expected?

The average user can expect to save in the region of 10-20% of their monthly electricity bill (the lower the bill, the lower the percentage savings). During the high peak months (June to August), savings can be as high as 20% of the total energy bill. Actual case studies have shown this to be the case in all sites where time of use control has been applied.

How is the system implemented?

Because of the user’s concern about whether the EMS can in fact save money, the software licence is offered free of charge for an initial trial period. There is a fixed configuration cost to install the system on site, utilising the users existing installed hardware and software. If the user does not wish to purchase the licence, then the software is simply returned at no further cost.

The only equipment necessary is the installation of an energy meter required to measure the power usage, and a method (PLC) to control the operation of the various cold rooms etc. The system is designed to link into any local system via discrete I/O, OPC server or modifications to the client’s own control system.

So, how does it all work? Interested readers can download the full report at http://instrumentation.co.za/+J1839

For more information contact Dave Le Roux, Le Roux, Bouttell & Associates, +27 (0)11 514 0909, dave@lbaa.co.za, www.lbaa.co.za

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