The First Facility Management Blog

Controlled Power Company, manufacturer of commercial, industrial, and medical electrical power solutions, has announced the availability of its
 new Series 700F Power Processor. Featuring a small footprint, high efficiency design, and optional power quality monitoring, the Series 700F is a solid state, automatic voltage regulator which guards against both high and low voltage conditions.

The Series 700F corrects wide input voltage deviations to well within the safe operating limits for information technology equipment as recommended by CBEMA and ITIC. The power protection that the Series 700F delivers meets the IEEE and ANSI standards that define power anomalies, occurrences, and their impact on operations. And with the processor’s front access cabinet design, left, right, and rear access are not required for system installation, operation, or service.

Available in 10 kVA to 150 kVA three phase sizes, the Series 700F is is designed to serve a range of facility applications—aerospace, pharmaceuticals/labs, broadcast communications, wastewater treatment plants, concert halls/theaters, refineries/ petrochem, printing presses, industrial lasers, food processing plants, and pulp/paper mills.

Armstrong Ceilings has introduced DC FlexZone, a ceiling grid system with the ability to distribute safe, low voltage direct current (DC) power to lighting fixtures, sensors, and other electrical devices in a ceiling.

The new grid system is designed to improve the flexibility and reuse of interior spaces by enabling faster and easier repurposing and reconfigurations to satisfy the changing needs of the occupants without the need to rewire. By providing “plug and play” modularity, DC FlexZone simplifies the management and control of lighting and other devices normally found in the ceilings of commercial buildings.

It can also contribute to the energy efficiency of buildings by enabling the use of more energy efficient devices and controls. For example, the DC FlexZone grid system can help accelerate the use of DC-based light emitting diode (LED) and other solid-state lighting devices. Additionally, the distribution of DC power directly through interior infrastructures such as ceilings can be a key component in systems that make more efficient use of on-site, DC-based renewable energy sources, such as solar.

Available in two Armstrong grid designs (Suprafine® T-bar and Silhouette® bolt-slot) the new system’s DC main beams with integrated electrical conductors are used with 9/16″ tegular ceilings and available in four different lengths.

Note: Armstrong is a founding member of the EMerge Alliance, an open, not-for-profit industry association launched in 2008 to create a new standard for the rapid adoption of safe, low-voltage DC power distribution and use in commercial building interiors. The EMerge standard will integrate interior infrastructures (like ceilings, furniture or walls), power, controls and peripheral devices, such as lighting, in a common platform. The standard will be released this summer, with EMerge-registered products from member companies expected to be available later this year.

Staco Energy Products Co. has introduced FirstLine® 924 three-phase Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for 20kW and 30 kW central emergency lighting system. This true on-line, double-conversion central inverter provides computer grade power quality for virtually any lighting system.

In addition to providing a continuous power supply during blackouts, the FirstLine 924 isolates and protects the connected load from damaging sags, swells, harmonics, noise, and voltage imbalances in the primary AC supply. Isolating the connected load from irregularities in the primary AC supply can significantly increase the life expectancy of lighting systems. Applications include public buildings, commercial and industrial facilities, high security areas, schools and universities, and more.

In the event of an AC power failure, the FirstLine 924 automatically transfers to battery power, providing a continuous power supply for 90 minutes, as required by NFPA 101. When power returns, the FirstLine 924 automatically recharges the batteries in preparation for the next power disturbance. Input voltage rating is 208Y/120 or 480Y/277, Delta connection with optional isolation transformer. Input voltage range is +/- 10% system start up, and +10%/-20% from nominal. Output voltage is regulated to +/-1% of nominal at full load. Total Harmonic Distortion is < 5% for non-linear loads, and < 2% for linear loads.

A front panel LCD display includes 2 x 24 character display, which shows system status and alarms. The user-friendly control panel located on the front of the freestanding NEMA 1 enclosure allows remote monitoring through an RS232 connection. Seismic Zone 4 certified, the FirstLine® 924 is made in the USA and backed by a two-year On-Site Warranty (covering both parts and labor).

Falcon Electric, Inc., a supplier of power protection and regulation solutions, has introduced its new Solid-State Voltage Regulator (SVR). The SVR Pro™ Series is comprised of active electronics based, solid state voltage regulators. The SVR Pro regenerates new, clean AC power continuously and protects power sensitive equipment against a wide spectrum of power related problems.

The SVR Pro Series from Falcon Electric is designed to protect laboratory, and other scientific, instrumentation.

Specifically designed to eliminate power disturbances that can wreak havoc with laboratory instrumentation, testing results, and process flow, the SVR Pro 1.5kVA, 2.2kVA, and 3kVA units deliver pure regulated power in a compact, 31 pound package. SVR Pro features an active electronic design that regenerates ultra clean, regulated power, assuring protection against generator frequency shifts, surges, sags, and extended brownouts. This ensures accurate test samples, maximizes equipment run time, and prevents retesting.

While tap switching regulators typically provide ±5% to 10% output regulation, the SVR removes damaging power pollution and assures a pure sinewave output with ±2% voltage regulation. This technology features a wide input voltage window from 80Vac to 138Vac. Some types of equipment have an initial high power demand when first turned on, resulting in a need to oversize most passive voltage regulators; the SVR Pro’s robust, active design is designed to handle these difficult loads. With an optional battery backup feature, the SVR Pro provides minutes to hours of battery backup power. The SVR Pro can operate in harsh temperature environments, from 0° to 55° Centigrade.

For a high level of control, the SVR Pro incorporates advanced microprocessor technology. The units’ LCD display provides lab managers with instantaneous line, load status, and operating parameters. The SVR Pro units are UL listed and meet FCC Class B and cUL requirements.

The MGE Galaxy EPS 8000 offers scalable power protection.

APC by Schneider Electric, recently released the MGE Galaxy EPS 8000 1000/1100kVA uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Designed for flexibility to meet the needs of many environments, including high power and no rear access, the MGE Galaxy EPS 8000 UPS line also offers paralleling capability, with an external static switch, to enable scalability for increased capacity or redundancy.

These new high power solutions, which can boost capacity from 1000kVA up to 3300kVA, allow IT and facilities managers to respond to increasing demands placed on power infrastructure in growing facilities.

The on-line, three-phase MGE Galaxy EPS 8000 offers scalable power protection using high availability proven topology since 2001 to protect all critical loads. Single module systems are available with 1000kVA to 1100kVA power ratings, and 100% rated continuous duty bypass and output static switches.

Relying on advanced 12 pulse rectifier and inverter technologies to restrict total harmonic distortion to less than 5%, the MGE Galaxy EPS 8000 delivers clean reliable power in even harsh electrical environments with its integrated galvanic copper isolation transformer. The unit can support environments such as data centers and computer rooms, as well as industrial, medical imaging, factory floor, and electrical room applications.

A 100% step-load capability ensures a fast response to load changes with accurate voltage regulation. In addition, the MGE Galaxy EPS 8000 incorporates fault tolerant circuitry that protects the UPS from accidental short circuits usually caused by load side failures or overloads and a 100% rated output static switch with a stable, reliable, pre-determined response time.

The unit interfaces with leading industry universal communication protocols and incorporates four communication slots in a rack mount multi-slot case to support SNMP, J-Bus/ModBus, and RS232-RS485 protocols for interfacing with most devices. With the available Solution-Pac power management software, the MGE EPS 8000 can monitor and control and shutdown multiple servers over a network, while free MGE UPS Web-Pac software enables remote monitoring via the Internet.

Currently available in North America, the MGE Galaxy EPS 8000 is UL-1778 and cUL (Canada) listed.

President Obama has been talking about the need for a smart grid to help keep America sustainable and competitive — and in fact, the current proposed economic stimulus package includes $54 billion for renewable energy, energy efficiency and smart grid projects. What exactly does that all mean and how will it affect your area?

See video from Siemens here.

A smart grid delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using digital technology to save energy and cost.

Our current grid resembles a huge network of electrical roads and highways — some are high speed, with electrical traffic covering far distances and others covering shorter distances moving at a slower pace. For this grid to work efficiently, electrical traffic needs to be kept at a steady, consistent pace throughout the grid. Too much “traffic” at one particular time can cause jams or bottlenecks in the system.

Because today’s power needs have changed so much — and power production is growing at a much faster rate than our grid capacity — it is imperative to have good “checks and balances” put in throughout the system to make sure that we can monitor and increase/decrease power to different parts of the grid when necessary to maintain a smooth, consistent flow. Utilizing smart meters and smart appliances together with a smart grid, will give consumers control over their own power consumption and electricity costs. All this will help our nation save money, protect our power sources from blackout, create jobs and deliver clean, alternative forms of energy to every corner of America.

Did you know?

• America operates about 157,000 miles of high voltage (>230kV) electric transmission lines.
• While electricity demand increased by about 25% since 1990, construction of transmission facilities decreased about 30%.
• It is estimated that power outages and disturbances cost the economy from $25 to $180 billion annually.

The Starline™ Plug-In Raceway from Universal Electric Corporation was designed to address the everchanging power distribution and datacom needs of university, hospital, research, pharmaceutical, and data labs. The product’s design offers flexibility, providing facility managers the ability to add or relocate electrical outlet plug-in modules anywhere on the raceway quickly and easily.

The Starline Plug-In Raceway offers a high degree of flexibility.

Insulated copper bus bars are preinstalled in the raceway sections. The user snaps the pre-assembled electrical outlet plug-in modules into place on the raceway backplane and the connection to power is made automatically without having to interrupt power. An optional datacom channel is available for data, video, and audio applications. Computer and phone jacks can also be placed at any location on the cable channel

The Plug-In Raceway system is tested to meet NEC and UL standards and carries the ETL mark. Joints and plug-in units require no maintenance.

The system is relocatable and scalable, allowing facility managers to expand, reconfigure or relocate the system anywhere they need power. It also helps to reduce installation time and related costs. In terms of safety and convenience, the Plug-In Raceway system allows the user to avoid large panel boards in a remote location and has greater flexibility without the confusion of determining which breaker corresponds to which outlet.

Available in 20, 40 or 60 Amps bussing; 120/208Vac or 277/480Vac; customizable lengths of raceway sections up to 10 feet; optional isolated ground; various plug-in modules are available complete with breaker and receptacle, and can be relocated anywhere on the raceway; plug-in modules are available in single phase and three phase configurations up to 30 amps; a variety of power feeds, elbows and fittings are available; field-cutting of elbows for precise jobsite fit; optional steel EMI shielding separator between channels.

The raceway is built with a smooth aluminum finish and its compact design requires minimal space.  Available in white or metallic silver finish.  Custom colors are available.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) announced recently that five electric utilities in the United States and Canada have joined EPRI to host studies of the impacts of retrofitting advanced amine-based post-combustion carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology to existing coal fired power plants. In addition to the five host site companies, 15 other companies and organizations, including six from Canada and one from Australia, have joined the project.

The five host companies and sites include Edison Mission Group’s 1,536 megawatt (MW) Powerton Station, operated by Midwest Generation, in Pekin, IL; Great River Energy’s 1,100 MW Coal Creek Station in Underwood, ND; Nova Scotia Power’s two 160 MW units at its Lingan Generating Station in Lingan, NS, Canada; Intermountain Power Agency’s 950 MW Intermountain Generation Station in Delta, UT, and the 176 MW circulating fluidized bed boiler Unit 1 at FirstEnergy’s Bay Shore Plant in Oregon, OH.

As global demand for electricity increases and regulators worldwide look at ways to reduce CO2 emissions, post combustion capture (PCC) for both new and existing units could be an important option. However, retrofit of PCC to an existing plant presents significant challenges, including limited space for new plant equipment, limited heat available for process integration, additional cooling water requirements, and potential steam turbine modifications.  
    
“EPRI’s analyses have shown carbon capture and storage will be an essential part of the solution if we are to achieve meaningful CO2 emissions reductions at a cost that can be accommodated by our economy,” said Bryan Hannegan, vice president of Generation and Environment at EPRI. “Projects such as this, in which a number of utility companies come forward to offer their facilities and form a collaborative to share the costs of research, are critical to establishing real momentum for the technologies that we will need.”
    
Each site offers a unique combination of unit sizes and ages, existing and planned emissions controls, fuel types, steam conditions, boilers, turbines, cooling systems, and options for CO2 storage. The variety of data from the studies will provide the participants with valuable information applicable to their own individual power generating assets.

These five studies will be conducted in 2009 and a report for each site will: assess the most practical CO2 capture efficiency configuration based on site constraints; determine the space required for the CO2 capture technology and the interfaces with existing systems; estimate performance and costs for the PCC plant; and assess the features of each plant that materially affect the cost and feasibility of the retrofit.

EPRI’s CoalFleet for Tomorrow® program already is conducting technical and economic assessments of ways to reduce CO2 emissions in new, advanced coal based generation. This new program will apply that knowledge to assess the suitability of retrofitting advanced amine PCC to plants currently in operation and to guide the design of plants under development
    
Knowledge gained from the EPRI study will allow us to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of reducing carbon emissions from existing coal fired plants that provide nearly half of this country’s electricity,” said Edison Mission Group CEO Ron Litzinger. “The challenge of achieving a low carbon future requires multiple approaches, from developing more renewable energy, to increasing energy conservation, to developing technology for new coal plants, to maintaining the viability of existing energy facilities.”
    
“The ultimate purpose of this research is to help our nation meet the growing demand for energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rick Lancaster, Great River Energy vice president of generation. “Our interest is in learning how we can capture CO2 from our existing coal plants, and thus continue to have a fleet of power plants that is productive, cost-effective and fulfills our duty to be good environmental stewards.”

The recently launched EMerge Alliance™ aims to lead the creation and deployment of a new power, control, and device-level technology standard for commercial interiors. This standard is being developed around the use of safe, low-voltage direct-current (DC) power. As the Alliance describes it, today’s workplaces are populated by fixed overhead lighting and a wide variety of electrical devices that are typically wired for a building’s lifetime rather than occupants’ changing needs. Building designers and owners increasingly have been seeking systems to make buildings more adaptable and integration of infrastructure, equipment, and furnishings that can improve energy efficiency.

Addressing these widespread needs for greater flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability is the focus of the EMerge Alliance, according to Alliance Chairman Brian Patterson of Armstrong World Industries. “While the ways in which we use electricity have changed dramatically, the manner in which electricity is distributed for interior devices and control purposes remains largely unchanged since the beginning of the 20th century,” says Patterson. “The EMerge Alliance is drawing from a broad and deep pool of leaders involved in the design, construction, and management of commercial buildings to create an enabling infrastructure that future proofs the workplace through the use of DC power. The standard is a revolutionary approach to the layout and re-use of interior space.”

Founding Members of the Alliance at the Governing level include Armstrong World Industries, Johnson Controls, Nextek Power Systems, OSRAM SYLVANIA, and WAVE.

Participating Members include Crestron Electronics, Delta Power, Finelite, Kanepi Innovations, Lighting Science Group, Steelcase, WattStopper,and Zumtobel.  Eden Park Illumination is a General Member, and Supporting Members include AVP, Brinjac Engineering, CleanTech Commercialization, EdCampus, Green Plug, Houston Advanced Research Center, JB Electrical, Los Angeles Community College District, Paladino and Company, Sensor Switch, Southern California Edison and Webcor Builders.

The central feature of the proposed EMerge standard is the selective and scaleable distribution of low-voltage DC power within common infrastructures already present in commercial interiors. For example, DC power is ideally suited for integration into the ceiling plane, providing facility managers with the ability to arrange and rearrange lighting, sensors, actuators, and other devices without the need for rewiring.

The EMerge standard also embraces the trend toward using on-site alternative energy, by providing a means of direct and more efficient connection between these new energy sources and interior electrical loads, like lighting and controls.

Patterson sees the development of this new commercial technology standard as providing a platform for innovation to create even more energy efficient and individually controllable devices for the future, such as Light-Emitting Diode (LED) or other solid-state general lighting devices.

“In creating a long-reaching, ‘plug and play’ standard for integrated management and control of lighting and the many digital devices found in commercial buildings, the Alliance is focused on the nexus of today’s top priorities for building owners–energy savings and adaptability. One of the most intriguing aspects is the ability to seamlessly connect a low voltage DC infrastructure to on-site generated alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind power,” said Patterson.  “This provides sustainability-minded building owners on the leading edge of power technologies with a faster return on their investment in clean energy.“

The EMerge Alliance is accepting new members interested in developing or supporting the EMerge standard.  Membership is open and available at a variety of levels, from those interested in contributing to or making products compatible with the new standard, to companies and organizations supporting the overall development of this new platform.  The Alliance is professionally managed by Global Inventures.

About the EMerge Alliance
The EMerge Alliance is an open industry association promoting the rapid adoption of safe, low-voltage DC power distribution and use in commercial building interiors. EMerge is focused on developing a global standard that integrates interior infrastructures, power, controls and a wide variety of peripheral devices, such as lighting, in a common platform.  Building owners can gain unprecedented design and space flexibility along with reduced energy usage and improved sustainability. Alliance membership is broad-based in nature, comprised of entities such as architects, interior designers, consultants, engineering firms, government and code groups, academic and industry groups, product manufacturers, and building owners.

Earlier this year, I traveled with several other journalists to attend a high tech event in Germany. While I was on that trip, I met a brilliant man named Brian Chee from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. In his capacity with the University, Chee not only builds and tests innovative power management solutions for server rooms and data centers, he also writes about the results and shares his findings freely with anyone who can benefit.

Currently, Chee is looking for facility professionals who would like to monitor their organizations’ energy usage through a free, Web based tool. The only requirement is that participating facilities must have networkable power meters.

Chee explains that the goal of the project is to “build a Web based system for displaying both live and historical power utilization. It’s my hope that the project will be adopted throughout the university, including 10 campuses and 30 research institutes. I will eventually be donating the source code to the public domain (open source).”

Chee is using power monitoring devices from a Portland, OR-based company called Obvius, but he is looking for partners using any type of networkable power meters. Sample tables and graphs for the project can be found at the following link.

Anyone interested in participating in this project should contact Chee directly. Here is his contact information:
Brian Chee
University of Hawai’i at Manoa
School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology (SOEST)
2525 Correa Road, HIG 500
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: 808-956-5797
E-mail: chee@hawaii.edu