Battery Energy Storage Room for Emergency Backup Power
In the face of climate change and wildly varying weather conditions, the risk of power outages is higher than ever. Extreme weather events can devastate public infrastructure and bring business to a stop. That’s why more businesses in the public and private sectors are investing in integrated critical power systems. With a few possible components – including a UPS, BESS, or generator – integrated critical power systems prevent downtime and help ensure business continuity.
What Is an Integrated Critical Power System?
An integrated critical power system utilizes one or more energy sources to provide resilient and sustained backup power. It’s called “integrated” because it’s incorporated into the main power supply. Power switches over to the backup system in case of an outage. And they’re known as “critical power systems” because they power the most essential systems needed for business continuity.
Each potential component of a critical power system is better for some applications than others. Integrating one or more of these power sources provides a more resilient solution.
Here’s an example of a holistic, integrated critical power system: an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides immediate power during an outage. In contrast, a battery energy storage system (BESS) is a long-term power source that stores energy in high-capacity batteries. A generator provides power for extended outages. Integrating all three backup power sources offers a durable solution, avoiding the shortcomings of each individual system.
It helps to examine the advantages and downsides of each to understand why businesses need an integrated system instead of relying on just one critical power system.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
Battery-powered UPS systems provide immediate energy when a primary power source fails. A UPS is best for protecting sensitive electronics since it can stabilize voltage fluctuations and provide surge protection. This is why the UPS has been a staple of small and large data centers for decades. A UPS is excellent for keeping servers and network equipment running in an outage. In addition, they are useful outside the data center, as UPS systems are also used to keep medical devices running or to stabilize manufacturing equipment.
However, UPS systems have a limited runtime on battery power. This is typically between a few minutes and an hour, making them best suited for shorter power outages. While businesses can add battery capacity for a longer runtime, this quickly becomes cost-prohibitive. The advanced technology and high-end components that make UPS batteries work so well come at a cost, making them better suited for short-term needs.
BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
While a BESS also uses batteries, they store significant amounts of energy to provide longer backup power than a UPS. This makes a BESS better suited to medium and large-scale applications. BESS systems store excess energy from various sources, including solar and wind. This integration and a reduced reliance on fossil fuels make BESS an attractive choice. On the other hand, the large battery capacity means BESS systems typically have a higher upfront cost than UPS installations.
Generators
Generators are capable of powering large loads, with the ability to run factory machinery, construction equipment, and other heavy-duty applications. They have a long runtime, often making them the primary energy source for long-term outages or in the aftermath of natural disasters. On the downside, generators rely on the combustion of fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gas emissions. They can also be noisy in certain situations, contributing to noise pollution. Consult with a power supply expert to ensure compliance with state and local emissions and noise pollution regulations.
Integrated Power Systems in Businesses Today
With all the business applications that power commerce today, it’s no surprise that the backup power market continues to grow. Most companies have no tolerance for more than a power flicker. An extended outage means not only loss of business but potential reputational damage, too. You only have to look at the backup power sector’s growth stats for evidence that businesses now prioritize integrated critical power systems.
The US backup power market is expected to reach $3.49 billion by the end of 2024. It’s predicted to grow at a rate of 5.10% and reach $4.47 billion by 2029. This growth rate is tremendous, outpacing many other industries. Companies are investing in integrated critical power systems because they see their competitors do the same. There are numerous success stories from the past few years, and here’s a summary of a few of them.
Providing Backup Power to Public Works Amid Catastrophic Weather
Every year brings more catastrophic weather events. The damage from hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters devastates communities. Public works systems are always under tremendous pressure to restore services quickly. Key West Resort Utilities Corporation (KWRU), a Key West, Florida wastewater utility, understands this better than most.
KWRU is responsible for sanitary sewer operations, and the loss of power can shut pump stations down. This can lead to a backup of raw sewage, which can spill into the environment or homes. The utility had an existing critical power system that proved insufficient for Florida regulations. KWRU needed a very dependable solution to meet Florida’s strict regulations.
Global Power Supply collaborated with KWRU to revise their integrated critical power system and arrived at a novel solution: a 500 kVA UPS trailer, a 500 kW generator and associated cables, a load bank tester, and an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) for automated transfers to UPS power. This combination of UPS and generators provides a long-lasting solution to help KWRU and Florida residents through natural disasters.
Combatting Power Outages in High-Traffic Areas
Following devastating wildfires caused by downed power lines in California, PG&E, the state’s largest energy provider, deployed a new program to reduce the potential for further wildfires. The program, known as the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), works by cutting power to specific regions in California during extreme high wind events. The PSPS program has had a huge impact on California businesses and even the state’s transportation system.
Power loss in high-traffic tunnels, which rely on the primary power grid for lighting and ventilation, could have a devastating impact on public safety. Reliable backup power solutions are critical to ensure public safety and daily continuity.
Bentancourt Bros. Construction reached out to GPS to help find a solution for their customer, Caltrans. The goal was to find an integrated solution for the high-traffic Caldecott tunnel in Oakland. Global Power Supply, in coordination with MTU, ASCO, and Johnson Thermal, provided an engineered solution, including two 2500 kW standby generators in custom enclosures, UPS, switchgear, and emissions control kits. Now, the PSPS program can continue without disrupting traffic in one of the state’s busiest throughways.
Key Considerations: Regulations, Implementation Challenges, and Best Practices
These two large-scale projects in the public space are good examples of how no critical power system implementation is a turnkey, out-of-the-box solution. Global Power Supply’s work with Bentancourt Bros. Construction and Caltrans was in response to an environmental protection program in a state with many environmental regulations. The emissions control kits and enclosures were key to gaining approval for the project.
Federal, state, and local regulations will require permits before generator installation and operation. Emissions certificates and other safety and environmental tests may also be required before proceeding with any integrated critical power system. Safety and environmental stewardship should always be a prime consideration, whether required by law or not, to be a good corporate citizen.
The growing demand for green energy and sustainable solutions can be an implementation challenge, but it’s not the only one. There are also safety issues to consider. For instance, the area around a generator should be clean and free of hazardous or combustible materials. Critical power systems require proper grounding, and all fuel needs to be kept cool and dry. A site survey will almost assuredly be required to ensure these requirements can be met.
Another key consideration is ongoing maintenance. A regular maintenance schedule is a necessity, but this work should only be done by trained and qualified personnel. This could mean hiring extra staff to maintain your backup power solution properly.
Other best practices for a critical power system implementation include:
- Conduct a needs assessment. Determine which systems are essential and prioritize powering them.
- Select the UPS, BESS, and/or generator that can handle the required power load.
- Develop a disaster recovery plan which covers the procedures for power outages and switching to backup power.
- Consult with an experienced partner in the power systems industry to help ensure project success.
Global Power Supply: Your Partner for Integrated Critical Power Systems
Backup power is more important than ever. Extreme weather conditions mean the threat of power outages is always around the corner. At the same time, business runs around the clock and any stoppage can be disastrous to your company. Customer demands don’t stop during power disruptions; continuous power is needed for public safety. The time to consider an integrated critical power system is now, but it’s hard to go it alone. Resellers play a critical role in helping you assess your power needs. They can also recommend tailored solutions and offer technical support. To make informed decisions about your backup power system, turn to Global Power Supply, an experienced partner in integrated critical power systems.
Global Power Supply carries the top brands in the backup power space: Toshiba and Riello UPS systems, MTU Onsite Energy generators, and products from Caterpillar, Cummins, Hipower, MTU, and more. We have years of experience finding the right solutions for critical power systems in both private and public spaces. We can use that knowledge to find the best solution for your backup power needs. To learn more, contact us today.