Types of Backup Power Solutions
Before developing a plan to address your energy needs, you must know the types of backup power solutions suitable for water and wastewater treatment facilities.
If you have questions about the following backup power solutions, please reach out to Global Power for assistance. One of our team members can discuss how the option might fit your unique needs.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS) replace lost power immediately, allowing your equipment to continue operating during grid disruptions.
Online UPS systems are the most effective option because they remain connected to your equipment. Electricity flows from the grid to your UPS and passes to your facility’s critical assets. The UPS system draws a small amount of that power to keep its battery charged. That way, the battery’s power can instantly replace electricity from a lost connection.
Other types of UPS systems include offline and line-interactive. Offline and line-interactive UPS designs can provide battery backup power for water and wastewater facilities, but they might take about 25 milliseconds to replace the lost grid connection. In some cases, this short-term interruption can be tolerated. However, it’s not an optimal strategy for critical assets.
Learn more: Factors to Consider When Selecting a UPS Backup System
Generators
UPS systems are essential for preventing disruptions in your water facility, but they can only store limited amounts of electricity. Consider investing in generators if you need enough wastewater treatment power to operate for days.
Generators take some time to start, so your UPS system will fill the gap easily while you prepare them.
When choosing generators, consider whether you want models that connect directly to natural gas lines or mobile models that require manual fueling. Connecting to a natural gas line helps ensure ongoing power for wastewater pumps and other equipment. It might also simplify your backup power plan because you know you can turn on your generators quickly to get the required amount of electricity.
Mobile backup generators that run on diesel fuel also have advantages, though. For instance, you can store them in a central location and move them to facilities that need backup power. You could also use them to generate electricity while building or upgrading new water treatment facilities.
Learn more: Choosing the Right Generator for Your Business: A Comprehensive Guide
Renewable Energy
Many renewable energy systems don’t use the grid to create water treatment power. Instead, you have a stand-alone system that powers critical equipment.
The option—or options—you choose will likely depend on your location and energy requirements. Solar panels work great in places with abundant sun but are less reliable in areas with frequent cloud coverage.
Similarly, you might want to incorporate wind power into your renewable energy strategy if your facility is located near a shore or a large, flat field. Wind almost certainly won’t suit a facility surrounded by buildings that would block the gusts needed to spin turbines. It’s important to recognize that water treatment power can be created using a combination of renewable energy sources, batteries, and fossil fuels.
Adding more components to a microgrid increases the reliability of water treatment power. On sunny days, your microgrid can rely on power from solar panels. When clouds roll in, your wind turbines can generate electricity. When renewable energy options don’t work, you can turn to natural gas generators and the energy stored in your BESS.
Renewable energy hasn’t completely replaced traditional sources, but it complements fossil fuels to improve reliability, decrease emissions, and increase self-sufficiency.
Learn more: Microgrids Offer Long-Term Power Resiliency
