Energy – Novotek Ideas Hub https://ideashub.novotek.com Ideas Hub Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:28:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.11 https://ideashub.novotek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Novotek-logo-thumb-150x150.png Energy – Novotek Ideas Hub https://ideashub.novotek.com 32 32 How Novotek is helping the energy industry meet its sustainability development goals https://ideashub.novotek.com/how-novotek-is-helping-the-energy-industry-meet-its-sustainability-development-goals/ Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:28:46 +0000 https://ideashub.novotek.com/?p=3327 This is the second of two articles where we examine the key industries of water and energy in the context of The Sustainable Development Goals, developed by the United Nations. In the first, article we looked at the water industry, with a particular focus on how it could improve water quality, minimising leakages, and reduce untreated wastewater entering the environment. In this article, we look at how energy companies can ensure the lights stay on and the consumer benefits from clean and affordable energy.

Affordable and clean energy

Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. More recently, with the war in Ukraine, it has also become a national security issue. So, as well as, increasing substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2023, energy providers also need to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.

Achieving this is a huge task, but as with the water industry, it starts with data. With data you can fuel the advanced technology needed to monitor, predict and reduce emissions. So, for instance, using advanced analytics and artifical intelligence (AI) energy companies can set and achieve emission targets. And with greater

visibility and understanding it is easier to identify cost-saving in the network. This is set against a background of an increasing number of distributed energy sources, companies, digital technologies, and solutions in use; coupled with the fact that this technology is also beginning to mainstream the bi-directional flow of power back into the grid from consumer level via domestic battery storage and generation such as solar, and vehicle to grid technology.

There is no doubt that energy systems are becoming more and more complex and multi-factorial. Therefore, the need for data to integrate, so it can be managed as a whole, becomes more vital. This is essential to provide greater insight and thereby achieve net zero.

Gathering data allows companies and policy makers to visualise and monitor the totality of the transition to a decarbonised energy system in real time. With a clearer view they can determine the direction in which the transition is moving, and the effectiveness of implemented policy. The more visibility of data, the more business and policy makers can move away toward a proactive approach, built around data driven predictions.

In summary, managing the change from fossil fuel to decarbonised power generation requires the necessary data so that a balance between the environment and business economies, can be achieved. To see how this can work in practice download this useful whitepaper.

To learn more about how Novotek can help the energy industry achieve its sustainability development goals, get in touch with us here

]]> Managing multiple energy sources https://ideashub.novotek.com/managing-multiple-energy-sources/ Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:51:20 +0000 https://ideashub.novotek.com/?p=3270

In 2013, the UK Government Office for Science produced a report, entitled the Future role for energy in manufacturing. In this report, they identified two threats to UK-based manufacturers. The first was that the price of energy in the UK will rise, compared to the cost faced by competitor firms abroad, placing UK manufacturers at a significant disadvantage. Well, the price has risen but globally because of the Russia Ukraine war. Nevertheless, the threat to UK manufacturing is still valid. The second threat is that a low-carbon electricity supply will be unreliable, and that the cost of power cuts will rise. Well, that is certainly true if you rely solely on low-carbon electricity. But using multiple sources of power can be greatly beneficial.

In 2021, US rankings put technology companies at the top of their list for renewables users. Google derives 93% of its total electricity consumption from solar and wind power. Microsoft accounted for 100% of its electricity use from wind, small hydro and solar power, while Intel also derived 100% of its electricity from various renewables.

In the manufacturing world, more and more producers are turning to multiple sources to power their manufacturing, particularly those that are in the energy intensive production industries.

Tesla is well known for committing to renewable energy in manufacturing, with its solar-panelled roofs and use of waste heat and cold desert air to govern production processes in its Gigafactories.

Some of the bigger names in the manufacturing world that are utilising a solar system include GM, L’Oreal and Johnson & Johnson.

Manufacturing companies make ideal spots for solar system installations for several reasons. First, these businesses typically operate out of large plants with sizeable roofs. These expansive, flat spaces are perfect for setting up many solar panels. Also, manufacturing plants tend to be located in industrial parks and other areas far away from tall buildings, so they avoid the problems caused by massive structures looming over solar panels and creating shade. And smaller manufacturers can also benefit from multiple energy sources to both reduce their costs and reliance on the grid.

Making it work

The process of combining various types of energy is called a multi-carrier energy system, which increases energy efficiency. The technology that allows two or more independent three-phase or single-phase power system to synchronise can be achieve using a Power Sync and Measurement (PSM) system, such as the module found in the PACSystem RX3i Power Sync & Measurement Systems (IC694PSM001 & IC694ACC200). This will monitor two independent three-phase power grids. It incorporates advanced digital signal processor (DSP) technology to continuously process three voltage inputs and four current inputs for each grid.

Measurements include RMS voltages, RMS currents, RMS power, frequency, and phase relationship between the phase voltages of both grids.

The PSM module performs calculations on each captured waveform, with the DSP processing the data in less than two-thirds of a power line cycle. The PSM module can be used with wye or delta type three-phase power systems or with single-phase power systems.

There are unquestionably many cases where a plant-wide solution like an MES is necessary or even preferable. We and our key technology and services partners have delivered many such “complete” systems across the country. However, it should certainly not be considered the only option for agile industrial businesses. If each factory can be thought of as a collection of work processes/functions that need to be delivered, then implementing the supporting/enabling technology as a collection of micro-apps can make sense. And when balancing risk, cost and speed to value, sometimes, moderation in plant technology deployments can provide the most bountiful benefits.

The PSM system can be used for applications such as:

  • Electrical power consumption monitoring and reporting
  • Fault monitoring
  • Generator control features for generator to power grid synchronization
  • Demand penalty cost reduction/load shedding

The PSM system consists of:

  • PSM module – A standard IC694 module that mounts in an RX3i main rack. The PSM module provides the DSP capability.
  • Terminal Assembly – A panel-mounted unit that provides the interface between the PSM module and the input transformers.
  • Interface cables – Provide the GRID 1 and GRID 2 connections between the PSM module and the Terminal Assembly

The image below shows how a basic PSM system can be connected.

PSM System Features
  • Uses standard, user-supplied current transformers (CTs) and potential transformers (PTs) as its input devices.
  • Accurately measures RMS voltage and current, power, power factor, frequency, energy, and total three-phase 15-minute power demand.
  • Provides two isolated relays that close when the voltage phase relationships between the two monitored grids are within the specified ANSI 25 limits provided by the RX3i host controller. These contacts can be used for general-purpose, lamp duty or pilot duty loads. Voltage and current ratings for these load types are provided in GFK-2749, PACSystems RX3i Power Sync and Measurement System User’s Manual.
  • Provides a cable monitoring function that indicates when the cables linking the PSM module and Terminal Assembly are correctly installed.
  • PSM module and Terminal Assembly are easily calibrated by hardware configuration using the PAC Machine Edition (PME) software.

To find out how Novotek can help you reduce your energy consumption and manage multiple energy sources email us at info_uk@novotek.com

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