HOW TO SIZE YOUR HYBRID GENERATOR SOLUTION

Power You Can Trust

Introduction

We are in a time where sustainability is right at the top of the list for all business regardless of the sector especially when it comes to choosing a power solution for the business operation.

Battery Energy Storage (BES) units in particular are the emerging technology for grid stabilisation and in particular in the construction sector where they are able to offer an efficient, clean, and reliable energy storage package when married to the more traditional diesel generating set.. There is of course an art to matching a BES Unit(s) and diesel generating set (a hybrid combination) to the load it is required to feed – getting the correct capacity of equipment is crucial.

This paper aims to provide a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your sustainability goals and operational needs.

 

Your Energy Requirements

The starting point in establishing the equipment you need is to understand what power you are using and when you are using it. Whether you are in manufacturing, construction or a business where demand is high the process is the same:

  • Historical Energy Usage information: Look at your past energy consumption to identify periods of average and peak demand
  • Understand Future Energy Requirements: Look at an planned expansion of the business that could impact current energy use
  • Identify Critical Loads: Identify critical / essential systems within the business that require uninterrupted power

 

Your Operational Objectives

Understanding the key operational objectives of the business will  significantly influence the size of the BES unit / hybrid solution that you need. It could be cutting energy costs, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the business, cost reduction or ensuring business continuity in the event of a power failure; all of these will impact the selection process.

  • Sustainability Targets:If reducing emissions is a priority it is essential to understand the load profile of the business i.e. periods of low loads and peak loads. A BES unit could be used during periods of low load demand such as running a construction site cabin complex during the night. In such applications a generator would be required to run as a hybrid solution where the generator runs (or shares) the load and recharges the BES during the day.
  • Cost-Saving:Using the BES only during periods of low-load reducing the running time of the generator hence the amount of fuel burnt by the generating set reducing overall carbon emissions
  • Reliability: For some sectors such as a utility or a hospital the focus is more likely to be on continuity of supply where the hybrid / BES solution can protect the critical load
  • Noise: Some key sites may have a low or zero-noise policy during certain hours the day. In such a situation a BES can installed such that the generator doesn’t need to run during hours when low levels of noise are required

BES Unit Capacity and Power

There are two main things to understand when sizing a BES Unit sizing: capacity (kWh) and power (kW). The capacity of the BES is the total amount of energy stored (usable), while power is the rate at which that energy can be delivered.

  • Required Capacity: The capacity required is will be based on your energy assessment and is  based on a combination of the amount of load (kW) you have and how long you want the stand alone BES to support your load (h). This gives you the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) you need
  • Power Needs: From your power / load analysis you need to look for the times of highest power consumption. Using this will determine the kW rating of BES Unit you require
  • Sizing Paired Generator: You may choose to operate the BES unit from the mains or as a hybrid solution. Our team will help accurately match the rating of generating set most appropriate to your operational load and load profile as well as ensuring you achieve an optimal level of fuel consumption. Also see the generator sizing module on our web site

 Talk with the Experts – How can WB Power Services help?

With your preliminary power analysis completed, it’s vital to consult with the experts in this field who can help refine your results and projections. This is where WB Power Services can help. What will we do?:

  • Technical Evaluations Undertake an in-depth analysis of your energy usage and requirements, then advising how best to help with your site’s needs.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the BES Unit meets international, national and industry and standards.
  • Future-Proofing: Advice on how your future power requirements can be best managed via product scalability and adaptability

What are the Benefits

  • Savings: Calculate your return on investment, identifying potential savings on energy, the cost of fuel saved, the reduction in CO2 emissions
  • Environmental Impact: Let you know how the BES Unit or Hybrid solutions aligns with your sustainability goals and the positive environmental impact of reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Case studies: We have a number of customer based case studies demonstrating how customers have been able to cut the running time of their generating set and the associated reduction in fuel usage and emissions. (Also see our white paper on HYBRID GENERATION IN THE POWER GENERATION HIRE MARKET)

The NetZPack is also able to use power provided from other sources such as renewable energy from wind or solar with either or both working in combination with the generating set. Additionally, the system has an input for a grid-based mains supply making a great source of power where the grid supply is unstable and subject to frequent disruption and hence enhancing the reliability and of the grid.

AUTHOR

G R Halliday

Business Consultant

WB Power Services Ltd

 

ENQUIRE NOW

DOWNLOAD THE WHITE PAPER