UM
Study Findings: Industrial Park Substation $14,000 in annual energy savings from power quality adjustments ◆ Measurements at the substation transformer feeding the industrial park identified energy losses of 353.6 kWh/day (average value) due to reactive power. ◆ Solution: Install time-control relays to disconnect capacitor bank at night.
Study Findings: Automotive Manufacturing Plant $50,000 in annual energy savings ◆ Surveys of six key areas including the engine plant and the car assembly plant showed significant energy waste due to power quality. ◆ Solution: Install capacitors and regulation controls and upgrade transformers.
Dealing effectively with the waste factor Addressing harmonics and unbalance typically requires the support of an electrical engineer and staff or contract electricians. Resolving harmonics involves some kind of mitigation equipment or changing the type of electronic equipment in operation. Resolving unbalance requires redistributing loads, installing unbalance compensation equipment or, sometimes, increasing overall electrical distribution system capacity. With the new Unified Power capability, costing out the labor and equipment necessary to abate the harmonics and unbalance, compared with the amount of energy wasted, is now a relatively straightforward ROI equation. Keep in mind that installing a harmonic filter will also improve overall power quality (which will increase equipment reliability, efficiency and service life and reduce downtime). Yes, things really have changed in the way we approach energy efficiency: It used to be that you couldn’t fix what you couldn’t see—or that you couldn’t fix what you couldn’t justify. Now, seeing is believing, and the fixing is easy. UM Frank Healy is Power Quality Manager with Fluke. He has advised and consulted on many aspects of instrumentation for electrical engineering for more than 21 years. E-mail: frank.healy@fluke.com. For more info, enter 261 at www.MT-freeinfo.com
Upgraded Online Pump Selection Tool
B
ell & Gossett, a unit of Xylem*, has announced a comprehensive update to its ESP-PLUS® online pump selection tool. Based on extensive user feedback, upgrades were made to improve visuals and streamline performance, yet ensure that the site remains familiar and user-friendly. Features include:
■ Accurate three-curve algorithms ■ New icons with tool-tips to help users
navigate the program ■ Flow, Head, Pump Speed, Pump Type ■ Metric (SI) and English units of measure ■ Option for viscous fluid correction
Gadgets
Efficient
■ Multiple motor selection methods ■ Series pump selection and graphing ■ Links to 2D and 3D CAD drawings
including Revit format ■ Variable speed operation ■ Pump accessory sizing
The program also help users select Triple Duty Valves® and suction diffusers, assists in system modeling with life-cycle costing and supplies a downloadable/emailable product schedule. Bell & Gossett Morton Grove, IL
*Xylem was launched in 2011 from the spinoff of the water-related businesses of ITT Corporation For more info, enter 03 at www.MT-freeinfo.com
30 | utilities manager
Volume 7 / no. 1