Informing the electrical industry for over 140 years
April 2017 Volume 250 | No4 www.electricalreview.co.uk
Cable management Compliance, quality and cost management
Power generation, transmission and distribution Dealing with a data centre’s appetite for power
Drives & controls Time to say goodbye?
Edge Computing is Fuelling Innovation in the Micro Data Centre Space
A
ccording to the technology analyst ABI Research, one of the most significant Internet of Things (IoT) trends is the shifting balance from cloud computing to edge computing. The early days of the IoT were characterized by the critical role of cloud platforms supplying the intelligence to systems where devices were relatively unsophisticated. However, today a paradigm shift is underway as more intelligence is packed in at device level. At the same time, new architecture choices are allowing organizations deploying IoT technologies to enhance physical assets and processes in novel ways. Edge computing, says ABI, is what’s driving this shift. This is a very interesting time because at Schneider Electric we believe that micro data centres are very much an emerging technology. They’re at the very beginning of a trend, which is in part a larger component of edge computing, something that is beginning to affect all forms of business as the world becomes ever more digitised. As a company, we see there are currently two major forms of edge computing used in real-world applications: The first uses a small, embedded or connected device to handle relatively light loads, from which the resulting data remains at the edge. The second is what the industry refers to as a regional data centre – which is going to look and feel a lot like a regular data centre – but will however be located closer to the edge of where the compute is taking place. Many customers have come to Schneider Electric with this emerging requirement and many times micro data centres are the solution that meet their challenges, whether that’s latency, connectivity or indeed the location of company or customer data. In such scenarios the compute required by a customer will typically fit within a single rack, or a small number of racks that have been specifically optimized for the application. In many instances the customer will want to be able to deploy the solution quickly and easily and with all of the IT component and accompanying power, cooling, security, management software and monitoring built in.
Electrical Review | April 2017
Today, micro data centres are designed as a range of off the peg solutions suitable for installation in a range of environments. In some instances they can look like a piece of office furniture and conversely some of them are deployed as industrialized or what we typically call ‘ruggedized solutions’ that are designed to provide compute power and connectivity outside or from a hostile environment. Dependent on the customer application there are different forms of micro data centre systems, which are built and tested at the factory then shipped to location as a complete solution. They are designed to allow customers to deploy data centre compute anywhere, with integrated power, UPS, power distribution, management software, monitoring and cooling to support a selfcontained, secure computing environment. Most recently, at Schneider Electric we’ve launched the Micro data Center Xpress range of connected products, making it faster, easier and more cost effective to build and deploy physical infrastructure solutions at the network edge. Designed to allow IT equipment to be pre-installed by the customer, partner or integrator before shipment, they feature complete data centre physical infrastructure and management software in a single selfcontained and secure enclosure. Their high-strength designs and special shockproof packaging enable IT equipment to be pre-installed and shipped directly to customer sites with an industry-leading deployment time of between 2-3 weeks. And in addition, all Micro Data Centre Xpress solutions are pre-tested and certified by leading IT vendors to ensure complete integration between the physical infrastructure and software components. With developments in both the prefabricated and modular spaces, combined with a clear focus on IoT technologies, Schneider Electric have been leading the trend in the Micro Data Centre space and have continued to work closely with many different customers to ensure that Edge Computing solutions continue to address the challenges of Big Data, Latency and Service availability. The development of micro data centre solutions provides a ready-made environment for converged and hyper-converged IT appliances. Collectively, this type of technological convergence helps to ensure solutions which are not only predictable in performance, but also answer the challenges of skills shortages in both sectors. It’s not unreasonable to anticipate future micro data centre systems to incorporate the IT load as well as the physical infrastructure to support it in a plug and play solution. At Schneider Electric we’ve been focused on extending converged thinking into the physical infrastructure space. In doing so, it enables customers have the opportunity to deploy IT anywhere. This becomes an effective solution when you can design and test components together and offer customers a completely integrated system. The company continues to
collaborate with other IT vendors, ensuring that our all of our data centre physical infrastructure solutions are optimized to integrate seamlessly and immediately anticipate and meet the needs of our customers. Which is especially valuable to the growing number of companies looking for systems that can be deployed easily at the edge of networks. However, the physical boundaries of where data is processed and stored seem to be ever expanding. IT professionals must consider how and where they wish to run each application and whether or not it makes sense to place it and its resulting data into a public cloud, private cloud or into a micro data centre. If latency and security are issues, then a combination of both micro data centres and edge computing should be seriously considered. But as we continue to work alongside thousands of customers to understand their challenges it is inevitable that we will create solutions that will address their needs both today and into the future.
By Kevin Brown, CTO and SVP of Innovation, IT Division, Schneider Electric www.electricalreview.co.uk
CONTENTS | 3
04 NEWS Free guide to contingency planning
08 GOSSAGE Gossage:gossip
12 CABLE MANAGEMENT Compliance, quality and cost management
30 INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS Building automation – a business opportunity not to miss out on
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20 PGTD Dealing with the data centre’s appetite for power
32 RENEWABLE ENERGY Renewable energy integration – Predicting the unpredictable
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24 DRIVES AND CONTROLS Time to say goodbye?
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4 | NEWS
Industry backs new Power Players initiative A series of leading organisations from across building services engineering are backing the new industry-wide Power Players initiative, which is being run by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), and is set to formally launch in late spring. All Things Media – who are running this year’s Electrical Design & Install Expo – will be an official partner of Power Players. As part of this, the finalists will be showcased during the ECA-sponsored ED&I Expo in September, with the winners announced during the show. The Electrical Industries Charity will also be partnering on Power Players, with EIC’s CEO Tessa Ogle to feature on the initiative’s judging panel. ECA CEO Steve Bratt commented: “I am delighted to confirm that our new Power Players initiative is attracting support from right across the engineering services sector. With recognition and some great prizes on offer, we look forward to seeing top talent from the sector taking part in the initiative.” Electrical Industries Charity CEO Tessa Ogle said: “Power Players is a very important initiative because it will provide recognition for young people who are already making a positive impact in the early part of their careers. The Electrical Industries Charity is delighted to be involved and I look forward to working with all of the partners to highlight and reward the successes which the younger generation are bringing to the industry.” Power Players is also being supported by a range of other industry bodies including: • Scottish electrical trade body SELECT • Joint Industry Board (JIB) • Electrical Distributors Association (EDA) • Building Services and Environmental Engineer (BSEE) • Voltimum, the electrical industry portal Power Players is a completely digital initiative aimed at the younger generation who have already made a positive impact in their careers. In addition to recognition and publicity, there will be an array of prizes and opportunities on offer to the top entries, worth thousands of pounds. Power Players will open to entries in late spring. Electrical Review | April 2017
Recolight supports government’s proposed 2017 UK lamp recycling target Defra has today proposed a 2017 lamp collection target for the UK of 6009 tonnes. They have said they would particularly welcome evidence from stakeholders to support or indicate if an alternative target may be appropriate. Every year, the government consults on WEEE collection targets, prior to finalising them at the end of March. Once they are set, each WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme receives a share of the target, based on the market share of its members in the prior year. The proposed 2017 target is 13% lower than the 2016 target of 6882 tonnes, and 2% lower than the actual tonnage collected. Commenting on the proposed target, Recolight chief executive Nigel Harvey said: “In most WEEE categories, the target increases each year. However, lamps buck the trend. Given the material movement in new product sales towards lamp and luminaire LED technologies, it is not surprising that waste lamp collections are
reducing. LED lamps currently only account for around 1% of the total waste lamp tonnage. Accordingly, we think the proposed target is broadly correct.” We have probably now reached ‘Peak lamp WEEE’. Tonnages collected are likely to decline in future years as the shift from fluorescent to LED luminaires accelerates. This will probably only reverse when LED lamps reach end of life in larger numbers.”
The pathway to a brighter future with the Electrical Industries Charity The Electrical Industries Charity is creating a pathway to a better future for the Northcott family with their Pensioner Support Programme. Alan and Linda Northcott, are in their 60’s and are caring for their son. Alan worked in electronics testing and assembly but was forced to give up work when caring for his son became challenging, and his wife Linda was unable to manage alone. Their son Nicky, aged 38, has severe learning disabilities. He was born profoundly deaf, has no speech, is epileptic, severely autistic and was recently diagnosed with a blood complaint which further complicated his care. Alan and Linda are not in good health themselves as they suffer from high blood pressure, angina and arthritis. They are unable to have holidays alone as their son cannot be left alone with strangers. To help the elderly couple with a change of scenery and to recharge their batteries the Charity granted a respite break for the family that had facilities to accommodate Nicky with
his condition. The help from the Charity has given the family a break they needed to keep going. With its Pensioner Support Programme, the Charity assists 69% of people who are over 55 years of age, with most of this support directed at three primary care areas: financial and debt; household repairs and essential items; and mobility and disability support. The Northcott family is one of many examples that outline the advantages of being part of the Charity’s Programme because you never know what circumstances you could be facing in later life. Managing Director, Tessa Ogle said: “The Electrical Industries Charity is supporting our colleagues with a broad range of issues, and the Northcott family is one of many excellent examples that outline the benefits of being part of the Pensioner Support Programme which gives access to essential support at the time of need.” For further information, please contact Vicky Gray: vicky.gray@electricalcharity.org
NEWS | 5
Addressing digital skills shortage in industrial sector scenario to be configured within a dedicated computer networking laboratory at the university,” said Neville Palmer, senior lecturer in communications engineering at Southampton Solent University. “The partnership with Westermo will play an important role in diversifying the education and possible career paths of our students. Previously, our focus has been mainly on data communications technology within office environments, but the experience gained with Westermo’s industrial technology will ensure that graduates are better equipped to handle roles within industrial environments.” Antony Lane is one of the university’s computer network management graduates who is already working in the industrial data communications field, as
Westermo and Southampton Solent University have teamed up to help address the digital skills shortage affecting the UK industrial and manufacturing sector by introducing students to data communications technology that will be used to support the widespread applications of the industrial internet of things (IIoT). Westermo has provided the university’s computer networking department with a range of data communications technology, enabling students to broaden the scope of their studies by focusing on the design and implementation of industrial networks. Equipment that is used to create resilient, reliable and secure networks in harsh industrial environments will help undergraduates learn how the latest IIoT technology is being deployed in railway, offshore oil and gas, and utility applications. “There is currently a skills and digital expertise shortage within the UK industrial and manufacturing sector,” said Alan Bollard, managing director of Westermo Data Communications. “The increased connectivity and data delivery made possible by the IIoT is a game-changer across many industries in terms of operational improvements, but it places greater demands on industrial networking infrastructure. By introducing students to networking technology specific to industrial applications, we hope to highlight some exciting new career options and steer talented young people towards the industrial sector.” Westermo specialises in the design and
manufacture of industrial networking equipment for use in demanding environments. It has supplied the university with networking equipment including industrial Ethernet extenders and managed Ethernet switches with routing functionality. The equipment enables students from within the university’s computer networking courses to develop solutions for typical industrial networking-related problems based on real-life installations provided by Westermo. “The equipment donated by Westermo enables a complete industrial networking
a technical support engineer at Westermo. “The idea behind the lab exercises is to assist the students in thinking as industrial network engineers rather than as commercial network engineers,” Lane said. “With their ‘industrial hat’ on, they need to think about why products need to last for extended periods of time without failure and why they are manufactured differently. The students are in the process of completing a test to become Westermo certified engineers. This knowledge and qualification can assist their employability prospects over the coming months – something that has been underlying this project from the beginning.”
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6 | NEWS
Aggreko publishes free Select hosts successful seminars on new Project guide to contingency Bank Account rules planning Aggreko has published a free planning guide to help prepare for grid blackouts or power equipment failures in the rail industry. The eGuide, Contingency Planning for Power Failure in the Rail Sector, sets out how to create an effective back-up power strategy to cover all eventualities – from sharp temperature drops to power shortages or telecommunications failure. It provides eight tips to ensure robust planning for back-up temporary power to ensure business continuity and staff and passenger safety. The guide covers how to: • Build sufficient operational detail into a contingency plan • Conduct a site survey for a list of critical power and temperature control equipment • Work out the fastest installation plan • Prevent failures of equipment, including fuel needs • Specify the correct equipment for each application • Check supplier’s accreditations and environmental standards • Ensure proper coordination and communication Aggreko’s UK rail division is RISQS accredited and provides 24/7 nationwide service and mobile power and temperature control technologies from 18 locations throughout the UK and Ireland. Download the Contingency Planning for Power Failure in the Rail Sector guide: http://content.aggreko.co.uk/rail-disaster-recovery-plan.
Electrical Review | April 2017
Select, the trade association for the electro-mechanical industry in Scotland hosted a series of seminars on Wednesday, 22 February on the advantages conferred to the sector by the recent introduction of Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) by the Scottish government. After extensive lobbying last year by a number of organisations including Select, PBAs are now a tender requirement for all building projects worth over £4.1 million, and over £10m for all civil engineering projects. Payments for sub-contractors and suppliers are now ring-fenced, as a means of protecting them from upstream insolvency and other abuses, particularly the perennial concern of late payment. The seminars, run by the Specialist Engineering Contract Group Scotland (SEC Group Scotland) at Select’s Edinburgh offices, were well attended, with nearly 50 delegates present to hear speakers cover PBAs from a variety of perspectives including those of clients, the Scottish government and bankers. A topic of particular interest was the
Scottish Building Contract Committee (SBCC) Standard Form and how it is affected by PBAs. This seminar was convened by Ann O’Connell, chair of drafting for SBCC. Other speakers included the SEC Group Scotland Chair, Eddie Myles, the Scottish government’s principal construction adviser, Colin Judge and the chief executive of the SEC Group, Professor Rudi Klein. Alan Wilson, Select’s head of membership and communications, said: “The main benefit of PBAs, apart from assured payment and protections if a main contractor goes into administration, will be greater transparency within the payment chain”. Newell McGuiness, of Select, said: “I was more than happy to host these seminars. With the SEC Group, Select has been a leading exponent of PBAs as a means of addressing an issue which was detrimental to procurement in Scotland as a whole” Select‘s member companies account for over 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland.
8 | GOSSAGE
GOSSAGE Burning question “Is it sacrilegious to keep churchgoers warm in their pews by using heat from cremated bodies?’” Allan Vest of the Danish national Crematorium Trade Association asked government ministers at hearings held in Copenhagen. “We do not think so. Forty thousand Danes are cremated each year, and the temperatures of the ovens reaches 1000 degrees C. “So, instead of letting all that energy escape into the atmosphere, why not use it in a positive way? We could easily pump the heat to nearby church buildings. We could even start selling it, thereby reducing the city’s fuel bills.” Ole Hartling of the Danish National Council of Elders responded sympathetically.” We do not feel re-using the heat from cremated bodies involves any significant ethical problems. We have noted the positive environmental aspects. And we do not believe that corpses are being defiled in any way, because they are already incinerated by the time the heat is used.” You will be delighted to gather that the Danish minister for ecclesiastical affairs, Bertel Haarder , has declared himself to be “quite pleased with the National Council of Elders’ reaction.” Consequently he has undertaken to seek to relax the rules governing crematoria. Could this happen here in Britain? A bit difficult to believe so. Apart from anything else, we do not have any Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs at all to make such decisions.
Wooden heart, wooden head The Times newspaper caused quite a stir by splashing across its front page trenchant criticism of the present Government policy providing subsidies for biomass. The respected think tank at Chatham House had published a detailed report this week excoriating the way that financial support for biomass was available, however unecologically sourced it was. Its research, led by Duncan Brack, found that claims of biomass being “zero carbon” should mostly be viewed as deeply flawed: He concluded that while the use of waste biomass can in some cases save carbon, much of the biomass obtained from other sources may well not. The Times decided to ignore the important caveats about waste biomass being completely legit. Instead it maintained that the entire subsidy of £400m a year must be wasted. And that the person most to blame was Chris Huhne. He had been the Liberal Democrat energy secretary at the start of the coalition government, when the concept had first been considered, The fact that it is now approaching five years since he left office, and that any culpability should surely be shared with his (mostly Conservative), successors was quietly ignored. So even more surprisingly played down was the past role of the report’s author, Duncan Brack. That is inexplicable. Because during the entire time that Mr Huhne was the energy secretary, who was his senior political advisor dealing with matters ecological? Why, none other than Duncan Brack himself.
Broken promises The Conservative MP, Greg Clark, is the present energy secretary. He also covers business, and industrial strategy within his mammoth department. Eight years ago he was appointed as the shadow secretary of state, covering just energy and climate change. Shortly after I reported in this column the answer he gave at a Q & A session covering his brief. He had expressed his support for auctioning permits/allowances under the EU’s emissions trading scheme. He had expressed concern at the way higher fuel prices were causing problems for the poorest in society. So, he was asked, why not take a portion of the billions due to be raised by auctioning permits under the EU trading scheme, and dedicate the money to improving the homes of the fuel poor? Oh no, he replied, we Conservatives don’t believe in ring-fencing government income for specific causes. That money will go into the Treasury. Where it may-or may not – be spent on anything even vaguely energy-related. Then he checked himself. There is one exception, he conceded. A Conservative government will arrange for large parts of the auction revenues to go to relevant companies, in order to fund Carbon Capture and Storage projects. Within twelve months, they were in government. No such money was made available under the coalition. Perhaps it was those beastly LibDems who blocked its dispersal? But the Conservatives have been in sole charge since May 2015. And Clark is now in charge of energy policy. So, what exactly happened to that one exception to the ‘no ring-fencing rule’? That really should be being kept. And particularly as once Brexit is a fact, there will be probably no further UK involvement with the European emissions trading scheme – and no further access to auction money to distribute.
Always jam tomorrow There have been understandably loud cries of anguish at the implications of quitting Euratom as part of Brexit. Some arguments stand up better than others. Amongst the least impressive is the pleading from the former head of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Prof. Brian Cowley, about the implications for research nuclear fusion, which seeks to create nuclear power by joining atomic nuclei, rather than splitting atoms. He complains “leaving Euratom imperils an extension to the U.K.’s Joint European Torus, or JET project, at Culham, near Oxford, “the only place in the world where you can do fusion research” It is “one of the jewels of great British research”. That may be so. But, when Cowley, now President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford goes on to express the fond hope that the “first reactors producing electricity from nuclear fusion could be up and running by the middle of the century”, most will begin to lose enthusiasm for such a dilettante’s timetable. I still recall that back in 1967 the old Ministry of Power apologising for the absence of productive results after twenty years of fusion research. Then the promise was that if we kept throwing millions at it, results would be with us by 2000 at the latest. We are still waiting. But for a further thirty years? Patience really is not inexhaustible. Electrical Review | April 2017
12 | CABLE MANAGEMENT
Compliance, quality and cost management Tim Brown, national sales manager at cable management specialist, Unitrunk, discusses some of the insights from the company’s CPD presentation surrounding FRPSOLDQFH DQG VSHFLÀFDWLRQ EHVW SUDFWLFH compliance and installation integrity with a specification that meets the individual needs of each scheme.
NAVIGATING COMPLIANCE
T
hroughout my career one of the biggest challenges in selling cable management has always been that so many electrical industry professionals see it as a generic product. Worse still, some even overlook the technical elements of specification that should be considered for specific applications, which could potentially threaten the life cycle of the installation. That’s why training through CPDs is so important; ensuring an excellent knowledge base from specification through to installation to raise standards of durability,
Electrical Review | April 2017
It’s not surprising that electrical professionals are not always familiar with all the compliance requirements for cable management systems because the compliance landscape is complex. However, the standards we use exist to underpin safety and longevity, so due diligence when assessing the compliance of a cable management system is vital to the integrity of the finished installation. As part of the Construction Products Directive (CPD), CE marking is necessary for all cable management systems to the relevant BS standards, as outlined in the table below: In addition to these mandatory standards, it is also advisable to specify a cable management system that has been manufactured to the highest quality assurance standards in an ISO 9001-2008 accredited production facility. Additional approvals, such as London Underground (LUL) also provide confirmation that the chosen cable management system is safe and robust, particularly with reference to fire protection. Cable ladder and tray systems intended for the support and accommodation of cables and any other electrical equipment in electrical /or communication systems installations must comply with the IEC 61537 international standard. This involves a wide array of testing from the manufacturer. The results of these tests must be available to specifiers and installers as part of selection process but the scale and scope of the tests involved may depend on project-specific criteria. Tests included in IEC 61537 compliance may include load testing for the
containment and the bracket, including point load and SWL (safe working load) and flex testing of brackets under load. Corrosion resistance of the fabrication material may also need to be tested along with DIN 4102-2 E90 fire resistance. Additional testing, which does not form part of the requirements of IEC 61537,can provide useful information into the performance characteristics of cable management products. Short circuit testing provides visual evidence of how the system performs under fault conditions and shock testing visually indicates the level of impact, vibration and distortion the product will cope with. The suitability of the fixing method used will influence the performance of both the cable management and the brackets during these tests, highlighting once again the importance of testing a complete system.
EARLY ENGAGEMENT While misconceptions of cable management as a generic product can compromise specification and installation integrity, they can also result in overspecification, which is equally problematic and can lead to wasted materials and lost value engineering opportunities. As an example of the importance of specifying the right product for the needs of the project, let’s focus on channel, which is often perceived as the most generic cable management item of all. The cross section and profile is crucial to the performance of the product and must comply with the requirements of BS6946. Failure to do so can dramatically reduce the effectiveness of quick fit tray-to-channel or basket-tochannel products . Early engagement with the cable management manufacturer during specification of a project can often help to avoid oversights in quality and compliance
14 | CABLE MANAGEMENT
like this, facilitating the use of faster install products, such as the RIS (Rapid Installation Systems) range of re-engineered cable management solutions from Unitrunk. Moreover, early engagement can also help the specifier to value engineer the installation to reduce material costs and installation times, based on credible test data. For example, Unitrunk’s 60/300 EasyConnect RIS cable basket can carry 58kg/m at 1500mm fixing centres. Consequently, rather than fixing the basket at 1200mm centres for a 1000m run of containment (as many specifications would advise), we would suggest installation at 1500mm centres. This reduces the number of brackets required per 1000m from 833 to 667. If we assume that each bracket is installed at a cost of £10 for materials and 20 minutes of labour (@£30/hour), equating to an installed cost of £20/bracket, this simple change of specification will save around £3,320 across the 166 brackets removed from the specification, representing a saving of £3.32 per metre! Engagement with the cable management manufacturer during the specification and installation design process can also help to identify practical steps that can be taken to aid ease of installation, thereby improving standards of performance, while reducing labour costs on site. For example, both pendant and cantilever brackets allow the cable management and the cables to be installed more quickly, with no obstructions to impede the installation. The manufacturer may also be able to help the specifier or installer to select the most appropriate size of cable tray or basket for their needs by considering the installation challenges holistically, rather than focusing on loading requirements and redundant capacity alone. For example, cable basket can be formed to match the bending radius of the cable and the manufacturer can advise on specifying less material and fewer brackets, resulting in easier co-ordination by using fewer components, which may also reduce installation costs.
INTERROGATING THE BRIEF Early engagement with the cable management manufacturer can help to ensure that the right type, finish and detailed configuration of cable management Electrical Review | April 2017
is specified to meet the performance requirements, installation challenges and design criteria of the project. As part of a value engineering approach that combines performance with installation efficiency, the specifier should interrogate the usual assumptions about what may be required. Questions should include whether cable ladder can be substituted for cable tray or basket and whether cable tray can be switched to basket. It may also be possible for trunking and conduit to be substituted for basket, and it might be possible to reduce the amount of containment needed by using multi-compartment solutions. A recent Unitrunk project involving the specification for a high tech manufacturing environment demonstrates the value of early engagement in developing the specification to address the performance and design goals of the scheme. Here, rod and channel trapeze brackets had been specified at 1200mm centres but we revised the specification so that the ladder system became the bracket and containment and the trapeze components were replaced by suspension wire. By doing this we were able to achieve the minimalist aesthetic the client wanted while satisfying the consultant’s performance criteria and helping the contractor to save 20% on both materials and labour as compared to the original specification. Manufacturers’ advice on selecting the
correct finish for the specific installation environment can also be invaluable. While standard pre-galvanised cable management is sufficiently robust for most indoor installations, specialist environments with increased risk of corrosion from humidity or contaminants, outdoor installations, coastal locations and specialist considerations such as the risk of zinc whiskers in data centre installations, may require more robust materials. The British Galvanisers’ corrosion map of the UK can provide general guidance on corrosion risk for specifiers but detailed discussions with the manufacturer will ensure a full understanding of the risk factors.
LEARNING THROUGH BIM As M&E consultants continue to lead the construction sector in embracing BIM and the design methodologies that it involves, manufacturers are also feeding into the drive for best practice design methodologies by ensuring suitable data is available in BIM design software. The 3D visualisation facilitated by BIM enables design teams to fully manipulate cable management layouts on screen to develop the optimum specification configuration before the project reaches site. As we move forward, therefore, engagement, collaboration and product data will become embedded in the specification process, driving more efficient use of materials and labour while enhancing cable management performance.
16 | TECHNOLOGY TO MARKET
Putting the rocket in to Stephenson Quarter installation The birthplace of the legendary Stephenson’s Rocket is being reborn as the Stephenson Quarter. Tim Brown, national sales manager at cable management specialist Unitrunk, reveals how Unitrunk’s cable management solutions have achieved VLJQLÀFDQW WLPH VDYLQJV IRU WKH FRQVWUXFWLRQ WHDP DW WKH Quarter’s boiler shop refurbishment
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t’s been dubbed Newcastle’s coolest new development and one that is changing the face of the city. Sitting behind Central Station, an area which was once filled with engineering workshops has quietly been reborn – now known as the Stephenson Quarter. Unitrunk’s innovative cable management infrastructure is playing its part in bringing new life to one of the historic buildings which gave birth to Stephenson’s Rocket. Once home to Robert Stephenson and Co. Locomotive Works where Stephenson’s Rocket was built in 1829, the centre is the heart of a public-private partnership between Newcastle City Council and developer the Clouston Group. From its landmark hotel, to state-of-the-art office space, plush apartments and events spaces, it is hoped the Stephenson Quarter will generate £175 million a year for the region’s economy as well as helping to support 3,750 jobs. The South Street phase of the development sees the restoration of listed Robert Stephenson and Co. Locomotive Works including the Pattern Shop, Boiler Shop and Coppersmith Shop to create new studios, restaurant, events and retail space. Rich in engineering history and architectural interest, the Grade II* listed Boiler Shop has proved a popular events space - recent years have seen it attract up to 3,000 people to its food and music events, including the monthly Boiler Shop Steamer, Urban Night Feast and the Eat festivals. Those events were paused this year while Clouston Group enlisted contractors to refurbish the building, both inside and out. Designed by architect Xsite and delivered by main contractor Galliford Try, the refurbished Boiler Shop is a key part Electrical Review | April 2017
of the South Street scheme. It will house a wide range of culture and arts events, with a 500-capacity main shop floor and 60-capacity mezzanine, as well as an outdoor area. A set of pods below the mezzanine provide toilets, kitchen, storage and bar facilities to support events. The £700,000 building services design and installation is being handled by Boldonbased Opus Building Services. Among the electrical services is full colour-change LED feature lighting to highlight the building’s historic pitched roof. “The LED lamps can all be controlled by the events manager by iPad, so it’s very easy to set up and match any colour to suit the client,” explains Kevin Pedley, project manager at Opus Building Services. The contractor has also installed track lighting up in the mezzanine. External lighting is provided by a combination of miniature LED downlights recessed into the window sills and larger, floor-mounted ground lights to light up columns. Opus has turned to Unitrunk for its innovative cable management solutions. “We were able to get everything we need from a single supplier, which was important to us,” says Pedley. The Boiler Shop boasts both surface trunking for lighting and power circuits at high level and a unique approach to floor trunking that combines two different approaches. Opus is installing a combination of Unitrunk’s Underfloor (In-Screed) trunking system for power and data, with a bespoke exposed floor trunking system for temporary AV cabling. Unitrunk has worked in tandem with Opus Building Services to develop a system which combines the two approaches to cable containment. “We’ve married Unitrunk’s In-Screed underfloor trunking with exposed chequer plate containment,
delivering a bespoke solution to meet the client’s desire for an industrial aesthetic for the exposed trunking,” explains Pedley. “Valuable time savings have been achieved for the construction team, with Unitrunk’s raised collars on the In-Screed trunking system providing a level for the concrete pour when laying the floor.” The chequer plate trunking has been hotdip galvanised to give the rough, industrial feel desired by the client. Typically, Unitrunk would use mild steel with a painted finish for this type of containment. This is the first time that we’ve done it this way to give the trunking an industrial aesthetic. The striking chequer plate trunking will allow portable equipment used by event teams, touring companies and bands using the Boiler Shop to easily set up, with floor boxes providing access and no trailing cables across the floor for temporary events. “The installation went very well and the client is extremely happy with it,” reports Pedley. “We didn’t want to use different manufacturers: this way the containment all matches up and falls in line with the client’s requirements.” The Stephenson Quarter is springing up fast. The first phase was completed when the Crowne Plaza Hotel opened last year, shortly followed by The Rocket office scheme and now the refurbished Boiler Shop. Stephenson’s former works are rapidly taking shape as a home for 21st century innovations.
18 | ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
The future is BIM
M
arco can now offer its uPVC trunking and Steel Wire Cable Tray products as downloadable BIM objects. The object library downloads contain all of Marco’s products within those ranges ultimately making installation easier for the end user by having everything available in one single download.
Features include: ONE FOR ALL Marco’s BIM object files have been curated into one easy downloadable file. No more searching for product- by-product downloads.
REVIT COMPATIBLE To those not familiar with BIM, BIM is a fast growing initiative backed by UK government to establish new standards within the UK’s construction industry. The BIM process is designed to involve all parties during the design and management phases of a project by enabling contractors and designers to list all objects required for the build from a digital model. The purpose of the digital model is to reduce on-site errors during the physical build process, thus saving contractors and designers time and money.
Marco’s BIM objects are intended for use with Autodesk’s REVIT 2015 software, chosen specifically due to its popularity with industry professionals.
QUICK & EASY QUOTATION Marco’s BIM downloads allow users to produce an automatic bill of quantities, ensuring an easier and quicker quote turnaround.
MARCO CONTACT DETAILS As leading UK manufacturers, Marco is constantly looking for ways to meet customers’ changing and evolving needs. BIM has seen a growth in demand from contractors working on larger projects where Marco’s products are increasingly specified. Marco’s BIM downloads are unique, providing an entire range of products in a single download, so no extra searching for specific products, or downloading objects on a product-by-product basis, and most importantly, making the whole process easier for the end user.
Marco’s BIM downloads come with all relevant staff contact details built in helping you get the most of each download.
INSTALLATION GUIDES A how-to-guide is included with both of Marco BIM downloads. Additionally, if further support is required, Marco’s staff is always on hand to help
CONFIGURABLE Jeff Kerridge, Sales Manager of Marco Cable Management explained: “The Marco download is a completely custom built plug-in that works seamlessly within Autodesk Revit 2015, currently the industry’s most popular software platform for architectural projects”. Trunking isn’t included in Revit by default so the benefit of Marco’s BIM trunking family is that the digital trunking objects appear as a new product type, and can be used to easily draw proposed containment routes. The customer will benefit by being able to access the complete Marco product family. We’ve done this to make things as easy as possible for our customers. Once Marco’s BIM files are installed you have everything required to meet all your cable containment needs.” Electrical Review | April 2017
Marco’s BIM objects allow for a huge amount of configurability. Included in the download are accessories, options for DDA compliance, screening dividers and much more.
POINT & CLICK INSTALLATION Users can draw their containment routes in model with ease, which is then rendered out as the finished product. Accessories such as internal and external bends are automatically added along the route. Jeff continued: “As far as we are aware, Marco is the only current manufacturer of cable management systems with a BIM download application that has been developed to this extent. Our files have been curated into two easy to downloads, one containing uPVC and a second containing steel wire cable tray making it incredibly simple for the end user.
20 | PGTD
Dealing with the data centre’s appetite for power The cost of powering a data centre continues to be a large and growing concern for operators. Although the balance sheet can justify the cost of power consumed to perform useful work that generates revenue, a large amount of power is lost WKURXJK HOHFWULFDO LQHIÀ FLHQF\ ,W FDQ EH IHOW LQ WKH KHDW UDGLDWHG E\ VHUYHUV DQG power modules, and heard in the buzz of air-conditioning or other cooling systems. 0RUH LPSRUWDQWO\ LW LV SHUFHLYHG DV D À QDQFLDO EXUGHQ WKDW PXVW EH PLQLPLVHG %RE Cantrell, senior application engineer, Ericsson Power Modules, explains
O
ne area where improvements can be achieved is in the supply of power to the data centre’s servers. Today even a single server card can consume over 1kW. In a large data centre, which may contain hundreds of racks, power is supplied to the servers through a network of power modules that begins with a bulk AC/DC supply powered from the AC line provided by the utility company. This usually charges a bank of back-up batteries as part of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that may provide a high-voltage DC output, typically 380V, for distributing power to the data centre’s server racks. Alternatively, the UPS may contain an inverter that generates a 240V or 120V AC output for distribution to the racks. Depending on the distribution strategy (AC or high-voltage DC), servers may contain an AC/DC power supply or DC/DC converter to provide a local 48V DC isolated power bus. An additional intermediate bus converter is often used to generate a semi-regulated 12V bus to power point-of-load (POL) DC/DC converters (Figure 1). A single server can contain several POL converters, positioned close to the processors and associated components such as application-speciďŹ c integrated circuits (ASICs) or ďŹ eld-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In the future, some of the POL converters may be powered directly from the 48V DC bus – more of this later. If the total efďŹ ciency of the power distribution network is 80–90%, then more than 10% of the power supplied by the utility (and paid for by the data-centre owner) is dissipated as heat by these power modules. This unwanted heat must be Electrical Review | April 2017
Voltage converters of a data-centre distributed power supply
removed to ensure that the environment remains at a stable temperature within the speciďŹ ed operating range, which is chosen to ensure adequate system reliability. For many data centres this is 20–22°C, which is usually maintained by air-conditioning, sometimes assisted by extra chillers. Another approach taken by some operators is to choose locations in cold, northern climates when building new data centres, so that the cooler outdoor ambient air can be used for cooling at a lower cost. Considering the combined cost of powerconverter losses and the power to run the cooling system, a signiďŹ cant reduction in the utility bill could be achieved if the overall power supply efďŹ ciency could be improved by just a few points. If all data centres worldwide were to increase efďŹ ciency by just 1%, electricity savings alone would equal nearly one billion euros.
THE TRANSITION TO DIGITAL POWER Conventional switched-mode power converters tend to reach a peak of efďŹ ciency just below their maximum load. The efďŹ ciency is slightly reduced closer to maximum load, but is signiďŹ cantly reduced at lower loads. These variations occur because the power supply’s behaviour is determined by components such as capacitors of ďŹ xed value. These are chosen to ensure that the feedback remains stable across a wide range of operating conditions, but cannot ensure uniform efďŹ ciency across the load range. The advent of digital power now offers a solution to overcome this limitation. Unlike conventional analogue power supplies, digital power supply characteristics are determined by ďŹ rmware. The values of the registers that govern the operating parameters can be changed more quickly
22 | PGTD
and easily compared to using components such as capacitors that have fixed values. Early adopters of digital power have taken advantage of its enhanced flexibility to streamline testing and set-up, and to leverage economies of scale by creating platform power supplies that can be configured for a variety of applications or different end-user requirements or operating conditions, simply by loading different configuration files. Digital power functionalities can also help designers deal with the complexity of modern power distribution, such as the large number of different voltage rails required for multicore processors or FPGAs, and can respond to changes in line and load conditions as network traffic demand fluctuates. Digital power modules are usually adjusted by a central controller, which communicates with the module over a power management bus (PMBus) connection as illustrated in Figure 2. PMBus is an industry standard developed from the system management bus (SMBus) specification, and defines a physical connection and protocol for exchanging data between power modules. In addition, digital power supplies can be stabilized using fewer on-board capacitors, which enables smaller power modules thereby liberating extra board real estate to host greater processing power and hence offer more, faster, and better services for end users.
THE NEXT STEP: SOFTWARE-DEFINED POWER Software-defined power introduces realtime adaptability to digital power supplies. In a software-defined power architecture (SDPA), a software application hosted on the central controller takes over, adjusting the power supply in real time in response to changes in load. It can also compensate for the effects of slower variations, such as component ageing. Functionalities made possible by SDPA include dynamic bus voltage (DBV) adjustment, which optimises bus voltages as load conditions change, and adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) that responds to changes in the workload of individual processors to minimise power consumption. Software-defined power is an emerging technology, and rapid developments are expected that will drive further increases in overall power-supply efficiency, as well as performance improvements such Electrical Review | April 2017
Digital power modules controlled by instructions delivered across PMBus connection
as tighter voltage regulation and faster transient response.
FUTURE TRENDS: SAVING POWER AND BOARD SPACE Alongside changes in the way power modules are controlled, a new direct conversion strategy that leverages the latest advances in converter topologies and power semiconductors is also attracting the attention of power-system designers. Modules designed to be positioned at the point of load and convert directly from a higher DC bus voltage such as 48V to a voltage like 1.0V to power the latest processor cores can help designers reduce the number of intermediate converters in any given system, and thereby further optimise energy efficiency and reduce power dissipation. Direct conversion also typically should reduce the total board surface area occupied by the power solution, by allowing smaller modules and fewer power converters. In addition, distributing power at four-times higher voltage dramatically reduces i2R losses in conductors such as cables and PCB traces.
SECURING MARKET ACCEPTANCE The data-centre industry is starting to adopt innovations such as digital power and software-defined power. The work of the AMP Group, which establishes comprehensive industry standards that allow interoperability between power modules from its three member manufacturers, gives equipment buyers the assurance of a second-
source option. Often, in the past, pioneers of new power technologies have sought to captivate customers by offering a new but proprietary solution. This type of approach has proved unsuccessful, as data-centre owners have historically placed higher value on reliable and consistent supply of modules, and highly competitive pricing. By making important new modules in its digital power line-up available within the AMP framework, Ericsson is helping system designers to take advantage of the latest advances in power supplies, with complete confidence in the stability of supply and pricing throughout the lifetime of the equipment.
CONCLUSION Power consumption has become a major concern for data-centre owners and operators, who are keen to evaluate which OEMs can deliver the most efficient solutions. Gaining some insight into how power is distributed to the hardworking computer servers can help with understanding how design improvements here can contribute to better overall efficiency, while at the same time supporting increased computer performance. Digital power leading to software-defined power, as well as other advances such as direct 48V-toPOL conversion, continue to bring new and greater opportunities to raise system energy efficiency and contribute towards controlling overall data-centre operating costs.
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24 | DRIVES AND CONTROLS
Time to say goodbye? A motor control centre (MCC) sits at the heart of an industrial plant. If well maintained, an MCC can last for decades, but despite their sturdiness, even the most reliable MCCs have to be retired at some point. Here, Pat McLaughlin, operations director of Boulting Group, explains the early warning signs that an MCC needs replacing that identify discoloured or burned out components, to more complex investigations using an infrared camera to analyse electrical equipment or bus bars and to highlight hot spots. Engineers should also pay particular attention to the cables and connectors of the MCC, as these tend to degrade relatively quickly. Checks should also cover the running currents and shielding of the MCC, to ensure employees cannot access live components.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
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here are several reasons for replacing an MCC, but the most common ones include obsolescence, incompatibility with new legislation or the condition of the MCC deteriorating. Technological advancements that allow the design of intelligent, more efficient MCCs are another reason why companies sometimes opt for an upgrade. Many engineers will wait until an MCC breaks down completely before commissioning a replacement, but best practice dictates that through proactive maintenance and regular checks, plant managers and maintenance engineers can identify the early warning signs of a failure and better plan for the upgrade. The potential defects discussed below are what maintenance engineers should look for when performing regular MCC checks. These audits should take place at least twice a year and log faults so that the information can be used retrospectively to Electrical Review | April 2017
better understand the condition of an MCC and predict potential risks.
MECHANICAL DEFECTS A motor control centre has several electro mechanical components that are particularly susceptible to failure. These include the filters and fans, which need to be cleaned and checked regularly because they provide adequate air ventilation within the MCC. Poor ventilation can easily lead to overheating and the failure of critical components. Visual checks should also cover whether the relevant warning labels are in place before performing maintenance on an MCC, so that maintenance engineers are not put in any danger during these audits.
ELECTRICAL FAULTS Maintenance engineers can employ several methods to check electrical equipment. These vary from simple visual checks
MCCs, particularly ones that have been in operation for a long time, can become health and safety hazards. Engineers were not as safety conscious back in the 80s or 90s as they are today, so there is a good chance that any MCC that is a couple of decades old could be revisited to ensure it doesn’t pose any health and safety risks. For example, Boulting Group engineers recently helped a utilities company replace an MCC that had been in operation for 43 years. Because of its age, the condition of the MCC had deteriorated resulting in some component failure and potentially live and, possibly dangerous to maintenance staff.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE The well-known BS EN 61439-2 standard, which came into play on November 1, 2014, states that the enclosure of an MCC should fit the “type and degree of protection suitable for the intended application.” Best practice dictates that the enclosure should provide protection for equipment against external influences from any accessible direction and against direct contact, meaning that an ingress protection of at least IP2X is required. Older MCCs may not have been built to this standard, so it’s important to check that your equipment is compatible with the latest regulations. Another critical design verification
26 | DRIVES AND CONTROLS
introduced by BS EN 61439-2 refers to the temperature rise limits of motor control centres. Temperature rise is essential to the reliability and long service capability of an MCC, because excessive temperatures result in the premature ageing and failure of components and insulation. The introduction of the new standard means that manufacturers must verify that each circuit within the assembly can individually carry its rated current. If you are considering purchasing a new MCC, it’s important to make sure that it complies with BS EN 61439. This is the responsibility of the MCC manufacturer, but the client should also be aware of the requirements and the benefits of the new standard.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Because MCCs often operate in demanding environments, there are certain environmental factors that can affect the Electrical Review | April 2017
equipment and shorten its operational life. Such factors include dust, moisture and steam, all of which can be very corrosive and damage bus bars or electrical equipment. Similarly, because MCCs are often tucked away in the depths of a building, there is the danger of vermin damaging cables. Maintenance engineers need to be aware of these potentially harmful environmental forces and perform the relevant checks periodically. Although some of these variables — such as moisture or dust — can’t be eliminated, they can be mitigated and engineers can monitor sensitive components more closely.
NEW TECH More often than ever, companies are deciding to change or upgrade their MCCs to take advantage of the benefits that new technologies offer. One common upgrade involves replacing conventional
starters with variable speed drives (VSDs) and adapting the MCC to accommodate this change. Since a VSD can reduce the energy consumption of a motor by as much as 60 per cent, this type of upgrade helps companies make significant energy and cost savings in the long term. Intelligent MCCs also feature remote controls and better data collection capabilities, which can be used for condition monitoring and preventative maintenance. In turn, this reduces maintenance and breakdown costs in the long run and helps companies minimise overall operational costs and enhance productivity. Regardless of the age of your motor control centre, preventative maintenance is the key to making sure it performs well for longer. After all, you wouldn’t skip an MOT on your car, so why would you pay any less attention to the motor control centre that lies at the heart of your industrial plant?
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28 | ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Power and Prestige: 1 and 2 New Ludgate
F
G Wilson generator sets are often found in some of London’s most prestigious buildings. One of them, 1 and 2 New Ludgate, a new development by Land Securities, the largest commercial property company in the UK and listed in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 companies, was named as The City of London Building of the Year 2016 and its architects are currently shortlisted for Architect of the Year. A £260 million development, New Ludgate is made up of two distinct buildings united by a new public piazza, completely transforming an area which had been neglected and under-used. The buildings include more than 355,000 square feet of office accommodation and 26,800 square feet of restaurant and retail facilities. Bells Power, who have represented FG Wilson as a dealer for 30 years, initially engaged with design consultant Waterman Building Services in 2010, however due to economic uncertainty, the project
Electrical Review | April 2017
was put on hold, then restarted in 2013. Keeping their project team in place, Bells Power were able to respond quickly and deliver a power package of six FG Wilson generator sets and PLCs across both buildings within a year, from order to commissioning. The brief for 1 New Ludgate was to supply, install and commission three generator sets: two P1700P1 for tenants and one P800P1 for life safety at basement level B1. The 1700 kVA sets are remotely cooled with roof DACs and Bells Power had responsibility for the installation and acoustic and ventilation systems. The acoustic requirement was 65 dB(A) at 1 metre and catalysts were installed on each set for emissions. Bells Power installed bulk storage fuel systems: 72 hours (tenants) and 24 hours (life safety), together with associated fuel control and pipework systems. A full hot / standby Allen Bradley PLC system with outstations at each switchboard was installed to control the mains operation of the building and cover any potential power scenario. Power requirements for 2 New Ludgate involved the supply, installation and commissioning of three further generator sets: two P2000P1 for tenants at Basement Level B1 and one P800P1 for life safety within an acoustic enclosure at roof level. Speaking about the project, James Bell, Managing Director of Bells Power said: “The scale of this project was huge, with both buildings being worked on at the same time. The main contractor, Skanska, was committed to a very ambitious programme, which meant working at night and through weekends on commissioning and IST activities. Both buildings are now fully occupied, testament to the resilient infrastructure provided. We have since maintained a close working with Land Securities and have been selected for further projects: One New Street Square and Nova, Victoria. We’re now also a preferred supplier with Waterman’s and have since won numerous more projects with Skanksa.” Gary Tozer, Principal Electrical Engineer at Waterman Building Services said: “Bells Power have given us excellent support for the design of the generator installation at Land Securities’ projects 1 and 2 New Ludgate. They’ve a wealth of experience in delivering complex turnkey generator installation and this means they really understand the client’s requirements.” To find out more about FG Wilson and Bells Power, visit www.fgwilson.com and www.bellspower.co.uk
www.electricalreview.co.uk
30 | INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS
Building automation – a business opportunity not to miss out on Supplier of solutions and services for electrical installations, Hager believes the electrical sector is missing out on potential business opportunities on the back of growing demand for home automation
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t also encourages the building industry to ensure greater volumes of automation technologies are included in future new builds to meet growing consumer expectations for more connectivity and control around the home. Research undertaken by AMA Research says the UK home automation market is worth £160 million annually. It has experienced significant growth since 2010 as home owners seek out system solutions that include access, security, climate, lighting and shading controls, home entertainment and communication systems. Technological advances driving the home automation market include the progress of wireless controls and LED lighting, but also include the widening market for connected audio and visual content via home networks, and the adoption of “app” driven control interfaces, according to AMA’s report. Matt Price, technical support engineer for Hager, said: “The growth in demand for home automation technologies presents a great opportunity for the electrical industry. Consumer demand for solutions that provide greater connectivity and energy saving capability within the home, as well as remote control of household functions, will only continue to intensify. More widely used buildings such as colleges can also benefit from smart solutions. Therefore, the electrical contracting industry should be arming itself with technical knowledge and installation expertise to capitalise on such potential domestic and commercial projects. “There is currently a low awareness of home automation technologies across the sector and those that focus on this area of business opportunity could now reap significant benefit in the future.” Matt Price also encourages the construction sector to embrace the adoption of home automation technologies in new build developments, saying: “There is a real opportunity for the building industry if it starts to offer more automation solutions for customers. For example, home automation technologies could be trialled within a set number of homes across a largescale development. This would not only offer a point of differentiation from a sales perspective, it would also satisfy an increasing requirement from home owners and tap into their willingness to pay a premium for them. Indeed, I predict that house buyers of the future will insist that automation products and systems are included when deciding to purchase a new home as technology-driven connectivity, currently seen with smart phones, extends to other areas of daily life.” Hager’s well established home automation product portfolio is Electrical Review | April 2017
also backed by a technical support team to help provide expert guidance to specifiers and contractors looking to build a home automation offering. The company’s Tebis KNX automation solution delivers a smart home management system for lighting, electrical, security, heating, air conditioning and entertainment. With flexible programming capability, it can be used to support the lifestyle requirements of the owners, and introduce efficiencies that over time can result in significant energy and financial savings. Installation is simplified via a single bus cable, ensuring projects can be completed quickly. A free one day course on Tebis KNX is also available from Hager. Participants can learn about how they can design, install and commission bus systems for commercial and domestic installations with an opportunity to gain hands on experience by programming the system as well. Matt Price concluded: “The increase in ‘intelligent’ homes is being driven by customer demand. All stakeholders, from current electricians, the building industry, electrical wholesalers, specifiers and, even those training the contractors of the future, have a part to play if the home automation opportunity is to be fully realised. Once established, such experience can be extended to more commercially-based project opportunities such as education projects where smart solutions can help optimise the efficiency of a building’s performance. Current technology development, allied to home owner expectation, means those across the sector who don’t invest the time and resource now to fully arm themselves with home automation product expertise and a commercial offering, could be left behind.”
32 | RENEWABLE ENERGY
Renewable energy integration: predicting the unpredictable The coming of a renewable-only world is not a question of if, but of how and when. Barrie Cressey, business development director for smart grids, Schneider Electric, explains
W
hile this transition is undoubtedly good for the planet it has not been an easy one for utilities companies. Seismic changes require time and a combination of traditional interests, expanding energy demand and the need for consistent, reliable output means that both renewable and traditional sources of energy must work together on the same grids. In some cases, the integration of renewable energy has been rushed and without consideration of the full impact these new energy sources would have. This has, in turn, which has in turn created issues in supply, capacity and regulation. The challenge now for providers and operators is how to integrate renewable energy sources into existing grids whilst balancing supply and demand. Today, many have proven that this can be done.
SMARTER GENERATION The main drawback of renewable energy is its unpredictability. The sun, wind and water are pervasive but there is a limit to how much energy current technologies can extract. We must also consider unpredictable factors such as the weather and water flow speed that can significantly affect output. Traditionally, utilities have based their energy forecasts on weather patterns and historical trends. However, the growing number of renewable energy sources means that something as small as a sudden change in weather can rapidly change energy need. Fortunately, cutting-edge technologies are making predictions more reliable, allowing decisions to be made instantaneously. Flexible loads can adapt to dynamic network behaviour. ‘Smart generation’ seeks to add flexibility to standard generation concerns of availability, reliability, safety, and efficiency. Smart generation adapts dynamically to the ever-changing need for power by closely monitoring the behaviour of the load and, in a process known as demand response, ramping up or down as demand fluctuates. This approach has been remarkably successful at making efficient use of power and filling the remaining demand gap for electricity.
GRID CAPACITY – CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS One of the most pressing challenges posed by renewable energy integration has been its impact on grid capacity. As renewable energy plants best operate in isolated, modern Electrical Review | April 2017
energy production has scattered, forcing grid extension at a time when demand has become more centralised towards our cities. This, coupled with the unpredictable nature of renewables, has at times led to dangerous imbalances in the grid. As renewable energy sources grow in popularity, the limitation of grid capacity will only become more apparent. At times, an excess amount of solar power can be generated, creating overvoltage and tripped load, while cloudy days can create fluctuations, damage equipment and threaten power shortages. Energy efficiency depends upon not relying upon one source of renewable energy to the neglect of the others. Hydroelectric power, for example, is growing to be one of the world’s most important energy sources, largely because it offers the lowest operating and maintenance cost of any renewable source. However, operators have also started to use hydro power as a means to balance their grids and store energy. In a process known as ‘pumped storage’, water is pumped to a higher altitude during a time period of low electricity costs and flows downstream into generators when prices are high, providing a reliable and efficient source of backup power. The key is to integrate a mix of renewable sources and to ensure that they are carefully coordinated with the rest of the energy infrastructure. On a more localised level, utilities can also rely on backup power and off-grid systems to help prevent and mitigate power fluctuations. In a backup power system, batteries, charged through the utility connection and inverters, play the part of energy storage. When there are power fluctuations, the inverter provides consistent power to critical loads, reducing operational costs. In an off-grid system, which usually includes a solar array, solar chargers, batteries, and controls, energy is collected and stored to meet all power requirements. An additional generator can be added to provide increased capacity for heavy loads and battery charging when solar energy is reduced. Utilities have shown remarkable tenacity in successfully integrating renewable energy into their grids. Innovations in storage, generation, measurement and prediction technologies have made this possible, adding a flexibility to their systems that enables them balance supply and demand and make the most appropriate use of the energy available. This has helped to make the best use of the energy available and mitigate the unpredictability that so often characterises renewables. Our all-renewable future is still some time off, but providers are certainly headed down the right path.
PRODUCTS |33 PIR OCCUPANCY SWITCHES WITH DAYLIGHT LINKED DIMMING AND CORRIDOR FUNCTION Danlers’ new range of passive infra-red (PIR) occupancy switches with daylight linked dimming (maintained lux level) is designed for lighting loads controlled by DALI, DSI or 1-10V dimmable ballasts. These products switch lights on when an area is occupied and maintain a chosen lux level by dimming the lights in response to changes in the ambient daylight level. There is also a ‘run-on’ timer (corridor function) which allows the light to return to a minimum background level following a period of occupancy. This can either be for a chosen time or as a permanent background light. Each control has a switching relay, capable of switching 2 amps (500W) LED lamps and fittings or up to 6 amps (1500W) of most other types of load. This extensive new range includes flush and surface mounted PIR switches - as well as both surface high bay mounted or batten mounted high bay versions. Additionally, there are versions in either presence or absence detection as well as variants in the ControlZAPP and EasyZAPP range. Danlers • 01249 443377 www.danlers.co.uk
ALL IN ONE EMERGENCY SOLUTION The all-in-one solution eliminates typical wiring and installation nightmares usually associated with emergency lighting circuits. HotSpot Plus is one single case unit with a maximum 45W dimmable LED driver integrated with cable-clamp, loop-in/loop-out connectors for mains input and LED output connectors to the luminaire. The extremely compact unit has an integrated, replaceable battery with 12 hour recharge and a discharge capacity to power a selectable 3W/180minutes or 6W/90minutes. The LED driver output is programmable with a quick and easy to use hand held digital programmer. This allows selection of the required output current in 1mA increments from 250mA to 1400mA. For lighting manufacturers and electrical wholesalers this means that just one single product need be carried in stock to cover a vast number of emergency LED requirements which will be compatible with an extensive array of LED luminaires.
Fulham • +31 72 572 3000 www.fulham.com
NEW RANGE OF LED BULK HEADS Security products manufacturer, ESP, continues to expand its range of Duceri Emergency Lighting solutions and has just added a brand new collection of LED Bulk Heads to its growing portfolio of products. Combining high performance with ease of installation, the new range comprises four circular 14W LED Bulk Heads and one standard 5W LED bulk head, and has been developed to provide contractors, installers and wholesalers with access to a comprehensive range of emergency lighting solutions from under one roof. There are two 14W LED emergency circular bulk heads – one with built in microwave sensor – which will provide 3 hours+ emergency operation in the case of power failure. Also new are two mains only operated 14W LED Maintained Circular Bulk Heads, again with one featuring a built-in microwave sensor. All four products offer a lumen output of 1207 and feature 84 SMD 2835 LED technology to provide a long-lasting, high quality light output. The use of LED diffusers will provide anti-glare protection.
ESP • 01527 515150 www.espuk.com
A DIRECT LINK TO THE BUILDING NETWORK So, the scene has been set, we have our smart tool, the phone or tablet; we have Apps and we have wireless, 4G and other smart networks which is great news, but what does it really give us? Well to be honest, this is where the hype kicks in and perhaps the confusion. For a definition of “The Internet of Things” I refer you to this definition from Wikipedia; Smart spaces, where you can control your office or home via a phone, pc or tablet already exist, but it’s the connectivity of these systems to a wider network where we can manage services for the supply of energy, space, and resource generally. Mackwell looked at the trends in the market towards connectivity and the growth of LED’s and made the decision to develop a platform that would be purely LED focused, flexible and would also be at the forefront of the growth of the IoT. Being a UK designer and manufacturer of emergency lighting our in-house design team enables the electrical design and dedicated software teams to manage both the embedded and operating software. Mackwell Electronics • 01922 458255 www.mackwell.com
FREE CLAMP METER WITH A INSULATION TESTER Until 30 June 2017, Fluke is offering a FLK-1507/323 KIT which comprises a compact, rugged and easy-to-use Fluke 1507 insulation tester with a free, rugged truerms 323 clamp meter. The Fluke 1507 insulation tester, with its multiple test voltages, is ideal for a wide range of electrical installation, troubleshooting, commissioning, and preventative maintenance applications. The Fluke 323 True-rms clamp meter is the ideal general troubleshooting tool for commercial and residential electricians and is designed to verify the presence of load current, AC voltage, and continuity of circuits, switches, fuses and contacts.
Fluke UK • 0207 942 0700 www.fluke.co.uk
CURIOSITY LEADS TO SUCCESS STEGO nurtures its thirst for knowledge with innovations. How can you improve operational safety in enclosures and control cabinets? How to avoid condensate and frost permanently? These questions are everyday business for the thermal management specialists from STEGO. 37 years after the founding of the company, Stego preserve above all: a spirit of creative curiosity. The filter fan series FPI/FPO 018, which has stirred up the market for over a year, provides impressive proof of the strong innovative power at STEGO. It scores through strong product features. The most obvious advantage is the innovative air-flap outlet technology. It optimises cooling by allowing more air to pass through freely. The innovative tool-free ratchet mount mechanism is another great plus. The benefits of these new features once used, are a must and unmissable in all future applications.
Visit us at Hannover Fair: Hall 12, Stand E35 STEGO • 01372 747250 www.stego.co.uk
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34 | PRODUCTS SMALLEST EMERGENCY LED CONVERSION SYSTEM XY-Fi is the world’s smallest Emergency LED Conversion System that can be employed without altering the original design of the luminaire. Despite its ultra-compact proportions of only 12mm bezel diameter, XY-Fi is capable of delivering spacing’s of over 6 metres. Simple to install, XY-Fi is discreet and has been engineered for unobtrusive and seamless integration into a wide range of luminaire types. It can be mounted in the bezel of an existing luminaire and will still be classed as an integral conversion. The latest version of XY-Fi has been extensively modified to allow for increased photometric performance, thus allowing an increase in the spacings requirement of up to 50 percent wider. When retrofitting into fluorescent luminaires, the existing LED indicator aperture can be used for installation. Mackwell has also equipped XY-Fi with an integral bi-colour status indicator – showing green for ‘mains healthy’ and switching to full output of white light when in emergency mode.
Mackwell Electronics • 01922 458255 www.mackwell.com
STAY SAFE WITH TOOLBOX TALKS
BIG SAVINGS
Keep up to date with the most recent changes to Health & Safety Guidelines for safe electrical maintenance with the latest ToolBox Talks on Safe Isolation from Martindale Electric at your workplace. With around 1,000 serious accidents in the workplace each year and 16% of all fatalities linked to electricity, it’s clear to see how following simple safe isolation procedures and using the correct equipment can keep your team safe and avoid heavy penalties of up to £10m for non compliance. The ToolBox Talks cover the practical implications of recent changes to the standards and discuss what it takes to stay compliant with the latest HSE guidelines when installing and maintaining electrical plant and equipment. Suitable for maintenance teams, installation engineers and those responsible for electrical safety, Toolbox Talks offer participants a free 20 minute educational talk and Q&A session with no further obligation. ToolBox Talks are free of charge and open to all electrical safety personnel. Attendees will also receive a pack of follow up complimentary notes, for further reference.
Electrical contractors buying new test equipment now have a great opportunity to make big savings. For a limited time only Megger is offering a Safe Insulation Test Kit, which includes an MIT220 insulation tester and a TPT320 two-pole tester, for a very special price that is around 40% lower than the price of the two instruments purchased separately. As an added bonus, a protective hard carrying case, which will accommodate both instruments, is also included at no extra cost. The instruments featured in the kit are compact, light and easily pocketable, which makes them ideal go-anywhere companions that can meet 90% of testing requirements in situations where a multifunction installation tester is not readily to hand. The MIT220 is capable of testing at 250 V and 500 V, and of delivering 1 mA test current at the rated voltage, as required by EN 61557.
Martindale Electric • 01923 441717 www.martindale-electric.co.uk
Megger • 01304 502 101 www.megger.com
SMART PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Product manager, Cornelius Plath, was delighted to accept the Middle East Electricity product award on behalf of Omicron and particularly, the team who worked on the TESTRANO 600 development. The award was made in the Smart Power Product of the Year category for Omicron’s new power transformer test system. Given that testing of power transformers is quite time consuming with different test sets, lots of re-connecting, and multiple trips up and down the transformer, TESTRANO 600 cuts testing time hugely as the three-phase source allows excitation of all three windings at the same time. This gives customers the ability to measure the voltage ratio and actual phase shift. In today’s economic environment time is a valuable resource for many of our customers.
Scolmore has launched a brand new collection of premium wiring accessories – Deco Plus bringing even greater choice and flexibility at the high-end sector of the market. The result of 18 months’ development, Deco Plus comprises more than 800 premium decorative metal wiring accessory products, and introduces smooth, contemporary curves that will have wide-ranging appeal with contractors, specifiers and end users alike. Offering exceptional quality and unprecedented value, the new, highspecification Deco Plus collection includes switches power socket outlets, fused connection units and control switches; television, telephone and data sockets; plus media cabling solutions.
Omicron www.omicron.at
Scolmore • 01827 63454 www.scolmore.com
Electrical Review | April 2017
FULLY-INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MICRO DATA CENTRES Vertiv, formerly Emerson Network Power, today announced the rollout of Vertiv SmartCabinet™ across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The Vertiv SmartCabinet is an innovative approach to deploying micro data centres with a complete IT infrastructure solution in a fully-integrated enclosure. Packaged in one simple, intelligent system, this plug and play unit comprises thermal management, power distribution, remote monitoring, infrastructure management and high efficiency Liebert uninterruptible power supply (UPS). “Micro data centres at the edge of the network are critical to many businesses, but building and equipping facilities fast enough to meet growing data demands has become an issue,” said Appal Chintapalli, vice president of integrated rack systems for Vertiv in EMEA. “The fully integrated SmartCabinet – which combines all of the necessities for a micro data centre into one single unit – eliminates the need to build complex computer rooms while enhancing system deployment.
Vertiv www.VertivCo.com