Electrical Power & Protection


A cost effective energy management system

February 2017 Electrical Power & Protection

LBA’s Stellar energy management system has been designed for the sole purpose of minimising energy consumption during high peak and standard tariff times. This in turn saves users from paying extremely high energy bills from their local energy supplier. The control algorithms continuously monitor the energy consumption and outputs are then controlled based on easily definable rules.

System control based on selected priorities

Many factories and other users have systems that can run independently of each other. This is especially true for most cold storage facilities, pumping schemes and others. Many of these installed processes have no means of effectively scheduling energy consumption during the correct time of day. Certain hours of the day have large penalty tariffs for electrical consumption, whilst other times have lower charge tariffs. The key to the Stellar system is to control the usage based on selected priorities.

If certain processes are required to run during peak times, this system will allow those processes to operate. Those processes that are not as critical, but could run during peak times, will only operate as long as the energy set-point for that particular time period is not exceeded. During standard times, additional processes will be allowed to operate. In the off peak times, the control software will allow all processes to run. With the correct application of Stellar Energy Control Software, users are guaranteed considerable savings per year at minimal cost and capital outlay.

What savings can be expected?

The average user can expect to save in the region of 10-20% of their monthly electricity bill (the lower the bill, the lower the percentage savings). During the high peak months (June to August), savings can be as high as 20% of the total energy bill. Actual case studies have shown this to be the case in all sites where time of use control has been applied.

How is the system implemented?

Because of the user’s concern about whether the EMS can in fact save money, the software licence is offered free of charge for an initial trial period. There is a fixed configuration cost to install the system on site, utilising the users existing installed hardware and software. If the user does not wish to purchase the licence, then the software is simply returned at no further cost.

The only equipment necessary is the installation of an energy meter required to measure the power usage, and a method (PLC) to control the operation of the various cold rooms etc. The system is designed to link into any local system via discrete I/O, OPC server or modifications to the client’s own control system.

So, how does it all work? Interested readers can download the full report at http://instrumentation.co.za/+J1839

For more information contact Dave Le Roux, Le Roux, Bouttell & Associates, +27 (0)11 514 0909, [email protected], www.lbaa.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Power supply with scalability optimised
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has introduced the Easy UPS 3-Phase Modular to the South African marketplace. This robust uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to protect critical loads while offering third-party verified Live Swap functionality.

Read more...
Prioritising arc flash safety
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
Comtest has developed a range of thermal imaging and wireless testing tools from Fluke, designed to ensure safety is the top priority for engineers working in potentially dangerous arc flash zones.

Read more...
Monitoring the voltage drop in cables
Turck Banner Southern Africa Electrical Power & Protection
With its new M12Plus connectors, Turck Banner is directly shifting the condition monitoring of cables subject to severe stress to the connection technology. The connectors, which come with voltage and current monitoring and a Bluetooth chip, enable measured voltage and current values to be sent wirelessly to a controller.

Read more...
Mesh networks: a multidirectional electrical superhighway
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Today, many power industry stakeholders are faced with mounting requirements for improved grid reliability, resilience and distribution efficiency. It’s a challenge which requires power service providers to rethink their infrastructure. Enter mesh networks, which can overcome the limitations of traditional star networks.

Read more...
Versatile flexible copper busbar
Electrical Power & Protection
Referro Systems specialises in the supply and support of industrial electrical, automation and global software and hardware brands, and is now able to offer the Cubic range of Cu-Flex flexible copper busbars.

Read more...
Trafo Power Solutions upgrades DRC mine transformers
Electrical Power & Protection
With its experience in Africa and its agility in executing projects rapidly, Trafo Power Solutions is supplying three mini-substations and two transformers to a copper-zinc mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Read more...
Acquiring locally-manufactured transformers
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
Speed and efficiency are of the essence in the fast-evolving power generation and distribution space; but a significant challenge is the prolonged lead times associated with acquiring transformers – key components in any electrical infrastructure.

Read more...
Seaward testers power PV specialists
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
One of Asia’s leading clean energy specialists, Solarvest, uses the latest electrical safety test equipment to ensure the solar photovoltaic (PV) installations it services and maintains operate at peak performance levels.

Read more...
Multi-purpose contact block
Electrical Power & Protection
The TME catalogue has been expanded to include products from Schlegel. This German, family-owned company has been specialising in the production of high-quality electromechanical components for almost 80 years.

Read more...
ACTOM supplies transformer units to Kamoa Copper Mine
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Distribution Transformers, recently secured an order for the supply of its neutral electromagnetic couplers, with earthing resistors, and an auxiliary transformer) to Kamoa Copper Mine in the DRC.

Read more...