DPS launches innovative hybrid power solution to protect against mains failure and improve environmental performance in clean water and wastewater plants.
A ground-breaking, zero-break power solution that combines UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) technologies has been launched by critical power specialist Dale Power Solutions to help water companies eliminate disruption and damage caused by failures in mains power supply.
The innovative hybrid solution is designed to protect water and sewage treatment plants from the impact of mains interruption by enhancing power quality and providing seamless backup power in the event of a power outage. The system mitigates the risk of operational downtime and eliminates the need to reset and reconfigure systems after the mains supply is reinstated, therefore avoiding lengthy delays reconnecting essential services to customers.
“Power failure can have a catastrophic impact on water and wastewater operations,” explains Stuart McPhail, Head of Commercial UPS at DPS, a leading supplier of emergency backup power solutions to the UK water industry.
“As well as delays restoring clean water supply and the related inconvenience to customers, there is a serious risk of pollution events linked to power failure at sewage treatment plants, potentially leading to environmental harm and considerable costs to the water company in the form of fines and reputational damage.
“Our new hybrid solution provides a seamless and reliable emergency backup network to power essential processes in case of mains failure and to improve power stability and quality at all times. Together, the technologies offer a valuable business continuity solution for water utilities.”
Hybrid power
The UPS operates as a permanent online power supply, channelling mains electricity and bridging it into the site network. Its role is to enhance power quality by smoothing out minor variations in flow caused by brownouts, voltage spikes, surges and dips. In this way, it provides the site with a continuous source of high-quality power, minimises potential damage to sensitive electronic equipment and extends the lifespan of valuable technology assets. In the event of a mains outage, the UPS continues to deliver power to the site without interruption until the BESS is ready to take over. With no break in supply, equipment remains online and the need to reset or reprogramme control panels, drives or motors is removed. Designed specifically for water treatment sites, the UPS is housed in a purpose-built IP54-rated casing to protect it from harsh environmental conditions.
The BESS is used to store energy from the grid and from renewable sources and release it when and where it is needed, either as part of a pre-programmed schedule or as a source of emergency power. The technology allows water companies to reduce their carbon footprint by capturing and storing energy from renewables including solar and wind. It also enables companies to maximise energy rates and reduce costs by drawing and storing energy from the grid at night when rates are lower and releasing it into their network during the day in a strategy known as load shifting. As part of an emergency power strategy, the BESS takes over from the UPS within 60 milliseconds of a mains outage and can power the site for several hours. The technology gathers, stores and analyses network data and is able to sequence the order in which loads are applied to different technologies.
Scarborough-based DPS has over 90 years of experience as an electromechanical engineering partner and designs, installs and maintains critical power systems to hundreds of water and wastewater sites around the UK.
Source: Dale Power Solutions