Scorpion system tests power generators online

Scorpion Power Systems has introduced a system that allows power generators to be tested online.

The system operates in parallel with the mains supply, which allows the generator's load to be tested without a break during a mains-failure simulation.

This is important as these simulations can disturb the site supply.

The panel provides a visual generating and mains-supply status and also incorporates a full data-logging facility.

By incorporating a PLC control system, the unit can communicate via a communications link with the generator to create a PLC network.

This allows the generator to step in and take over from the UPS no longer than 30 seconds after a mains failure.

When it detects the return of the mains power, Scorpion's system switches back automatically without a break in power supply.

The Scorpion system can also provide peak-lopping.

This is useful for companies that may be financially penalised by the regional electricity company for exceeding their specified power consumption.

When this point is about to be reached, the control system can be programmed to start the generator automatically so that it takes over the load without a break in power supply.

The panel complies with power regulation G59.

It is almost half the size of earlier no-break return systems.

It can be specified with Scorpion Powerhouse generators, which provide long-term protection for critical and sensitive equipment.

It can also be retrofitted to existing systems.

http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/shn/shn101.html

Vertical-reservoir fluid power generators

Hydrapact fluid power generators are specifically designed to drive hydraulic motors in closed circuit forming a hydrostatic transmission ideal for 24/7 heavy-duty applications.

Hydrapact vertical-reservoir fluid power generators are specifically designed to drive either high- or low-speed hydraulic motors in closed circuit forming a hydrostatic transmission ideal for 24/7 heavy-duty applications.

Devices are currently available in eight pre-engineered sizes from 110 to 1660 litre/min or 30 to 600kW of installed power.

The heart of these unique fluid power generators is a Hydrokraft axial piston hydraulic pump driven by a flange mounted electric motor and incorporating a generously sized boost (25% of the main pump) providing increased cooling and circuit flushing, a separate pump for control pressure (if applicable), all necessary filters and a full flow hydrostatic transmission valve.

Both the pump and electric motor are horizontally flange mounted to the structurally reinforced vertical-reservoir assuring perfect coupling alignment and a flooded pump inlet at all times.

Hydrapact fluid power generators are built to withstand harsh, hostile environments and feature vertical-reservoirs, very low noise levels, unsurpassed serviceability, extremely compact, easy to install and maintain, automatic torque limiting, infinitely adjustable flow and are available with controlled acceleration and deceleration allowing for soft starts.

Designed primarily for industrial applications, these fluid power generators have a wide range of displacement control options available including electronic, hydraulic and mechanical, all based on the "building block principle".

Included, as standard equipment is a water-to-oil heat exchanger, pump swashplate indicator (visual), isolation mounts and a comprehensive range of instruments continuously monitoring the oil level, temperature and various pressures.

All control circuits are wired to a terminal strip located in an enclosure mounted on the fluid power generators and containing stop/start buttons for the electric motor, filter clogging light(s), low level light, high temperature light and a low charge pressure light.

A wide variety of accessories are also available.

Each Hydrapact fluid power generator is fully tested, primed and painted prior to shipping.
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/ihd/ihd102.html

Calif. cities to get refunds from power generators

California cities and investor-owned utilities should get refunds on electricity costs now that an appeals court has determined that power generators unfairly backdated increases from 2006 to 2007.

In 2005, a group of wholesale electricity generators filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission arguing that they were undercompensated for some services.

Six cities including Anaheim, Azusa, Banning, Colton, Pasadena and Riverside contested a later decision allowing the new rates to be put into effect on June 1, 2006, arguing that backdating the increase was not permitted.

Bonnie S. Blair, an attorney in Washington, D.C., who represented the municipalities before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, says her clients together will get several hundred thousands of dollars. She says other cities and utilities should also get refunds.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/02/27/financial/f143753S66.DTL&type=business

Generators will ensure uninterrupted power supply at exam centres

MUMBAI: The school education department has said it will ensure uninterrupted power supply at all SSC and HSC examination centres across the
state.
"The issue of load-shedding during the SSC and HSC exams was raised before the high court last year. Then the court had asked the education department to take necessary measures to ensure proper facilities for the students. This time, we have decided to provide uninterrupted power supply at all the 6,000-odd centres,'' Sanjay Kumar, school education secretary, told TOI on Friday.

Sanjay Kumar had convened a high-level meeting of the officials of the education and energy department to draft a comprehensive action plan to ensure adequate power supply at all exam centres.

Energy department officials said that due to unprecedented load-shedding across the state ranging between six to 18 hours, it will not be possible to supply uninterrupted power to the examination centres. "We made it clear at the meeting that we will not be able to supply power to examination centres, since it was not possible to isolate the them. We can ensure power supply at only those centres where feeder separation is possible,'' a senior energy department official said.

In view of the scenario, it has been proposed to hire power generation sets for the examination centres. "As per our information, nearly 4,500 examination centres will require generators. We plan to hire these sets for the examination beginning from February 26,'' said a school education department official.

The official said hiring power generation sets will be a costly affair, but all steps will be taken to ensure adequate power supply. The charge for a generator ranges between Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 per day, depending upon its capacity. The education department was not sure if such a large number of generators was available on hire. "We are still working out the cost of the proposal. We will place the entire proposal before the cabinet. If the cabinet does not approve the proposal, then we will have no option but to levy a minor surcharge on the students to recover the cost of the power generators,'' the official said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Generators_will_ensure_uninterrupted_power_supply_at_exam_centres/articleshow/
4090394.cms

Puget Sound Energy buys two Whatcom County power

Puget Sound Energy has purchased two 74-megawatt, natural gas-fired electric generators at the Whitehorn Generating Station, located northwest of Ferndale.

PSE bought the single-cycle, combustion-turbine generators for $22.6 million from Newark, N.J-based Public Service Resources Corp. The utility has been leasing the two units and using their power output since 1981.

PSE's Whitehorn power plant is used primarily to provide a source of back-up energy during daily or seasonal spikes in power usage. The facility's turbines can reach full generating capacity in a matter of minutes.

Over the past two years, PSE has overhauled and upgraded the two Whitehorn generating units. The utility's original Whitehorn generator, installed in 1974, was retired in 2000.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/781169.html

HECO sees hope in new generator

A new generator coming on line next summer should reduce the time Oahu residents spend in the dark during the next blackout, Hawaiian Electric Co. officials said yesterday.

The so-called combustion engine generator will be an advance equivalent to moving from propeller planes to the jet age, said Robbie Alm, HECO executive vice president.

It will start up in about 10 minutes, compared with 4 1/2 hours -- the time it took the first generators to get up and running during Friday's islandwide blackout.

"Once you get the first unit up, everything begins to fall into line," Alm said.

Meanwhile, HECO crews will head for the hills today to inspect transmission lines for signs of a suspected lightning strike or other reasons for the power failure.

State officials said yesterday the overall response to the emergency by the airport and hotels was good and that everything was back to normal yesterday.

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081229_HECO_sees_hope_in_new_generator.html