Industrial Strength Backup for a "Factory" Casino

With the look of a 1940s factory, the Cannery Hotel and Casino, North Las Vegas, Nev., which opened in January of this year, is small by Las Vegas Strip standards. But the $105 million, 50,000-sq.-ft. complex still features 1,278 slot machines, 20 game tables, an indoor/outdoor entertainment venue and 201 guest rooms. This calls for reliable power, and as in their gambling operations, when it comes to backup power, casino operators wanted the odds stacked in their favor.

The system they selected pairs a 1,250-kW diesel generator, along with associated switchgear, with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to provide a nearly seamless power transfer. Managers believe casino clientele will be completely unaware that a power outage has even occurred. The generator is sized to support all lighting, elevators, food-storage equipment and fire alarms, and, of course, the highly secure cashier areas. Air conditioning is not supported. But the installing equipment distributor claims that most power outages in that area are so short that customers won't miss the cooling-system disruption.

The generator set incorporates the manufacturer's proprietary control and monitoring functionality, which oversees more than 30 operational parameters. In addition, heated coolant is circulated through the system to maintain a constant 90°F. This measure aids starting and load-acceptance in emergency situations.

The casino's building managers are timing their monthly test runs to get some energy savings from the new equipment, along with the assurance that all is operating correctly. The tests are scheduled for peak-demand periods and last from two to four hours. Minimizing utility loads during these high-use times helps the casino cash in on some valuable energy savings.