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Understanding the need for paralleled energy converter systems
This article discusses the factors that designers can consider when determining if energy generation systems should include paralleling and what concepts can be part of the design.
Kinetic energy storage: what to know about a dynamic UPS
Dynamic uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) can be used in place of static UPSs, creating smaller, more efficient power solutions
Know specific, unique applications of generators in mission critical facilities
Electrical engineers should consider many factors when selecting generators and generator systems for mission critical facilities
How to know where to place generator docking stations
Generator docking stations, essential for modern electrical systems, have gained popularity for their role in enhancing resilience and meeting NFPA 70 code requirements
How to make generator fuel type selection in four steps
When selecting a generator, one of the first and most important decisions is which fuel type to choose
Using generator technology for reliable and sustainable energy
How tried and true equipment such as generators will combine with newer technologies to offer reliable and sustainable mission-critical power
Your questions answered: Power generation systems in high-performance buildings
Electrical engineers must consider many factors when designing power generation systems. Get answers to your questions from this live webcast here
Your questions answered: Power generation and the critical role biogas plays in the energy landscape
In this webcast, attendees learned about biogas as a main or backup fuel, biogas distributed generation characteristics and resiliency and renewable distributed generation.
Your questions answered: Generator set-based paralleling
This webcast provided a comprehensive overview of a typical paralleling emergency power system and dove into the fundamental key features needed to parallel generator sets. Check out the additional questions on genset-based paralleling.
Your questions answered: Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) foundational learnings
Discover how uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems play a vital role in ensuring the availability and protection of critical equipment and data during power outages and voltage fluctuations.
Your questions answered: What is the new energy landscape and how does it affect microgrids?
By designing a microgrid for a building or campus, engineers can help their clients reduce reliance on the electric utility. Read this Q&A for extra information
Building efficiency, quality remain major priorities for consulting engineers
Consulting engineers are working on reducing carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency with better sustainability and quality measures.
Consulting-Specifying Engineer most-viewed content, August 2023
Read the best articles from August 2023 including: UPS design considerations, NFPA 99 and fire sprinkler systems.
Transformer, switchgear and UPS design considerations
Several key and common engineering decisions to consider when designing a power distribution system are highlighted in a case study example.
Critical Power Webcast: How does NFPA 99 impact health care facilities code?
Register for this webcast on May 31, 2023, to learn about NFPA 99 and its implications for health care facilities.
Learn the pros and cons of centralized and decentralized generator systems
Centralized, remote and distributed standby generator designs are all options for power systems. Which one is best?
Case study: Moving to centralized power generators with utility backup
A centralized standby generator arrangement will be explored further in the following case study
Existing generators: Extending service life strategies and reuse case studies
Due to long lead times, maintaining or relocating existing generators is a possible solution to the supply chain problem
Considerations for emergency generator systems
Learn about factors to consider when designing a generator for an emergency power system
Your questions answered: What to consider when designing a paralleling power system
When designing a paralleling power system, electrical engineers need to consider many aspects including transfer switches, grounding and protection
Five more reasons generators fail when you need them the most
Here are five additional reasons why generators fail
Project Profile: Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency Backup Generator Project
This MEP project had several challenges including coordination of the pre-procurement of the diesel engine generators and paralleling switchgear as well as modifications.
Hospital emergency power supply systems
Generators and emergency power systems are essential to enabling hospitals and health care facilities to effectively serve their communities
Webcast: Understanding HVO fuel in gensets
Attend this webcast on August 17, 2022, to learn about Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel and its environmental impact on the traditional diesel-powered generator system.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer content: June 3-9, 2022
The most-viewed content from the past week covered emergency generators, HVAC systems, K-12 school changes and building electrification.
Five reasons emergency generators fail when you need them
Here are five common reasons why generators fail
Consulting-Specifying Engineer most-viewed articles, February 2022
Read the best articles in February 2022 including: Health care generators, electrical power quality, switch time duration, lighting controls and more.
Your questions answered: Specifying generator set paralleling controls
In this additional Q&A, learn how to parallel generators for emergency power systems, along with their fundamental control features
Understand the distinctions of generators for health care
Generator systems designed for health care occupancies have a unique set of requirements
Education Session: Specifying Generator Set Fuel Sources
By attending this course attendees will learn about gaseous generator sets, and how NFPA 110 affects their specifications.
Your questions answered: Evaluating and selecting generator set fuel sources
Learn about the applications of and building code considerations for specifying generator fuel sources
Case study: Leading-edge energy generation and storage
The California Air Resources Board will employ a battery energy storage system
Generators function as a reliable alternative power supply
When designing standby power systems for facilities such as data centers, hospitals, pumping stations, generation or processing plants, engineers should make informed decisions regarding proper generator size and operation methods to protect critical loads.
Power generation: Where were we then? Where are we now?
A change in tide in domestic fuel resources and the introduction of renewables transforming how we operate our grid has led to significant shifts in the energy industry.
Planning for power outages
As part of its mission to help New York communities become more resilient to storm damage and the growing impacts of climate change, the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) partnered with the City and Town of Amsterdam and local volunteers to develop a New York Rising Community Reconstruction Plan for the two municipalities.
Case study: Hospital generator noise attenuated
Four outdoor diesel generators were designed for a hospital, and sound levels were better than expected.
Selectively coordinated overcurrent protection for power systems
When designing a safe and reliable power distribution system, it is imperative to consider life safety and equipment protection.
Your questions answered: Genset fuel sustainability and reliability
Questions that were not addressed during the live event on June 12 are answered here by Brian Ponstein, regional sales engineer at MTU Onsite Energy.
How to design a grounded power supply system
Transformerless uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems operate ungrounded during power transfer to a backup source, but a robust grounding design can accommodate the requirement of both grounded and ungrounded systems.
Dissecting NEC’s recent changes
Changes in and additions to the 2017 edition of NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) have an impact on commercial and industrial facilities.
Your questions answered: Electrical systems: Designing electrical rooms
Unanswered questions from the Nov. 16, 2017, webcast on designing electrical rooms are addressed by the presenters.
Generator sizing examples
When designing generator systems, such as engine-driven generator sets, design engineers must ensure that the generator selection, sizing, and the design of electrical systems are appropriate for the application.
Healthy hospital success: Electrical, power, and lighting
With hospital projects, it is imperative that engineers get everything exactly right—after all, the lives of patients treated in the health care building may depend on it. Electrical and power systems must be designed correctly.
Industrial-strength design: Electrical, power, and lighting
Manufacturing and industrial facilities tackle heavy-duty projects during their day-to-day operations—so it makes sense that engineers working on such structures face a number of tough challenges. Engineers offer advice on how to achieve results when designing electrical, power, and lighting systems.
Paralleling generators in prime power applications
Paralleling generators can increase efficiency, improve reliability, and save money.
Standby generator sets
The 10 to 40 kW diesel generator sets provide emergency power and can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles, May 5-11
Were you out last week? Miss something? Here are the Consulting-Specifying Engineer ’s five most-clicked articles from last week, May 5-11, including articles about building energy modeling, selecting arc flash protection techniques, generator rating for data centers, arc flash protection techniques, and incorperating shade control in lighting design strategy.
Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2014 Product of the Year finalists: Emergency, on-site, standby power
Read about the 4 finalists in the Emergency, On-site, Standby Power category for the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2014 Product of the Year program.
Engineering systems in manufacturing, industrial buildings: Electrical, power, and lighting systems
Manufacturing and industrial facilities have some unusual engineering requirements, including demanding power requirements.
Meeting electrical infrastructure demands in data centers
A data center’s electrical system requires a robust, reliable infrastructure that far surpasses that of its commercial and industrial facility peers.
Sports, entertainment venues: Electrical and power systems
Sports arenas and entertainment facilities involve complex engineering solutions. Five consulting engineers share details on electrical and power systems.
Updates to 2014 NEC
NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, will next be updated in 2014. Here's a look at what to expect.
Manufacturers’ focus on data centers: Electrical and power
Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Three manufacturers share information about their company’s products and solutions.