Call: 0861 388 388
Call: 0861 388 388
Electricity – the most common form of energy used is also the most depended upon, without electricity industry comes to a standstill. Our dependency on electricity has determined that it has become an integral part of our lives. From the time we wake up in the morning and make the first cup of coffee until we switch off our light at night, our day is continuously integrated with operations requiring electrical energy in one form or another. Whether it is to operate the machinery used in the production of the products we make, powering the telephones on which we receive our orders, energizing the computer that runs our business, it is the energy form we must have at any cost!
Or is it "at any cost"?
Electricity costs constitute a substantial slice of the operating costs of any business. The tariff scales of larger businesses further include charges based on demand requirement where the Maximum Demand (MD) – the maximum energy consumed in a one hour period, measured continuously throughout the month – is charged at onerous rates.
This MD is further used to establish the Notified Demand (ND) used to establish threshold levels in supply against which consumer can be penalized if their demand drops below 70% of the ND.
No, electricity should not be supplied at any cost, but should be managed as the costly resource it is. This is sometimes more easily said than done. To manage the resource based only on consumption supplied by the Supply Authority limits the consumer in the decisions must be made on one reading per month.
It becomes difficult to justify major shifts in production process or procedures on the vagueness of such information. And who says these readings are correct anyway – after all Supply Authorities are also only human. Fortunately help is now at hand.
EVT has the ability to offer a detailed analysis of electrical energy consumption to ensure that clients are able to better manage their electrical energy usage and in many cases, reduce costs dramatically.
Satisfied that electrical energy is obtained at the best possible rate, the utilisation of the power needs to be as efficient as possible.
Power factor correction, one of the most cost-effective methods of energy management due to its relatively quick payback period is usually first investigated. This ensures that the power supplied by the Supply Authority is effective power consumed and that no apparent power, causing unnecessary heating in circulatory currents avoided and consequently not paid for. Air conditioning bills are reduced as heating is lowered and electronic failures are minimized as the strays are eliminated.
Harmonics, the system gremlins or ghosts slightly causing "unexplained" havoc to parts and equipment, need to be managed and brought under control. The advent to regulated power supplies and variable speed drivers has brought the fore the need to contain harmonics as the magnetic heating effects can cause damage to transformers, power factor correction capacitors , circuit breakers, solid state deceives etc.
Power dips, in their various degrees of severity as listed in NRS 048 cause intelligent machinery and systems to lose memory and control. Occupied lifts stop operating trapping hysterical passengers between floors.
CNC machines have sequences disrupted causing high production losses and standby power plants can even be started. While the consumer can do little to prevent these dips the can result in huge losses and their presence should be brought to the attention of the Supply Authority for rectification. Spikes and Surges too need to be identified as this leads to the premature failure of the components such as computers, data systems and so forth. Other supply irregularities such as Phase Angle variation and Voltage variations too require managing.
There is far more to managing electricity than making sure the bill is paid on time. As stated, electricity is not cheap commodity and thus we have a responsibility to ensure that we not only get the best value for our money but that we get the best product to meet our requirements without nasties that inflict damages that result in unnecessary costs.
EVT has the necessary expertise to assist you in making sure that you get the most from your electrical energy.
