Generator/VFD/Emergency Response Issues Affordable Standby Power
IVAN
Water Utilities in Florida rely heavily on the electric infrastructure to power facilities. Without power, water supply and wastewater treatment, both essential and critical needs for maintaining quality of life and public health are severely impacted.
When electric power is lost, smaller water systems below 350 population and most lift stations do not have standby power. Although every medium and large Florida W/WW utility will maintain a number of stationary and mobile generators, the number of generators required to service every W/WW facility and lift station is enormous, impractical and not necessarily the most efficient means of providing temporary service.
Defining The Emergency Response Process Major Concern will be Power Outages 80% to 90% of System may be affected Power Outage can be several days to several weeks During the interim Utility System will be severely stressed In most cases 70% of Electric System will be back up within 4 days
Standby Power and Alarm (14) Standby Power. 62-555-20 (a) By no later than December 31, 2005, each community water system (CWS) serving, or designed to serve, 350 or more persons or 150 or more service connections shall provide standby power for operation of that portion of the system s water source, treatment, and pumping facilities necessary to deliver drinking water meeting all applicable primary or secondary standards at a rate at least equal to the average daily water demand for the system. (f) At each site where standby power is required under paragraph (a), above, the supplier of water shall provide by December 31, 2005, an audio-visual alarm system that is activated in the event any power source fails. If the site is not staffed during all hours the standbypowered water system components are in operation, the alarm also shall be telemetered to a place staffed during all hours the standbypowered water system components are in operation, or shall trigger an automatic telephone dialing or paging device, to enable notification of an authorized representative of the supplier of water. This is only part of the rule, you can see the entire rule at this link! https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=62-555.320
Three Phase Generator
Three Phase Generator Allocation Typically 30 40 KW will be smallest Three Phase Unit Generators will be allocated on critical need basis Most Applications will be oversized There will be shortage of available Units
Installation of VFD at Small Lift Station
VFD Limited to 15 HP Maximum Size Motor 15 HP Vertical Turbine Well Pump
Single to 3 phase Single phase generator through a VFD, you will come out of the VFD with 3 phase to run most lift stations and wells under 20hp. Cost: $3500.00 for a good generator up to 15 kw, and $1800.00 for an ABB 20hp VFD. Total around $5000.00. Typical 3 phase generator of 40 kw would be $45,000.00. You need to buy a good generator, Honda, Yamaha, etc. VFD s should be Square D or ABB, others. Big advantage of these units: 1. Can be programed to reduce in rush current, take 600% to start equipment or run it. Can program delay, 7 seconds, staged loading. 2. Portable, it can be carried in the back of a pickup truck, easy to load and lift, can be very mobile for lift station routes/using the hopping method of pumping down 10 lift stations. 3. Can use service truck welder to run VFD in a tool box. 4. PTO on tractor even if single phase through a VFD to run remote stations where need tractor/loader to gain access or move debris. 5. VFD can be water proofed/float in a pelican case. 6. How to build/directions/materials on FlaWARN and FRWA websites. Also handouts in the back. 7. VFD is control panel if controls are missing. 8. Can be ran at slower speeds.
Benefits in Using Small Gen/ VFD for Emergency Response Allows Use of Locally Available Small Size Single Phase Generator Cost of Small Generator/VFD Typically 10% of Larger Unit Several Gen/VFD units can be transported in the bed of a pick-up Larger Three Phase Generators are Scarce Resource after Storm. Cost of Three Phase Generators are Typically range from $40,000 to $50,000 Three Phase units must be moved via trailer., or large truck.
Benefits in Using Small Gen/ VFD for Emergency Response Smaller Generators are portable and can easily be handled by one or two man crew Smaller generators are expendable item and do not require periodic maintenance Units can easily be deployed in routing operations, queuing can be provided to critical stations. Larger Three Phase Units are difficult to maneuver and to set up Three Phase Units are depreciated over longterm & have high overhead costs Three Phase units require set up locations. Are more permanent installation
Benefits in Using Small Gen/ VFD for Emergency Response Smaller Generators units can be deployed in a much more timely manner after a storm Smaller generators can be carried through back yards and placed in more inaccessible back lot areas Use of small Units frees up larger units for deployment to priority areas Larger Unit set up will lag as units must be secured and matched to site conditions Utility Vehicles can not access some areas with Three Phase Units because of fallen debris Supply of Three Phase units is limited and priority deployment results in problems
Affordable Generator for Smaller Applications Single Phase Generator through a VFD and out with 3- three Phase for up to 20 HP applications Pump stations, wells, etc. $5,000 compared to $40,000 or more Portable, hopscotching method, lower maint, easy set-up Build instructions at frwa.net
Use Pickup and AC Welder to Power Small Lift Stations 240V three phase 240V single phase 5 HP Lift Sta. 10 HP VFD 6,500 watt Welder
Demo of Operation We will be using a transformer to demo single phase power of generator inside. We will have a unit outside to run and can be viewed at the end of the session
H Handouts
Questions & Input