Power generation for remote accommodation camps
power generation for remote accommodation camps Remote accommodation camps present a series of unique challenges when it comes to providing power generation equipment. The main factors that need to be considered when developing a site power plan are as follows: How many people are to be accommodated? Does the kitchen have gas or electric cooking? What are the financial or industrial action ramifications of a blackout? How often can refuelling trucks get to site? What are the local regulations with regard to fuel storage and bunding? What date is power required on-site? *figure 1 above represents the power draw for a 280 person camp over a 24 hour period showing the significant variations in power requirements during various times of the day. The electrical load for accommodation camps varies significantly throughout a 24 hour time period. There are generally three load periods to consider: Peak Load: Kitchen/Mess are operational during meal times (morning and night) Shoulder Load: Residents shower times and sleep times Base Load: Residents are not in the camp during work hours and kitchen is not operational
Traditional Method of Powering Camps Traditionally, two generators have been used when operating camps. A running machine capable of satisfying the maximum demand and a second set of the same size to run in the event of failure of the first generator. This presents a number of problems, including: During shoulder and base load the larger machine will use far more fuel than is necessary This extra fuel consumption results in unnecessary carbon emissions A generator is designed to operate at a minimum of 50% of it s maximum rated capacity. If the unit is used on lighter loads for an extended period, severe and irreversible engine damage will result.
Redstar Method of Powering Camps The real key to maximising efficiency and cost benefits to any accommodation camp project is to develop a power plan. Although there are general rules of thumb that can be used as a guide, it is important to remember that all projects are unique. The more accurate the information that can be obtained about the camps actual load, the greater the cost savings that can be achieved. step 1 establish the nature of the load Either by using a rule of thumb figure based on the amount of camp residents or actual load readings from an existing camp, the peak, base and shoulder loads are established. NATURE OF LOAD POWER DRAW Base (Minimum) 280 amps Shoulder (Intermediate) Peak (Maximum) 400 amps 700 amps
step 2 develop a sizing plan Ideally, a three generator system should be used. This allows for a single smaller machine to operate during the base load in order to maximise fuel efficiency and minimise carbon emissions. Peak load is achievable by using two of the three machines in parallel. This occurs automatically as the system detects when more power is required and starts the second machine as required. It also turns off this second machine when the load drops. The third machine is used for redundancy in case of failure of either of the two primary generators. This also allows for regular maintenance to be performed without any power interruption. In most camp situations, the implications of power failure in terms of lost production and potential industrial action are very significant. NATURE OF LOAD UNITS USED POWER DRAW Base (Minimum) 1 58% Shoulder (Intermediate) 1 82% Peak (Maximum) 2 72%
step 3 select the most efficient engine on the market Once the generator size is determined, it is important to do a fuel consumption review of the available engines on the market in that size range: Shoulder Load: Residents shower times and sleep times Base Load: Residents are not in the camp during work hours and kitchen is not operational *The above is an actual fuel comparison chart for engines in the 350kva class. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. As evidenced in the above graph, dramatic fuel and carbon emissions can be achieved simply by selecting the most fuel efficient engine on the market.
REDSTAR method IN ACTION 1 BASE LOAD Low load of the day Camp empty One generator running CAMP 2 SHOULDER LOAD Mid load of the day Shower and sleep times One/two generators running CAMP 3 PEAK LOAD Peak load of the day Cooking times Two generators running One generator as backup CAMP
traditional method vs REDSTAR method HEAD TO HEAD Using traditional method (2 x large sets, one running one standby) Peak load 700 amps requires approx 700kva to operate effectively 2 x 700kva selected NATURE OF LOAD HOURS A DAY FUEL CONSUMED Base (Minimum) 9 738 litres Shoulder (Intermediate) 11 902 litres Peak (Maximum) 4 480 litres Using REDSTAR method (3 x smaller sets, operating in parallel) NATURE OF LOAD HOURS PER DAY FUEL CONSUMED Base (Minimum) 9 324 litres Shoulder (Intermediate) 11 572 litres Peak (Maximum) 4 288 litres Final Results METHOD LITRES PER DAY LITRES PER MONTH LITRES PER YEAR Traditional 2120 64483 773800 REDSTAR 1184 36013 432160
Summary REDSTAR method offers 341,640 litre fuel saving per annum (44.15%) Summary of key points: Fuel is 90% of the cost of owning or renting a generator running prime A three generator model is optimum for efficiency (1 for base load 2 for peak and 1 standby) Establish the nature of load, size of machines required and most efficient engine in that size Plan ahead to allow adequate delivery times Dramatic fuel and carbon emission efficiency improvements can be achieved on any site Please remember, this system is useful both for new and existing sites. The cost of replacing existing inefficient systems with new fuel and carbon saving packages is almost universally far outweighed by the cost savings in fuel alone.
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