Reshaping UPS Backup Power for Utility Operations
UPS Backup Power Needs of the Utility Sector Have Evolved Significantly in Recent Years In the wake of grid modernization initiatives and an influx...
Industry
Insights
Filter
Part 1: Can your generation plant survive an unplanned or emergency trip without sustaining major damage?
INTRODUCTION
Good question, and one your insurance company or investors are likely to ask and want documentation on.
The heart of the safety system that allows for an orderly and safe generating unit shutdown is the station battery and associated DC system. The generating unit will sustain major or even catastrophic damage if the station battery and associated DC system fail to perform as specified in the system design criteria.
Industry
Insights
Part 2: Can your generation plant survive an unplanned or emergency trip without sustaining major damage?
TEST EQUIPMENT
The equipment used in a capacity test should be a computer-based battery discharge test system with automatic data logging.
It should be capable of conducting single or multiple steps, constant current or constant power (kilowatt) discharge tests. It should include a video display of all pertinent data relating to a discharge test such as individual cell voltages, load current, overall battery voltage, average cell voltage, minimum cell voltage, maximum cell voltage, elapsed test time, program step number and program step elapsed time, battery location and battery identification number.
5 Common Mistakes in Battery System Capacity Testing
IEEE and NERC both require battery capacity testing as a means of predicting a battery system’s ability to perform when called upon during a loss of AC power, for acceptance of new installations, and in determination of end of life criteria for system replacement. While NERC is very vague and just states that “Capacity testing must be done at said interval”, IEEE 450, 1106 and 1188 have clearly defined frequencies, prerequisites and instructions on how these tests should be conducted.
From results that are submitted to us for warranty consideration or review, a group of common errors have come to light. Below are the top 5 most common mistakes that are seen in capacity testing.
Part 1: Can your generation plant survive an unplanned or emergency trip without sustaining major damage?
INTRODUCTION
Good question, and one your insurance company or investors are likely to ask and want documentation on.
The heart of the safety system that allows for an orderly and safe generating unit shutdown is the station battery and associated DC system. The generating unit will sustain major or even catastrophic damage if the station battery and associated DC system fail to perform as specified in the system design criteria.