| Standby
Power |
For any reasonably
sized or often used facility, the provision of
an alternative source of electrical power, in
the event of a mains failure, is essential. The
cost of such provision is small when related to
the cost of facility downtime in terms of business
loss of face or just employee lost time. For
smaller facilities, the same comments apply,
although the relative cost may be higher.
Once the infrastructure costs of standby power
provision have been accepted for one facility
within a premises, the relative cost of increasing
the size of the generator and electrical switchgear
and distribution are smaller.
Diesel generation is the most popular solution,
and gas turbines, running on similar fuel are
used to produce larger loads.
The generating equipment simply comprises an
engine, which drives an alternator, which produces
electricity.
A generator emits noise and exhaust fumes and
requires a supply of aspirating air for the
engine and fresh cooling air for its radiator.
However, it can be contained in a weatherproof,
acoustically attenuated housing and placed outside
the facility it is protecting. Alternatively
it can be housed inside a premises and the acoustic
and anti-vibration treatments applied.
Fuel is usually held in a day tank built into
the frame supporting the generator. As the term
suggests, this will enable the set to operate
for
8 hours under full load conditions. It is usual
to provide a bulk storage tank to extend this
period. Fuel tanks need to be bunded to contain
leakage.
Permissions will be required from all relevant
local authorities and owners of the premises
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