Power When There Isn’t Power

Including backup power solutions into infrastructure systems requiring electricity is an inexpensive insurance policy.

Every day we use electricity to power items. We use it at home, commuting to and from work, at work and at play. Electricity is everywhere around us and has become the invisible source that keeps us going. Systems and equipment that depend on electricity can vary from small to large, with costs varying from pocket change for items of personal use to large capital expenditures on public infrastructure funded by municipal, state and federal jurisdictions. Having electricity available anytime, anywhere has become an expectation. On a small scale a loss of electricity is a minor inconvenience, but when the grid goes down or power is disrupted to a large population, there are impacts to health, safety and security. Roadways, ports, public works, transportation, airports, boarders, communication and telecommunication systems can all be impacted when power is lost or disrupted.

In the past this may not have been as big a concern. Roadways and transportation systems were not managed by automated or electrical controls. Security systems were not required or as advanced. Buildings didn’t rely heavily on sophisticated security and access control systems and data communication. Telecommunication was land-line based rather than distributed through extensive wireless solutions. Broadband was not the backbone for transferring of information and communicating as it is today.

Now with advances in technology and the use of critical systems that rely heavily on clean consistent, uninterrupted power, what does one do when an infrastructure systems shuts down due to lost or interrupted power?

Infrastructure systems including transportation and mass transit, airports, canals, dams, railroads, tunnels, roads, bridges, ports, schools, hospitals, water purification, sewage treatment plants all require power for operating, monitoring and communications. The heart of the system depends on electricity being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. In cases where infrastructure systems such as mass transit or highway tolls require user payment, the reliance on electricity is even more critical as the power needs to be available in order to support payment methods as well as keep the system operating.

If you think that power disruptions or outages don’t happen, then consider how often you hear about hurricanes, floods, construction, traffic accidents, security breaches, severe weather, and fires. Although not mentioned, in most instances electrical service is affected. Depending on the severity of the situation, power could be disrupted for a very short period of time or the power outage could last days. In either case the power interruption will shut down critical systems.

Recently, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, a fire in a below street level service tunnel caused a power failure in the city’s downtown core covering 8-12 blocks. Although this was confined to a very small area, the density of office towers within the area left wide ranging levels of inoperability. Datacenters, telecommunications companies, transportation systems including bus and light rail transit, hospitals and ports were all within reach of the impact zone. The severity of the impact depended upon what systems were in place to manage a power outage.  Some companies had small office uninterruptible power supplies for a few computers, major telecommunications companies had extensive backup power systems in a variety of forms to support their systems and customers. Other companies had nothing in place to keep systems running in the event of a power failure so they either had to close shop for a few days or scramble to relocated people or have staff work from home. Traffic intersections without power created severe traffic challenges. That combined with the challenges affecting public transportation, emphasized the reliance companies and infrastructures have on electricity and the need for backup power solutions.

Too often backup power solutions are only thought of once power is interrupted. At that point it is too late and the recovery costs associated with the loss of power are high. When considering whether including a backup power solution is a good investment, consider the impact on your system associated with a power disruption. What are the direct and indirect costs of a system shut down? Direct costs can include lost revenue or  replacement of electrical components that are damaged with an abrupt loss of power. Then there is an urgent need for system servicing, resources may be needed to manage the public, commuters are left to manage through the disruptions, accidents can occur, and safety can be at risk. All of these factors increase the economic and environmental impact of system inoperability. Once the cost of system disruption is realized, the incremental cost of including a backup power solution before there is a power disruption is minimal and the return on investment is quite high.

Backup power is available in a number of technologies. Large facilities or hospitals will have industrial sized backup power generators to support very large power demands. Simple battery backup systems are used where transfer times and power conditioning are not critical. Other applications will use a more sophisticated battery backup power system in the form of a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

Even though backup power solutions are readily available there are still challenges associated with some technologies. Generators are loud and require regular maintenance as well as fuel storage; battery backup systems may not be advanced enough to deal with voltage spikes, short power disruptions, or fast enough to transfer sophisticated equipment to battery power nor robust enough for outdoor applications.

A UPS should be recognized as different and more advanced than a battery backup system. UPS systems offer different design topologies based on the power requirements of the system. UPS systems also offer monitoring and communication capabilities not found in a standard battery backup system. True UPS products offer very short or seamless transfer times to avoid any power losses. However, the challenge with standard off-the-shelf UPS products is they tend to offer a short amount time on backup power (generally less than 30 minutes) where as with UPS solutions designed for ruggedized, outdoor or custom applications it is common to offer extended run times of four to eight hours.

With a better understanding of the need for backup power, it is recommended that system designers and engineers should always specify a backup power solution into systems. This ensures power stability, system protection and maximizes system availability.

Even though the best time to install a UPS is with the initial stages if the project development, retrofitting a UPS into an existing system is certainly manageable although there are costs associated with the installation. In both cases the UPS can be designed, sized and integrated to the exact requirements of the system.

When looking for a UPS solution, consider the following: the UPS should be designed for the intended application.  Are environmental conditions (rain, heat, cold, dirt & dust) an issue? What are the power requirements? Should there be a power failure how much run time is required? Are there specific configuration requirements or space constraints? Do you require accessories or communications options?

With the recent focus on infrastructure development, the timing to integrate a UPS solution into infrastructure systems is perfect. Including technologies that can improve system functionality and provide peace of mind in knowing systems will continue to operate during power outages or power disturbances in applications that support the public’s infrastructure is critical.

Designing, installing, and maintaining infrastructure is costly. System owners are constantly challenged to reduce costs as many systems are publically funded and under strict budgets. Although many planners may consider a UPS an option, the direct and indirect costs that result when a transportation system fails far outweigh the initial cost of including a UPS. Systems can operate flawlessly when good, clean, uninterrupted power is available. When power fluctuations, brown-outs and complete power outages occur, systems come to a quick halt. Preventing this from happening is the prime role of the UPS.

The increasing need for power in infrastructure applications and the public’s reliance on infrastructure systems demand that system owners, designers and integrators take a hard look at what happens to their systems when power is lost or disrupted. They need to recognize that UPS solutions should be a standard requirement to avoid system downtime and the impacts associated with it.

Few companies specialize in UPS solutions for ruggedized or outdoor applications that require extended run-times or custom solutions. One company that is recognized for their commitment to offering ruggedized, unique and customized UPS solutions for a variety of applications is Alpha Technologies Ltd. Alpha has been designing and manufacturing ruggedized outdoor UPS solutions for over 30 years with over two million UPS systems in operation around the world. Alpha has the ability to offer integrators, designers and system owners a reliable UPS solution for their specific application. If they do not have a solution for the particular application, Alpha has the ability and expertise to customize solutions to suit customer requirements.

As the demand for modern infrastructure systems using advanced technologies continues and the automation, operation, management and monitoring of systems is powered by electricity, clean, consistent, uninterrupted power will play a major role in ensuring flawless system operation. The cost to protect and maximize system operation is low and easily justifies the integration of uninterruptible power supply into the infrastructure system.