Energy Efficient Transformers For Reduced Energy Consumption in Steel Industry

Due to its unique production methodology, the steel industry often requires customized transformers. Transformers are a vital component of the energy grid, besides other things they contribute to the efficient production and management of high-quality electricity.

Standard transformers, while under full load operating at 90% to 95% efficiency but their efficiency drops as load lightens. This is usually due to inefficiencies in the transformer's core. Losses in the core remain the same throughout the transformer's operating range, at 100% load, the amount of comparative loss is negligible, however, at reduced loads, and a higher percentage of energy is wasted.

As a matter of fact, transformer loads run between 34% and 50% of their total capacity on average. With most of the electricity used in the US being run through transformers at lower loads, massive amounts of energy are being wasted. This issue is of special relevance to the steel industry which already has a high demand for energy.

Adopting customized cost-effective solutions like NEMA-approved transformers and harnessing solar or wind energy to meet future energy needs can be a good idea to reduce energy consumption in the long run. Especially since alternate energy options will help steel companies avoid the uncertainty of fluctuating international fuel prices.

Keeping in mind that transformers in the steel industry have to operate in conditions of extreme heat, special attention needs to be paid to ensure the safety and reliability of the transformers it designs. Ensure required transformer protection equipment, such as cooling systems with redundancy is delivered and provided according to project requirements.

Most steel companies are under tremendous pressure to keep costs down and stay competitive and, using energy-efficient transformers seems to be one good way of achieving this. Choosing the right transformer can however be a complex task, especially as the needs of a steel company can be highly customized. It is here that experienced companies can partner you through the process of identifying your needs, choosing the right transformer as an energy-saving solution, customizing it to ensure you get the highest returns on your investment, and facilitating its use for the longest time possible.

Services such as power quality monitoring, offered by Icopower ESCO, also help with reducing energy consumption and maximizing savings. Visit www.icopower-esco.com to know more.

4 Significant Benefits of Power Factor Correction

 Power factor correction is one of the many measures that can be applied to electric and power management systems to increase their efficiency. Some of the most significant benefits of power factor correction are:

1. Preventing power factor penalties

Some industrial processing facilities utilize a large number of induction motors to function their pumps, conveyors, and other types of machinery. These induction motors permit the power factor to be intrinsically low for most industrial facilities. Many electric utility companies use a lower power factor to reduce the power factor penalty from your bill.

2. Reducing demand charges

Many electric utility companies charge for maximum metered demand either on the basis of the highest registered demand in kilowatts or a fraction of the highest registered demand in KVA, whichever is bigger. In case the power factor is low, the percentage of the measured KVA will be notably greater than the KW demand. Enhancing the power factor through power factor correction will, therefore, reduce the demand charge, helping to lower electricity bills.

3. The increasing capability of existing circuits

Installing power factor correction capacitors at the edge of existing circuits close to the inductive loads lowers the current flowing in each circuit. This lowered current flow, resulting from improved power factor, can allow the circuit to carry new loads. This prevents the expenses of renovating the distribution network when extra capacity is needed for additional machinery or equipment, saving individuals or companies thousands of dollars in redundant upgrade costs.

4. Voltage power optimization

A lower power factor would mean a higher current flow for any given load. As the line current increases, the voltage drop in the conductor rises at the same time, which could lead to a lower voltage at the equipment. With a better power factor, the voltage drop in the conductor is close to negligible, optimizing the voltage power.

Power factor correction is also one of the finest ways for power quality monitoring and also helps negate resistive losses in the circuit. For more information about power factor correction and energy efficiency financing, feel free to visit www.icopower-esco.com.

 

LED Bulbs - Emerging Energy Efficiency Solutions

 LED lamps have been in use for a very long time now, thanks to their energy efficient technology and longevity. They have largely been used as indicator lights fixed on sockets because of their faint glow and minimal power consumption. However, they have made a mark in the bulb industry for their energy efficiency technologies.

In the early stages of its invention, LED technology had restricted applications because of the limited illumination levels. Over the years, however, the technology has evolved dramatically, enabling the manufacture of high-powered LED lamps that produce light levels equal to incandescent light bulbs of various sizes. Not just that, these advancements have also allowed for diverse sizes of LED lamps, allowing for proportional similarity with traditional bulbs. Though they have made a successful debut in the energy-saving bulb market, their costs remain considerably high. However, their long-term performance and energy-conserving capacity outweigh the cost factor, also rendering a huge saving in electricity bills.

It is not surprising that LED bulbs are also becoming a sought-after option for commercial lighting because of their higher quality of illumination, better brightness, improved definition and lesser energy consumption when compared to their incandescent equivalents. They are also advantageous over energy-efficient CFL bulbs in terms of safety and environmental friendliness, and are considered the next generation lighting solutions as they provide environment-friendly illuminations and economical retrofitting solutions for existing buildings. 

Icopower ESCO can also be contacted for other energy efficiency solutions such as thermography services, installation and maintenance services, solar PV, measurement & verification services, energy monitoring, energy audits, and more. Feel free to visit www.icopower-esco.com to know more. You can reach out to them by dropping them an email at fm@icopower-esco.com or simply dialing +254 20 2330079. 

Get Your Facility Up to Date with LED Lighting Retrofits

Retrofitting a facility simply translates into adding something new to an existing setting. When it comes to lighting, LED lighting retrofits are the most common ones. 

Why? They replace traditional lighting technology across a wide spectrum of lighting applications and can be extremely useful in a variety of lighting applications used for interior lighting, exterior lighting, and small lighting in mechanical applications. 

The three significant reasons why facility owners are largely shifting to LED lighting retrofits are energy efficiency improvements, reduction in operating expenses, and improved lighting quality. However, it is important to understand that the LEDs work somewhat differently than the traditional lighting solutions, and thus, one needs to keep a few things in mind when considering getting a retrofit done. 

Who you turn to for getting the retrofit done matters too? Icopower ESCO, for instance, is known for providing reliable, high quality, high efficiency, and cost-effective lighting products. They use a combination of industry experience, manufacturing partnerships, and logistical capabilities, and design solution-oriented packages around each client's particular goals.

They have partnered with the world’s best manufacturers to deliver the very best in quality, installation and ongoing LED Lighting Retrofit services, and provide luminaires for both private and public infrastructure, namely: Street lights, building illumination (interior and exterior) and customization of the luminaries as per the client’s needs.

Other than LED lighting retrofits, Icopower ESCO can also be contacted for other services such as thermography services, installation and maintenance services, solar PV, voltage optimization systems, measurement & verification services, energy monitoring, energy audits, and more. Feel free to visit www.icopower-esco.com to know more. You can reach out to them by dropping them an email at fm@icopower-esco.com or simply dialing +254 20 2330079. 

The Only Guide You Need to Check Out Before Installing LED Lighting Retrofit

 If you have been holding yourself back from going for a LED lighting retrofit citing how costly it may get, this article is for you!

Contrary to the popular belief, an LED lighting retrofit is a rather efficient and affordable way of upgrading lighting in any facility without replacing the existing fixtures. These are more energy efficient, light up instantly, do not give off UV emissions, and are 100% recyclable. Here’s how!

• LED light bulbs are known to consume approximately 50% lesser energy than their traditional incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen lighting counterparts. This stands true especially when you keep the lights in your apartment or facility on for prolonged periods of time. Thanks to their directional lighting ability, no energy gets wasted and you get better returns on your investment.

• The fact that LED lighting solutions boast of a much better life span then fluorescent bulbs or traditional incandescent bulbs pretty much explains why they do not need frequent repairs or replacement. Statistically speaking, LEDs last for at least 30,000 hours while the fluorescent bulbs have a maximum life expectancy of 10,000 hours. While they offer flawless lighting, they help reduce energy consumption too.

• Considering the fact that LED lights are built with sturdy components, the chances of them being experiencing damage because of shock, vibrations, and external impacts are next to negligible.

• Rapid cycling, more often than not, results in shorter life expectancy for traditional light bulbs while LEDs remain unaffected by it. To conclude, LED lights are well-suited for daylight sensors and commercial flashing light displays too.

Icopower ESCO is a manufacturer-neutral provider of energy-efficient lighting solutions and thus, focuses entirely on reliable, high quality, high electric power efficiency, and cost-effective lighting products. They use a combination of industry experience, manufacturing partnerships, and logistical capabilities to design solution-oriented packages around each client's particular goals.

For more information, visit www.icopower-esco.com. You can also get in touch with them by dialing +254 729606562 or writing to them at fm@icopower-esco.com.

A Few Effective Energy Saving Solutions for Facilities

 Most businesses would be happy to save on their energy bills but don't have the time to research possible changes that would be worth their while. We have made the task easy for you by listing out some of the most popular energy saving solutions:

• Lighting

Switch over your lighting to LED lighting alternatives. LEDs use far less power than either CFLs or the old incandescent bulbs. They also last for 10 years or more, so will reduce the maintenance costs of changing light bulbs. While a complete retrofit of your whole business premises may be a considerable investment, it will pay for itself in less than two years, saving money then on for the next eight years or more. Consider finding a company that offers energy efficiency project financing.

• Heating and cooling

Statistics show that just one degree less on the heating thermostat can save you 8% of energy costs, so it's well worth turning down the heat just that little bit.

• Energy efficient equipment

Select new equipment with a view to energy efficiency. Bear in mind that laptops use up to 90% less energy than standard computers. Ink-jet printers use 90% less energy than laser printers. Choose the right sized copier to suit your usage. Keep all office machinery well maintained, as this will increase efficiency and reduce energy use.

• Movement sensor switches

Encourage people to switch off lights in rooms that aren't in use all the time, such as meeting rooms, toilets and store-rooms. If this doesn't work consider installing movement sensor switches which detect if the room is empty and switch off the light automatically.

Another effective way of saving energy is getting voltage optimization systems installed. Icopower ESCO’s mission is to analyze, design, and implement energy efficiency solutions that will create value for facility owners and operators across all sectors in East Africa and beyond. We work with clients to reduce operating expenses, upgrade and maintain infrastructure, stabilize energy costs, improve infrastructure efficiency, increase energy reliability and conserve the environment by reducing the carbon footprint. Visit www.icopower-esco.com to know more.

How Do Power Quality Analyzers Help Improve Electric Power Efficiency?

 When people who are constantly being bummed because of blackouts and burnouts, the rising price of electricity only adds to their worry. However, installation of equipment such as an electric power quality analyzer helps keep a check on electric power efficiency. In addition to curbing power wastage in a facility, these also help reduce the burden on your electrical supplier. 

A good quality analyzer can help you efficiently calculate the power cleanliness, demand, and actual consumption at a facility. Power cleanliness can be defined as the harmonics that are observed in the electric supply due to fluctuating loads. These harmonics result in the improper functioning of the electrical equipment that can lead to overheating, wear and tear, tripping of circuit breakers, and other dangerous situations that can cause fire hazards. Other than that, the equipment also helps accurately find out the average amount of power required by a device to work properly by taking into account the power needed during peak time, as well as low load phases.

After you are done with analyzing the electricity and the amount of consumption, you can also come up with a power factor. Low power factor suggests more power wastage and this is the very metric that assists the experts in taking corrective measures. You can find an analyzer designed for a single phase or three phase systems depending upon your requirement.

Icopower ESCO is an independent Energy Saving Company in Kenya which develops, implements, and arranges its own financing for projects designed to improve the electric power quality for facilities over a 3-5 years’ time period. They are a leading ESCO in East Africa and Indian Ocean, and they provide comprehensive energy efficiency solutions and project financing services for on-grid corporate, institutional or private business owners. They also help you acquire the best voltage stabilizers in Nairobi. For more information, feel free to visit www.icopower-esco.com.