In an effort to reduce electricity costs and enhance the reliability of their electrical distribution system, Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) established a cogeneration system at their facility in Hackensack, NJ.
As part of this project, the engineers and field service team collectively designed, developed, and implemented a turnkey solution to meet the customer’s requirements.
Reason for assessing a demand charge
The reason for assessing a demand charge is attributed to the overall electrical grid load
Electrical utility companies bill commercial and industrial customers on the basis of both energy consumption (kWh) and peak demand usage (kW). The peak demand is determined by the utility company as the highest instantaneous power consumption by the customer, measured at any time within a billing cycle.
Utility companies sometimes apply an annual ratchet against a high peak demand. The reason for assessing a demand charge is attributed to the overall electrical grid load and the necessary amount of power generation needed by the electrical utility to supply the increased grid load.
Implemented an automated engineering solution
To save money and reduce the burden on the electrical grid, the team designed and implemented an automated engineering solution to significantly reduce demand charges for the customer.
Using the automated system, the gas generator supplied the peak demand load while reducing peak demand charges from the utility company. In addition to cost savings, the generator system was also configured to act as backup power to the facility in the event of a utility outage.
Features of the cogeneration system
- Paralleling Switchgear with Customized AC/DC Controls
- PLC and HMI System with Historical Trending
- Intertie Connection using SEL-700GT Relaying
- Auto-Synchronization and System Protection
- Load Shedding Scheme for Islanded Operation
To optimize the electrical distribution system for overall functionality, a cogeneration system will help.
