White Paper: Evaluating Backup Generation
This white paper for the Olando Utilities Commission explains why backup power is an affordable option for commercial customers. The challenge was to sell the service without implying that OUC service was in any way unreliable.
Backup generation is a strategy for ensuring your business can stay 'in business' even during a temporary power interruption. The technology behind the most common types of systems is actually quite mature. That's a good thing since mature systems tend to be (1) robust (that is, they seldom break), (2) simple (which means maintenance and support are easy), and (3) affordable (because of economies of scale and wide availability).
Typical system componentsA typical backup generation system includes a generator, transfer switch, and battery charger. A system designed for the demands of business ranges from about the size of a refrigerator to the dimensions of a small outbuilding. It is permanently installed outdoors or in a specially designed equipment room within a structure. An enclosure, sound attenuators, and fuel tanks are also sometimes part of an installation.
The heart of any system is its backup generator, which is essentially a self-contained electrical plant. Several technologies are widely used for generating current but combustion engines – like those used in vehicles – are the most common. They can be fueled by natural gas, LP gas, or diesel.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| OUC_WHITEPAPER.PDF | 120.78 KB |