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Articles by Brian Rener
Kinetic energy storage: what to know about a dynamic UPS
UPS insights Dynamic UPS systems offer the same functionality as a static UPS system coupled with a separate generator, but provide a solution that requires less space, produces less waste and costs less to run over the life of the facility. Use of a dynamic UPS is a cost-effective alternative to large-scale static UPS systems where on-site generation is used to support extended interruptions.
Know specific, unique applications of generators in mission critical facilities
Generator insights: Topics include code requirements for the load type to be powered, backup, standby and emergency generators. Special facilities such as data centers, hospitals or campuses may lead to considerations for medium-voltage or paralleling systems. Additional systems considerations include a growing desire for sustainable and renewable alternatives to traditional diesel and natural gas fuels.
How to know where to place generator docking stations
Generator docking stations have rapidly become a common piece of equipment to accompany generator installations. The increased use of docking stations can be attributed to owners’ desire for increased resiliency and because of recent code requirements in NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC).
Case study: Hospital tower requires arc energy reduction | Consulting - Specifying Engineer
The project design for a new hospital bed tower will include a new normal power utility service and a new generator system with associated normal and emergency branch panels to serve the building. The new building will use a 480/277-volt, 3-phase, 4-watt plus ground service from the utility. The goal of this example is to design the arc energy reduction system for the electrical equipment over 1,200 amps that is required by NFPA 70 (2023): National Electrical Code to have arc energy reduction.
Superior designs achieve arc flash safety in building electrical systems | Consulting - Specifying Engineer
Arc flash analysis is an important piece of designing electrical systems, especially in large amperage and utility service equipment applications Learning Objectives Gain an understanding of what arc flash is, what can cause it and why it is dangerous if not considered properly in design. Review the code dictated safety requirements, such as working areas, key terms and personal protective equipment guidelines.
How to prevent shock and arc flash hazards in electrical systems | Consulting - Specifying Engineer
This article serves as a guide to understanding electrical hazards and establishing electrically safe work environments Learning Objectives Identify what electrical hazards to look out for. Understand the basics of existing codes and guidelines for safety-related work practices. Recognize ways to reduce risk while working on or near electrical equipment. Hazard insights Shock and arc flash hazards can cause serious injury or death.
Video: Arc flash mitigation
Learning objectives Understand major codes and standards related to arc flash mitigation design, such as NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584.1, plus other industry practices. Learn design techniques, including pros and cons, that will reduce arc flash incident energy. Use electrical power system software to simulate different mitigation approaches and system operations. Know that mitigating arc flash through design is paramount to electrical safety.
How to mitigate arc flash hazards in medium-voltage electrical systems
Mitigating arc flash hazards in medium-voltage systems could be performed in synergy to achieve optimal system reliability and safety Protective relays are the brain and intelligence behind a medium-voltage protective device. They are critical infrastructure for proper medium-voltage system operation and protection and increase system reliability.
Four areas that affect electrical safety in electrical, power systems
Learning Objectives Understand the key issues associated with arc flash and electrical safety in general. Appreciate the importance of electrical room design and safe working space. Learn the basics of safe lighting design for both maintenance and egress. Electrical safety insights Electrical safety requires several areas of expertise: System design, arc flash mitigation, room design, testing and commissioning and egress lighting.
Case study: Laboratory combines lighting and life safety lighting
SmithGroup was tasked with designing the lighting for a laboratory renovation for a major university system located in the Midwest. Because it was a laboratory, target illuminance within the laboratory space was designed around a 50 footcandle (fc) average at the work plane. Rather than designing separate egress lighting, it was more cost-effective to connect select light fixtures to a life safety power source than to provide separate dedicated emergency lighting fixtures.
Data centers are a hot market-don't waste the heat!
Data centers and high-performance computing centers always require cooling and constantly reject heat. When built as standalone facilities, this heat is rejected and any opportunity to recover it is lost. SmithGroup has successfully implemented ways to integrate data centers in mixed-use sites, utilizing waste heat to optimize the energy demands of the buildings.
Data Centers Are a Hot Market — Don’t Waste the Heat!
Since data centers require continuous cooling (expelling waste heat throughout the year), mixed-use buildings or campus settings provide opportunities to employ waste heat recovery from the data center and reduce overall energy consumption. Data centers and high-performance computing centers always require cooling and constantly reject heat. When built as stand-alone facilities, this heat is rejected, and any opportunity to recover it is lost.
Designing power systems in mission critical environments
By Brian Rener, PE, LEED AP; and Brandon Stanley, PE, LEED AP BD+C May 21, 2020 Learning objectives Determine options for mission critical switchgear, transformers and uninterruptible power supplies. Understanding voltage levels and standards. Review transformer types and the trade-offs of different specifications. Mission critical facilities typically require electrical engineers to design and specify significant amounts of power to increase reliability, limit outages and provide for redundancy.
Considerations for electrical testing and commissioning
The need for testing and commissioning electrical equipment and systems varies by project, client, system, and building codes. By Brian Rener, PE, LEED AP, SmithGroup, Chicago March 14, 2019 Figure 3: Parallelling generators on switchgear requires careful testing and simulation of possible operating scenarios to confirm control sequences. Courtesy: SmithGroup Learning objectives Understand the differences between electrical testing and commissioning.
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