Case History: Power Generator under control with Remote Display.

If you have the right  solution and technology, monitoring a generating set remotely  is an easy task even without main.

Remote control of one or several devices is by now a common need for many applications although such need is not yet widespread when dealing with diesel generators.

One of our costumer who in Sweden deals with rental services for motion picture events decided to renew his generators fleet with our new Tesla generating sets taking advantage of  the remote management of  the generators.

His main problem consisted in not having  the direct command of the generator from his workstation and consequently he had to dedicate an assistant just to monitor the generating set constantly.

Who’s working on audio services absolutely  knows the problem: Supervising permanently the generator’s parameters and the fuel level is essential to avoid problems.  Providing events’ services means to ensure a flawless work and not getting the generator under control is for sure a big mistake.

There’s a common concern  in most remote control  systems and it consists in the reliability of the system , often subject  to local network’s configuration problems, Wi-Fi availability and even in the complexity of the system itself.

Our solution has been accepted by the customer since it seemed to be the most reliable one. We equipped the switchboard with a remote display panel connected to the VEO main controller of the generating set with a serial Port RS485.

Why RS485? The simplicity of the RS485 serial transmission make it the fastest and most trustworthy data transmission system. Indeed, within 10 metres distance it can reach a speed of 35Mpbs and it is also a cheap and easy to install system.

How does our remote display work?

It perfectly reproduces the generator’s display allowing to work as if the operator were in front of the generator. All the generator’s parameters and messages  are shown simultaneously on both displays.

Why not a Wireless system?

Actually, in a context such as that of a motion picture event or any other commercial event where hundreds of electrical wires are lying on the floor, managing the generating set  with a wireless system doesn’t make any sense. At least we believe it isn’t the best solution for our customer even if it would be more lucrative for us.

Watch the below Video...

STADIUM AND GENERATING SETS: NO ONE SEES THE PENALTY KICK!

During a sport event blackout is something extremely harmful and potentially dangerous.

Last May we were involved in supplying a 1600 kVA generator for a Qatar Stadium. 

For the occasion I was able to interface directly with FIFA to get information about the specificities required for the use of a generator during FIFA events.

FIFA introduces the subject in a very clear way:

"The delay or cancellation of an event due to the lack of electrical power is unacceptable."

A careful evaluation of the reliability of the main source is useful to the designer to determine capacity and size of all the  backup equipment.

We therefore wanted to analyze FIFA requirements and outline possible solutions, here is the result:

It is  FIFA   itself who  suggested this table.

Practical solutions for a Backup System in a stadium

The first solution represents the main power line disposed in two sources, a preferred and an alternate one (diagram a). 

Diagram A

In the second solution both utility services are in use and can optionally be configured as main and reserve with the help of manual or automatic switches. (Diagram b).

Diagram B

In the event of a Network failure, back-up power should start immediately, but there will be a time leg due to the seconds needed to start up the fuel and the load switching and takinf off, therefore, the back-up must consider and include some autonomy while the generator starts up since field lighting, which is typically a high-intensity discharge (HID), once it turns off, it requires several minutes to restart and the broadcasting will be interrupted.

This timing range is covered in a variety of ways, including special generators (rotating UPSs) and Uninterruptable Power supply system (UPS).

FIFA establishes a clear requirement of autonomy regarding the amount of back-up power that should have the capacity to operate for a minimum of three hours during an outage.

A stadium is considered a "high availability" system, or a system that is continuously operating for a long period of time.

The measure of the reliability of a system like that of a stadium can be expressed by referring to an ideal percentage of 100% of the use.

The maximum use percentage of the system called "five nines" or 99,99% means a downtime of only five minutes per year.

During a season, a stadium will definitely experience far more than five minutes of stop for repair and maintenance. However, idle times during an event must be zero for some equipment to avoid any interruption. This would require a power of absolute continuity.

Other equipment could tolerate the startup time of the generator (about ten seconds) and some parts of the stadium could tolerate even more.

Hence, the classification of load types should be considered to determine the amount of capacity and size of the redundant units of back-up generators and the UPS system.

Below we find what might be a breakdown of utilities according to a priority classification:

Security (generator available in 10 seconds)

- fire-fighting pump

- fire alarm and detection system

- smoke ventilation systems

- lifts dedicated to fire prevention

- eventual illumination of medical department

Event and Security (Generator UPS available in less than 60 seconds)

- indoor and outdoor lighting

- special departments (data / telecommunications)

- PBX telephony

- security and access monitoring

- giant video screens

Essential event (generator in less than 90 seconds)

- tables

- control room and control panel

- turnstile monitoring system

- police station

Critical event (UPS and generator, zero idle time)

- event lighting

- game control center

- police control illumination

Each section of the load would involve different transfer, wiring, and distribution systems, and the UPS may be static or rotating but will still require additional back-ups from the generator or a battery pack with at least four hours of autonomy.

 The most famous blackout in the world of sporting events

Surfing the web reveals news of singular and sudden blackouts  you can not imagine they can happen, each caused by different and more or less unpredictable incidents.

NEW ORLEANS During the second half of Sunday's Super Bowl, lights on half of the Superdome roof suddenly turned off. Internet connections in the press room stopped and lights off. After the sudden interruption, many of the 71.024 viewers began to murmur. The failure of about two minutes was one of the most incredible moments in the history of the Super Bowl.

In 2014 to SAN PAOLO A few minutes from the start of the World Cup's inaugural race between Brazil and Croatia, in the plant vip sector is lacking electricity and a generator is literally burning.  

In 2015 in Cagliari During a luxury friendly match between Cagliari and Real Zaragoza, after a few minutes the game is suspended because the two headlamps suddenly go out. The blackout continues until the end of the first half and the referee decides to resume the game even if the lighting is only partial.

In 2016 in Palermo During the match between Palermo and Torino, for a few minutes, due to a blackout, some of the lights at the Barbera Stadium have stopped working. Rosanero fans answered with irony trying to light up the cell phone and they chanted a chorus: "Zamparini pays the light" ...

In 2011 in Padua A high-ranking clash on the Euganean Stadium on the Calcio Serie B between the Padua and Turin captain, started to look fought and enjoyable, but that would have turned out to be a real mockery for the Grenades.

During the second race of the race, unusual extra-sporting events are taking place, affecting the game: the lights of the Euganean race continue to fail, with first partial and then total blackouts. Just during the first of these, partial, comes the grid of Ruopolo's advantage that mocks Coppola's grenade goalkeeper who complains of low visibility.

Turin appealed against Padua who there is a danger of a 25-30. 000 euro.

Former Padua and Turin, Roberto Muzzi declared: "Saturday was a great match as far as it was played. The black-out? These things happen, it can happen. "

In 2017 in the race between Flamengo and Vasco da Gama , A game destined to go to history as one of the most incredible. During the race a Blackout left the stadium lit up exclusively by the fans' smartphone lights on the stairs.

Surely in all above mentioned cases more than anyone has generated beyond the obvious economic losses a serious image damage that does not erase certain paying money.

How important is a generator in a stadium?

The answer to this question is "five nine".

Rather the right question would be how much the security and structure manager is willing to risk? What's more, how much is the Calcio team playing matches against you?

Anyone who is not willing to risk turns to a specialized company and is concerned about having the best backup system possible.

We can clearly say that in a structure such as the Juventus Stadium (Allianz Sadium) the precautions taken in this regard are definitely higher than those adopted at other stages where we are often relied on generators to use Shipyard, installed as if there was no tomorrow And perpetually in derogation to something.

It smiles like the unsuccessful generators with obsolete technology, which requires an operator to go directly to the generator to check fuel levels and operational status, while the rest of the world using up-to-date technology is sitting In a steering cabin to handle everything comfortably from a terminal.

It's as if to see if there's still fuel in the car you need to get out of the car and personally test the level in proximity through the charging cap!

Who knows how many times we hear the choir from the Curve

Or some of the hopeless romantic presidents like to see the stadium lit  by the fans' cell phones.

Power Generator installed at Alessandria Stadium (Italy).

UGANDA: PHOTOVOLTAIC + TF80 GENERATOR + BATTERY STORAGE.

The generator TF80  is operating in Uganda near Lake Victoria.

It is a Generator successfully integrated into a modern power plant operating in Island mode with the  purpose of supporting the storage system connected to a photovoltaic park with more than 800 panels.

The plant is equipped with an "Energy Management System". An advanced energy management system between the various components, and a "Battery Management System", that is, an intelligent battery management system.  

The plant provides electricity to over 500 domestic and commercial users, enabling them to have a continuous service of lighting and power supply to various electrical devices for domestic and commercial purposes, such as mills and ice machines,  supporting therefore the fragile local economy based almost exclusively on fishing. The use of electricity is handled via a cellular prepaid system, and is monitored through individual smart meters connected to each other as well as  remotely.

“I work with a Company that has already purchased the TF80...it is reassuring to know that Orefice support is very responsive...”

How does this generation plant act in Island mode operation and what is the generator for?

This plant bears the distinction of being placed in a context where the power grid does not exist, so all the produced energy is consumed by the users or stored in a Vanadium accumulator battery.

The generator unit comes into operation only when maintenance is performed on the storage and / or the production part, but also in case of excessive power demand for the plant itself.

Are there any other similar power plants?

In the past we have provided generators for similar applications with different powers, starting from 2 kW with generator 24 VDC or 48 VDC, all automated to start the generator automatically when the charge of the batteries is low.

All these applications, regardless of power, have in common pursuit of energy continuity, which is always the basis of our solutions.

Generator with high-temperature resistant frame.

As is known, in a generator the heat spreads rapidly if they are not taken precautions to isolate thermally sensitive parts. 

The hottest components of a generator are mainly, but not only, the exhaust manifold, the exhaust pipe, the turbine compressor and the silencer. For these parts the most scrupulous manufacturers adopt the measures capable of limiting contact with hot parts and at the same time contain the temperatures radiated by the same.

Sometimes there are situations in which contribute to 'increase of a generator set temperature and the environment that hosts it there are external factors such as: the temperature at which the generator is in operation or the presence in the proximity of the generator group of sources of heat.

Some situations must be unfailingly avoided during installation, however, there are conditions that can not always be met. Take for example the case of an installation from 10 kVA generator, on open base, with from 50 liter tank incorporated. The customer must use the generator at a factory / store Pyrotechnic items, especially in service to a plant fire pressurization. Despite the full compliance of the generator with respect to the rules and to the system, it has been provided with a TY10 liquid containment tank resistant to high temperatures and direct flames.

Such a characteristic of resistance is possible thanks to the use of a frame with increased thickness of the plates and to a special paint finish with powder resistant to over 800 ° C for a limited exposure time.

This is not a useful finishing only to preserve the coating. Compared to the standard finishes, it slows down the spread of the heat under the same conditions and temperature.

This solution allows not only to contain any spillage of flammable liquids but to avoid the triggering in the presence of external heat sources.

In the past this special finish has been provided and tested positively for applications with a high direct exposure of the sun and on the control and switchgear.