Energy Management Services WA

1. Capacity Charges

The cost of electricity is determined more by when you use it, rather than how much you consume. Capacity charges generally amount to around 25% of electricity charges and are expected to increase. Significant users may find it viable to reduce or even eliminate this charge by making minor changes to their usage pattern. Those savings come as a reward for not contributing to the need to build extra capacity to service only a very small number of hours of network annual peak demand time. We can advise how capacity charges may be reduced by following peak shaving advices and/or the addition of solar and batteries.

2. LED

LED lights typically result in savings of more than 50% compared to fluorescent lights, or 75% compared to high bay lights. That makes for a very quick payback.

Due to their longer life, replacement costs are reduced. They also emit less heat.

3. Batteries / Hybrid Power

A generator and/or batteries combined with hybrid inverters, can be added to solar to provide power where you don’t have access to the grid as well as to ensure continuity of supply. That’s becoming more important with further grid outages forecast.

We’ve implemented combination battery/generator systems in areas where continuity of supply caused operational problems. 

4. Power Upgrades

Anything that reduces your draw from the grid may eliminate the need for costly upgrades. Draw from the grid can be reduced by any of the following:

• Solar
• Batteries
• Generator
• Power factor correction

5. Power Factor Correction (PFC)

Power factor correction relates to impedance. In certain situations, up to 25% of electricity coming in is wasted. Depending on your network tariff, correcting power factor can be simple and carry a big payback through lower electricity charges, as well as operational efficiencies that can include:

1. Reduced breakdowns/extended equipment life – Higher voltage resulting from a poor power factor can damage equipment.
2. Delaying the need to upgrade a transformer – If you’re getting close to the maximum draw allowed from your transformer, PFC may eliminate the need for a very expensive transformer upgrade.
3. Reduced need to run a backup generator if the transformer limit is reached.
4. Reduced need to invest in variable speed drives.
5. Addressing:
   1. Flickering lights.
   1. Switches tripping.
   1. Blown fuses.

6. Gas Tariff Negotiations

For more information, please call EMS on (08) 9277 5950 or email: otherenergymanagement@emswa.net.au