Strategies for Modernising Your Industrial Power System

Industrial power systems have been reliable for many years. However, they're beginning to lag behind when it comes to fulfilling modern energy requirements. Traditional systems are mostly large-scale, rigid and difficult to customise for varied applications. This means that the emergent needs of factories (such as smart technology and energy efficiency) are rarely accommodated by legacy power systems.

To remain competitive, you need to develop a strategy for modernising your industrial power system. Newer systems are flexible, capable of handling larger loads and more cost effective to maintain. You may be wondering how to get started with modernising your electric power system. Here are four strategies you should consider for your power plant.

1. Decentralise electricity generation centres

In the past, most industrial power plants were few and far between. This high level of centralisation would result in maintenance complications, where one failed grid would cause widespread shutdowns in supply. You can avoid this problem by decentralising your electrical installations. Consider spreading the load to multiple generation centres so your core operations are being powered in a balanced fashion.

Furthermore, each centre should be capable of handling the entire load by itself for a specific period. This reduces downtime while boosting overall efficiency. Furthermore, you can exploit alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar to boost electricity generation.

2. Consider the economic and demographic environment

Consumers are using electricity in many different ways. From high-capacity devices in homes to energy-efficient appliances in buildings, your industrial plant should be capable of adapting to the varying needs of the modern customer. One way to do this is by installing variable frequency drives (VFDs) that are capable of adjusting to newer electrical devices.

VFDs allow operators to get more control over residual/total power output, giving your power plant the flexibility of delivering electrical supply on demand. They also limit overloading, which reduces downtime in modern HVAC systems and other high-capacity appliances.

The end result is a power plant that can generate electricity to meet multiple demand levels. For example, homes that are looking to save on energy consumption can be supplied with electricity using the same infrastructure as those that drive power-hungry properties.

3. Utilise smart grids

Smart technology is the new trend that's taking industries by storm. Smart grids make electricity management easier, allowing you to use multiple devices when monitoring consumption.

Even more encouraging is that smart grids provide a framework for increased automation. From motors to feeder switches, you can reduce the cost of real-time communication and maintenance, thus improving the bandwidth of your power generation system.

Contact a commercial electrician to learn more.

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