Software option turns circuit breaker into a power controller
06 May 2015
Optimising power consumption with intelligent software that disconnects non-priority loads: ABB’s Emax 2 Ekip power controller helps you to manage power consumption in your building.
ABB is helping commercial and industrial buildings optimise power consumption with the Emax 2 Ekip power controller load management software. This is an option that is offered with the new Emax 2, a smart low voltage air circuit breaker that has been recognised by the 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' (LEED) rating system for green buildings.
To manage energy consumption, the Emax 2 Ekip switches electricity supply off to non-essential equipment and back on again as soon as acceptable power levels are reached. Intelligent decision-making is achieved with software that uses advanced algorithms to decide when it is appropriate to switch the power, while maintaining the overall functionality or productivity of the connected equipment. ABB's Rob McCaskie explains:
“Buildings can take advantage of intelligent load reduction, especially during peak times when power demand can result in excessive fees or even blackouts. We have developed a tool for customers to establish the savings this technology can deliver: our Emax 2 Ekip Power Controller calculator.
“Replacing existing traditional breakers with the Emax 2 has the potential to achieve annual savings of 5.8 million megawatt-hours. This is the equivalent electric consumption of 1.4 million European households per year.”
The ABB Low Voltage Products’ new technical centre in Bergamo, Italy, is already reaping the benefits from the Emax 2 Ekip Power Controller. The new building, which is equipped with advanced automation systems, is able to reduce power consumption during high-demand hours with ABB’s Emax 2 Ekip Power Controller.
This saves costs and optimises the overall operation of the electrical system. Embedded in the Emax 2 breaker, the Ekip power controller intelligently limits the 400kW of HVAC loads, which is equivalent to the power usage of more than 100 apartments. As a result, utility costs are significant reduced and estimated to save the company £8,700 annually.
Another example is Vilinius University in Lithuania, which decided to take advantage of Ekip for its new Life Sciences Centre, an impressive 20,000 square metre building. The developers chose the power controller because of its ability to control maximum electrical loads and then automatically shut off non-essential equipment should this be needed. This is a critical function for the university as high consumption during peak hours is restricted by the public utility and could cause unexpected power disconnections.
Readers can get additional information about the savings they can achieve with the Emax 2 Ekip power controller by using the online 'Power Controller Calculator'.
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