ELECTRIC SERVICE BUSINESS CONTINUITY OPTIONS

Now, and not after the next incident is the time to look at what impact on your operations might occur should you be affected by the next incident. Many offices and facilities have emergency power supplies, but the majority is designed for life support and safety equipment. Can the emergency power system sustain long duration outages like those caused by recent weather events? If you’re not sure what options exist to protect your business from the ever more frequent long term outages then the following are some options along with their strengths and weaknesses you should consider.

Most utility service companies allow a second electric service as a back-up to the primary electric service. A second utility service costs in excess of what is normally provided a customer and must be paid for by the customer. Alternative services come with additional cost in excess of the initial cost of installation. Utilities will likely assess an excess facility charge, reserve capacity charge and other fees associated with the backup service. Additional customer owned equipment will be necessary at the service switch gear to accommodate switching to the backup service imposing additional upfront and maintenance costs to the customer. This option is feasible for some critical operations that are concerned about “routine” outages. However, during weather related events of the magnitude of recent storms there is high probability the second service would also be out of service. For storm mitigation reasons this is not reliable alternative.

For most commercial operations this is the most feasible alternative for an alternate electric supply during a storm event. An owner needs to consider a sound strategy when researching installation of an emergency backup generator. Should the unit be sized for the entire building? Should the unit be sized to provide power for emergency operations for; life support, emergency and fire safety equipment, service for elevators, critical data systems, and emergency lighting and security? If the strategy is only for emergency supply the process is not that daunting. However, if the strategy is to power the entire building and run as if there was no interruption of the utility electric service, then a more complex system must be considered. These generators are more costly and have additional considerations, costs and risks associated with them. Issues include:

•  Purchase and installation costs
•  Multiple generators
•  Space allocation for generators and associated equipment siting
•  Local zoning and permitting issues
•  Air quality permits

Cogeneration

Cogeneration, often called “combined heat and power “(CHP) is defined as the simultaneous
production of energy and useful heat. Locally produced energy along with the reuse of waste
heat is more efficient then utility produced energy. In theory this is accurate, but, due to
economies of scale, the utility has cost advantages which make the use of waste heat
essential. Waste heat is used for both heating and cooling purposes and can have benefits for
a customer capable of utilizing both.

Cogeneration applications are better suited for new construction or redevelopment projects
as a result of the design and costs concerns. However, cogeneration can be retrofitted into an
existing project but will present some installation and design challenges.

Cogeneration fuel choices are the same for all systems (see below) and must be considered.
However, most cogeneration facilities use natural gas as their primary fuel source. Another
issue for consideration is that the generation is typically sized to meet the thermal load of the
facility and often does not meet the full operational electric load of the site. Therefore,
electric service from the local utility must be installed to meet the electric load beyond what is
supplied by the cogeneration plant. Cogeneration facilities also require maintenance related
downtime and there’s always a chance of un-planned outages due to equipment failure; both
create a situation requiring utility back-up to the cogeneration plant.

Cogeneration (with utility backup)

Businesses who select a cogeneration option require backup electric service from the local
utility and it should be sized to meet all or defined partial amount of the electric load of the
entire site. Similar to utility duplicate service discussed above, there are costs for this service
type from the utility. The utility backup service to the cogeneration plant comes with
additional requirements and costs:

• Excess facility charges
• Reserve capacity charges
• Demand charges and other fees associated with backup service
• Cost and space for utility electric service equipment
• Manual or automatic transfer switching and other safety equipment

Cogeneration (no utility backup “off grid”)

Some recent projects are considering no utility electric service (off grid) by providing all the
energy needs on site. With the advancement in equipment design, cost and reliability this
option is gaining traction. However, it is not for every application. It requires significant capital
cost, redundant design specifications and both a primary and a secondary fuel option,
technical expertise to operate and significant on-going maintenance.
The off grid option is only recommended for new projects and is an unlikely option for existing
facilities. Serious risk assessment associated with equipment outages, equipment
replacement, service contracts, and redundant generation capabilities must be considered.

Distributive Generation

In some areas of the country state regulatory agencies, transmission grid operators and local utilities are considering distributive generation options to enhance local transmission and distribution system reliability in an effort to reduce outage durations. As these programs advance, they offer the opportunity to financially support one or more of the cogeneration options listed above. This option requires significant knowledge of utility rate design, utility policies and interconnection requirements of the utility and other regulatory agencies. In essence you are building a utility grade privately owned electric distribution system within the site perimeter and you’re fully responsible for its operation and maintenance.

Fuel Choice Pros and Cons

Natural Gas	Fuel Oil
Advantages No Fuel Shortage Reduced Emmissions No Fuel Deliveries Required	Advantages Onsite Supply
Disadvantages  Potential For Interruptions in Low Lying Areas Utility Annual Minimum Fees	Disadvantages Air Quality Cost Of Fuel Storage Storage Tanks Permits / Space / Inspections Fuel Contracts Fuel Delivery Interruptions

In Summary

When considering which option meets your business continuity strategy requires a careful analysis of capital, operating and utility costs along with a risk assessment and opportunity must be thoroughly reviewed with a side by side study. Each site presents its own challenges and opportunities to help mitigate business continuity issues. A detailed review of each facility’s susceptibility to natural and manmade disasters along with the availability of local utility infrastructure options is required to ensure a company meets its’ business continuity strategy in the most cost effective and reliable manner.

Sugarloaf Associates, LLC provides comprehensive energy services and procurement strategies, including utility relocation, energy procurement, utility rate tariff and billing issues, green building requirements associated with economic development incentive awards, renewable energy installations, and electric and gas infrastructure assessments with a specialized capability in mission-critical facilities.