Take control of power on your construction site.

The challenge was to monitor power usage on a construction site and ensure the site load was kept below the 100A grid supply capacity. Our Erica energy management system was set up to control power to 6 cabins which were wired to allow heating control and record power usage for reporting.

Background

> The erica energy management tool was connected to monitor all power to the cabins, lights, sockets and heating.

> Cabins were wired to allow power switching control of the heating circuits, lights were on PIR sensors.

> A timed power saving schedule was created to limit non-working hours power, both during the week and weekends.

> On site team worked nights and weekends.

> On site set up of Erica was done in less than 2 hours, and power schedule planned with on-site team.

How much power did the site save?

> The power saved was calculated as the difference between a non- power-controlled reference period and power controlled period.

> This will vary due to the time of year, mainly dependent on weather, but also occupancy.

> To get an initial indication, the power saving function was turned off from 24th to 30th January 2022.

> The total power used during the week was recorded as the base power need.

> The power saving impact was measured the following week with the schedule on.

Reference Week

Monday 24th to Sunday 30th January:

> Peak was 28kVA

> All outputs enabled for 24 hours

> Energy used 1,326 kWh

> Typical load <12 kVA

Power Saving Week

Monday 31st January to Sunday 6th February:

> Peak was 32 KVA, but typically < 20 KVA

> Time profile set to pulsing on and off to keep cabins from going too cold during the day, and full power during working periods at night and 48 hour weekend working

> Power used 892 kWh

Day Energy

Power Saving mode off - 602kWh

Power Saving mode on - 470kWh

Savings - 132kWh

Night Energy

Power Saving mode off - 724kWh

Power Saving mode on - 422kWh

Savings - 302kWh

> Power loads were within the 100A 3 phase feed, with no overloads detected. This was achieved by selectively enabling heating in the cabins to avoid all heating on at the same time.

> Weekends were particularly heavy use and could be optimized further

> Further adjustments could be made to increase savings with more information on work patterns.

Energy Used by Cabin with power saving

> Timer set up to keep offices warm

> Container set at low duty cycle to prevent cold temperatures only