Issue 4 / August 2011

In This Issue:
• The Impact of the Tier 4 Rule in Generator Specification
• Be prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Irene
• National Power Corporation Introduces the Eaton 3S
• New Product Line Available from NPC – OceanAire
• Featured Project: Verizon Applied Technology Center
• Have You Checked Your Emergency Power System Lately?

Are You Specifying for Tier 4?

The Impact of the Tier 4 Rule in Generator Specification

The Tier 4 emissions standards for non-road diesel engines adopted by the EPA in May 2004 were slated to be applied beginning in 2008 and continuing through 2015. Diesel-fueled generator sets above 120 – 125kW became subject to Tier 4 at the beginning of 2011 so generator manufacturers have begun incorporating Tier 4 compliant engines into many new products of this size. However, the rule does not impact emergency standby generator sets. Most generator manufacturers offer products with engines that are configurable to either support Tier 4 or an earlier standard. Engineers, facility managers, and others responsible for purchasing generators need to be aware of how Tier 4 impacts the generators they are specifying, and on what timeline those generators need to comply with the standards.

Tier 4 and the Differences Between “Emergency” vs. “Non-Emergency” Generator Sets

The EPA differentiates between generators used for emergency power and those used in non-emergency applications. This is because the running times of emergency power generators, and therefore their emissions, tend to be significantly less than non-emergency generators.

As a result, the EPA defines an emergency power generator as “a generator whose sole function is to provide back-up power when electric power from the local utility is interrupted” (Seitz 1995). By comparison, a non-emergency generator is quite simply one that is not being used exclusively for emergency power:

Non-emergency standby power
Prime power
Load management/peak shaving
Electric power rental and other mobile uses
Storm avoidance

In the future, emergency-use diesel engines built after the effective date of the Tier 4 regulation for their power class will display a permanent label indicating that they are for emergency use only. This will make it easier for all those involved to identify the engine—and the generator it drives—as being for emergency use only

The Phases of Tier 4 Implementation

To make it easier for manufacturers to comply with Tier 4, it is being regulated in two phases, each of which defines emissions caps based upon engine power. The first phase is called Tier 4 interim (Tier4i), and the second phase is called Tier 4 final (Tier4f). Tier 4i is effective from 2011 – 2012, while Tier 4f begins in 2013 and continues through 2015.

Because of their lower emissions potential, the EPA is allowing emergency power generators to continue operating at pre-Tier 4 standards for the foreseeable future. Those rated 56 – 560kW can maintain their existing Tier 3 rating until 2017, while those rated above 560kW can maintain their existing Tier 2 rating until 2017. The only exceptions would be in California and other non-attainment areas that have adopted stricter air-quality standards.

By comparison, non-emergency generators are subject to Tier 4. Those that are used in non-emergency standby applications or for rental/mobile use are required to comply with Tier 4f regulations immediately.

Be prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Irene

Federal officials have warned that Irene could cause flooding, power outages or worse all along the East Coast as far north as Maine, even if it stays offshore. The projected path has gradually shifted to the east, though Irene is still expected to make landfall as a major hurricane in North Carolina sometime over the weekend. It is then expected to continue trudging northward.

“Ready America” recommends following these steps to protect your family and business:

1. Have a basic emergency supply kit with the following items:

Water. One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food. At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

2. Create a family emergency plan

Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
Teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc.

3. Keep yourself informed

Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happened where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them. Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

For more information http://www.ready.gov/

National Power Corporation Introduces the Eaton 3S

The sleek, new Eaton® 3S delivers high efficiency and energy-saving battery backup and surge protection for your premium home and office equipment — ready to go right out of the box.

Eaton 3S features and benefits:

Ease-of-use: The plug-and-play functionality of the 3S allows you to start backing up your equipment the moment you take the unit out of the box. Gain automatic integration with Windows, Mac and Linux with a simple connection to a USB port.

EcoControl: The 3S manages your energy efficiency for you with EcoControl Master/Control outlets. When the item using the Master outlet (e.g.,your computer) is idle or shut down, then items using the Control outlets (e.g., printer, scanner, fax)are automatically powered down – rewarding you with up to 30% in energy savings over a typical battery backup.

Modern design: The sleek design of the 3S allows you to display it alongside your high-tech equipment for a sophisticated look. This unit can also be wall or desk-mounted for additional space savings.

Premium protection: The high-efficiency design of the Eaton 3S provides premium power protection for up to 10 devices, including those using data lines.

Three Year Warranty: The 3S warranty covers both the UPS and the batteries for three years. No other manufacturer in the industry offers as comprehensive a warranty.

Battery Runtime: The 3S provides up to 45 minutes of battery backup.

New Product Line Available from NPC – OceanAire

National Power Corporation, a leading Southeast distributor of power solution products, has partnered with OceanAire to distribute their portable air conditioning units. Portable cooling units are the trusted solution in situations when a cooling system is not operational. Allowing businesses to remain open through a loss of air-conditioning. They are also a convenient and cost-effective way to provide supplemental cooling to areas that may require colder temperatures, such as:

Server/computer rooms
Labs
Hospitals
Manufacturing facilities
Repair shops
Outdoor venues

They can also be used to cool spaces that don’t have access to a built-in HVAC system.

Find out more about OceanAire products or call 1-800-790-1672.

Feature Project: Verizon Applied Technology Center

Location: Raleigh, NC • Start-up: January 2011 • 4x300kW Natural Gas MPS modules • Redundancy and flexibility to expand was reason customer chose the modular power system. Natural gas was required due to location of generator sets.

This project was installed in north Raleigh, NC during a service upgrade at an existing facility. Verizon wanted to utilize a portion of a parking lot behind the building, and near the incoming utility. National Power Corporation proposed a solution with a 4 x MG300 300kW Natural Gas Fueled Modules, totaling 1200kW.

Originally designed around a MD600 600kW Diesel Fueled Modular power system that could be increased to 2 or 3 modules redundancy as load increased. High voltage power lines were located above the area Verizon planned to install the generator sets. The local energy company would not allow the large amount of diesel fuel required to be stored under the power lines. This required Verizon Wireless to choose between relocating the generator sets or using natural gas as a fuel. The cost of large 600kW gas generator sets and paralleling switchgear was prohibitive. They chose the Generac 300kW natural gas fueled MG300 modules, and decided to install four units at stage one instead of waiting to grow to 900kW. The current system can be expanded to six modules if required for redundancy, or if load grows above 900kW.

Have you checked your emergency power system lately?

With severe weather making its way to our area, a quick check of your EPS could prove to be valuable time spent. The most effective way to quickly test your generator and transfer switch is to place the transfer switch in “TEST” mode. Call our service department if you need assistance or emergency service. 7/24 emergency number 888-646-8596