Product category:
Waste-water handling, monitors + treatment
News Release from: Siemens Automation and Drives | Subject: EnviroRangers in SWW
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 April 2005
Pump controller reduces energy costs for
SWW
EnviroRangers in pumping stations are connected to the SWW telemetry network using built-in Modbus protocols, enabling central control to add an energy saving strategy feature
In any wastewater pumping station, the pumps are high-energy users - and managing energy costs is an ongoing challenge made even more important since the introduction of the Climate Change Levy Energy unit costs have differential rates according to the time of day and season, and can increase overall costs by up to 15 per cent
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 10 Apr 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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During high cost periods, additional charges based upon transmission charges (triads) can occur during which time users are notified to reduce energy consumption.
Notification can come at short notice -- even within a few hours of the period -- requiring quick adjustments to avoid added costs.
As part of an initiative to reduce overall operating costs, South West Water sought strategies to save energy and manage escalating energy costs.
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South West Water holds the water and sewerage appointments for the South West of England -- an area servicing 1.5 million residents.
The company worked with Siemens Automation and Drives Process Instrumentation and Analytics to test and refine the EnviroRanger, a new state-of-the art pump controller.
Following a trial with one unit over a six month period, the region installed eight EnviroRanger ERS 500 controllers in seven pumping stations dedicated to saving energy costs as well as control.
The Solution resulting is as follows.
Echomax ultrasonic transducers send reliable level measurement signals to the EnviroRanger, which processes and logs the information.
Because the Enviroranger device features patented Sonic Intelligence advanced echo processing technology, it is capable of delivering reliable, repeatable measurement.
Thirty EnviroRangers installed across the region are connected to the SWW telemetry network using built-in Modbus protocols via Serck PX24 telemetry outstations.
This gives remote monitoring and control capabilities from the central control room.
Previously, each station required a level measurement system, programmable logic controller, and remote terminal unit for telemetry.
EnviroRanger eliminates the need for multiple systems because it provides all the functionality required to control pumps, collect data, and communicate over the network.
Real-time pump control avoids pumping during the peak cost periods.
This economy pumping regime pumps the well down to its lowest level before the premium rate period, and then maintains a higher level during the peak tariff period.
A storm detection feature detects high rates of inflow and automatically switches back to normal pumping in a storm.
This avoids overflows, ensures compliance with environmental regulations and minimises energy use in peak tariff periods.
EnviroRanger monitors pump efficiency to remove a failed pump from operation, switch to a healthy pump, and flag a maintenance alarm.
This is a useful tool for asset management.
It also reduces the need for routine manual site inspections, saving staff time and freeing them for other tasks.
"The key to achieving operating cost reductions is to use all the features of the EnviroRanger," says Robin Lennox, ICA Specialist with South West Water.
"It costs no more to use all the features than only one or two and eliminates the need for a PLC.
Serial communications with our telemetry system simplifies cable installation providing enhanced remote diagnostics." Automating with EnviroRanger enables the region to effectively their energy usage by adjusting pump settings according to time of day and conditions.
"We estimate we have cut our energy costs by almost 10% at certain sites.
We have had a rapid return on our investment over the first year.".
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