Cold UK Winter

It looks like the UK is in for a cold winter this year, and that could mean scheduled power cuts. The National Grid has said that it is prepared to implement “load shedding” measures, if necessary, which would involve shutting off power to certain areas for short periods of time in order to prevent widespread blackouts.

This has led to some concern among businesses and households about how they will cope with potential power outages. For those who have Aton Green Storage systems, that concern is somewhat lowered by the inclusion of EPS (Emergency Power Supply). Let’s take a deep dive into what this is and how owners of Aton battery systems can benefit:

WHAT IS EPS?

EPS, or emergency power supply, is a backup power system that provides power in the event of an outage or other emergency. EPS systems are typically used in critical applications where a loss of power could lead to serious consequences, such as data loss or equipment damage.

Aton Emergency Power Supply systems consist of an Aton battery, and an inverter. The battery can provide backup power for shorter outages or emergencies. The inverter converts the DC power from the batteries into AC power, which can be used by most electrical equipment.

Emergency Power Supply systems are often used in hospitals, data centres, and other critical facilities. They are also becoming increasingly common in residential and commercial applications as the risk of power outages increases.

There are three main types of Emergency Power Supply systems: standby, line-interactive, and online.

  • Standby EPS systems are the most basic and are typically only used for short outages.
  • Line-interactive EPS systems provide more protection against power fluctuations and are often used in applications where power quality is a concern.
  • Online UPS systems provide the highest level of protection against power interruptions and can keep equipment running even if the utility power is completely lost.

EPS systems are an important part of any backup power solution. When choosing an EPS system, it is important to consider the needs of the application and the type of power interruptions that may occur.

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ISLANDING FROM ATON GREEN STORAGE

Islanding is the ability of a distributed generating system to continue to operate when disconnected from the grid. This is an important feature for emergency power supply systems, as it allows them to keep critical loads supplied with power in the event of a grid outage.

Islanding can be achieved by using on-site generation, energy storage, or a combination of both. On-site generation can be provided by renewable energy sources such as solar PV or wind turbines. Energy storage can be in the form of batteries, flywheels, or pumped hydro.

The key advantage of islanding is that it increases the resilience of the power supply system and reduces the reliance on the grid. This can be important in the event of a natural disaster, power cut (whether scheduled or not) or another emergency situation.

Islanding is not without its challenges, however. One of the biggest challenges is maintaining synchronization between the on-site generation and the loads. This can be a difficult task, and if not done properly, can lead to power quality problems such as voltage fluctuations; however, Aton overcome this to deliver a near-normal amount of power to your home so that you do not experience any drop in power throughout your home whilst your battery has reserves.

Islanding also typically requires the use of specialised equipment, which can be expensive. To add EPS functionality to an Aton installation only costs an extra £700 in total which we think is a very manageable amount to invest in order to ensure a seamless supply of power.

Despite these challenges, islanding is an important capability for emergency power supply systems. It increases resilience and can help to keep critical loads supplied with power in the event of a grid outage.

WHICH BATTERIES ARE BEST FOR EPS?

Aton systems use lithium-ion phosphate batteries which are ideal for EPS. They have a high energy density, meaning they can store more energy than other types of batteries. They also have a long-life span and are relatively lightweight.

The most important factor is the discharge rate of the battery, which is how fast it can deliver power. A higher discharge rate means that the battery can provide more power when you need it most – a key factor in the ability for Aton systems to deliver EPS that provides minimal drop in the power supply to your property during power cuts.

Another important factor to consider is the capacity of the battery. This is the amount of power that the battery can store. A higher capacity means that the battery will last longer before needing to be recharged. As mentioned, lithium phosphate ion batteries excel in their ability to store more power than other types of battery.

Finally, you should also consider the size and weight of the battery. This is important because you need to make sure that the battery will fit in your EPS system and that it won’t be too heavy. Aton have already covered this aspect of course with a compact and stylishly designed system.

CONCLUSION

It is likely that we will experience either planned or unplanned power cuts in the UK in the near future and EPS should be a consideration for anyone considering having a solar array and battery storage system installed. Not all systems are created equally. Aton Green Energy storage systems can be considered an industry leader when it comes to the provision of comprehensive energy storage and supply.

When having an Aton Green Energy storage system installed, adding EPS functionality will provide you with complete peace of mind that during a power cut, your home will benefit from a near-normal continuation of power throughout the property.

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Further reading: Emergency Power System