Resiliency, On-Site Generation and Renewable Energy
It pays to prepare
As weather becomes more extreme, we can help ensure that your building functions during power outages, and stores or even generates its own power. Federal and State rebates make these options more economical than ever.
Electrical and mechanical system resiliency is becoming increasingly important as extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency. Long-term resiliency planning will help protect a building’s investments and allow critical systems like elevators and emergency lighting to operate during power outages.
An energy storage system (such as a battery) can shift demand costs and maximize the effectiveness of a facility’s on‑site renewable energy systems by allowing stored or produced energy to be saved and used at a later time. This technology is ideal for solar PV, which does not generate electricity at night, making energy storage an increasingly integral component for resiliency design.
Independent emergency power systems can be powered by multiple fuels and provide standby power during grid failures and extreme weather events. They also enable a facility to participate in demand response programs to reduce summer peak demand costs and create an annual revenue stream for the building.
A small, localized energy grid, called a Microgrid, operates independently from the main electrical grid in so-called “island” mode, acting more efficiently and autonomously than the traditional electrical grid. Microgrids bring power to the consumer, increasing independence from an aged electrical grid and incorporating on-site distributed generation options to reduce costs for facilities.
While energy resilient technologies like battery storage and on-site generation can significantly improve a building’s resiliency, physically updating a building’s electrical, mechanical, and structural systems requires an experienced design team that prioritizes a facility’s operation requirements, energy loads, and occupant needs.
As such, EN-POWER GROUP will design a resiliency plan within capital budgets, while maximining energy revenues and providing sustainable, reliable systems.
On-site generation refers to usable energy produced locally at a facility, while renewable energy is generated from a natural process which is naturally replenished such as sunlight. These technologies are now more affordable with State and Federal rebates supporting an expanding definition of renewable energy with the overall aim to increase energy independence and resiliency. EN-POWER GROUP provides our clients with a variety of services that strike a balance between energy reduction and energy generation options, both on-site and renewable.
Cogeneration, also known as “cogen” or “combined heat and power (CHP)”, is a technology that generates electricity on‑site while also recovering the thermal energy‑byproduct to be used for heating and cooling.
When properly sized and operated, cogeneration brings energy production to the consumer, while reducing energy costs. Cogeneration also provides backup power to maintain electricity supplies during extreme weather events and disruptions of the electricity grid, thereby enhancing the facility’s energy independence and resiliency. Our engineers take care to correctly size cogen units to best fit the needs of every facility and assist in all stages of equipment design and construction.
Fuel cell technology allows for more efficient on-site electricity production by utilizing a chemical reaction process that reduces heat losses so more fuel can be successfully converted to electricity. Like cogeneration, fuel cells bring energy production to the consumer, increasing independence and resiliency to reduce energy spending and greenhouse gas emissions.
Geothermal technologies utilize the ground’s natural and steady temperature to serve as a renewable thermal sink for building heating and cooling, and enable buildings to install higher efficiency equipment. EN-POWER GROUP recognizes the challenges of implementing geothermal technologies in certain regions and will work with clients to identify feasible applications.
By capturing sunlight and converting it to electricity, photovoltaic (PV) panels allow facilities to decrease their electricity costs and carbon footprints. PV technology continues to gain in both popularity and affordability, playing an integral role in achieving energy independence and resiliency.
In fact, New York State has recently revamped the value of distributed energy resource (VDER) rates to now include time, location, and grid needs in the calculation of how much each kilowatt-hour of generated solar is worth for each customer, thereby spurring the development of more solar generation as well as community microgrids.
Thermal energy can be stored and strategically used at a later time when energy or demand costs are higher or renewable resources are not available.
In the U.S., cooling in commercial buildings accounts for roughly 5% of total national energy consumption. Thermal energy storage allows cooling to be produced during off-peak periods when cooling production costs are lower. It can then be stored and used later during on-peak periods, thereby significantly reducing demand costs.
Using the sun’s energy to produce hot water is an environmentally friendly generation method. These systems include roof mounted solar collectors and hot water storage tanks, which must be correctly sized and scaled to the occupants’ usage. This 100% renewable technology can be supplemented with gas-fired equipment for operation during periods of low solar absorption.
As one of the cleanest forms of electricity generation, wind power continues to expand and gain support of private investors, utility entities, and government agencies. EN-POWER GROUP recognizes the challenges of implementing wind power in NYC and will work with clients to identify feasible and affordable wind power applications.
Explore all of our Services
Engineering Design
& Implementation
Energy Consulting,
Management & Financing
Compliance
& Certifications