From Power Lunches to Power Ties to Power Alloys
SOUTH WINDSOR, CT (January, 2007). If you walk past the Aerodyne Alloys building in the early morning hours, chances are you will hear their new diesel generator fire up--it's a smart technology and that self-exercises in a cyclical rotation. The company has placed the 200KW, 800 AMP diesel generator on line to power the entire 47,000 square foot specialty alloys facility which supplies, Nickel, Cobalt, Titanium, Stainless, Hastelloy® and Inconel® 718/625. Greg Chase, President of Aerodyne Alloys said, "The generator serves two important purposes. It allows us to continue providing specialty high temperature alloys to our customers, including water jet, plasma and other cutting services. Secondly, it supports the Connecticut power grid in peak use times."
In March of 2006 the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (CDPUC) announced its energy backup power system grant program. The CDPUC's new energy power program is intended to reduce the more than $500 million that electricity users paid in 2005 in federally mandated "congestion programs" based on the state's shortfall in generation capacity. The program comes out of the Energy Independence Act, passed by the General Assembly and gives businesses certain incentives to produce their own power. The "Demand Response Program" is basically an insurance program designed to reduce the demand for electricity during limited times of high usage to avoid brown outs and black outs by having participants in the program run auxiliary generators to provide their own electricity rather than remove power from the grid.
The announcement of the CDPUC program was noticed in the Hartford Courant by Don Pizzoferrato, Aerodyne Alloy's CFO, which set in motion the company's application for consideration. Having completed the rigorous qualification process, including participation in the ISO-NE (Independent System Operator, New England), load response program, Aerodyne Alloys was approved for the program and is currently on line with its generator.
The generator functions efficiently on many levels and offers some truly unique features. "The generator operates on a sensor that starts the engine after 6-seconds of power loss, so we don't lose a step in customer service if there is a problem in the power grid," mentioned Gordon Anderson, the company's Director of Information Systems. Weighing in at 9,000 lbs. the 300 hp diesel draws on a 600-gallon fuel tank. The crane used to set the generator on its foundation was capable of a 150-foot reach. The placement called for a setback of 130-foot reach and placed right on target, without any problems.
The CDPUC program was developed to better assist when high power usage triggers power alerts or cautions. Upon 30 minute notice from the ISO-NE, Aerodyne must comply with a 100KW reduction as needed. During times of peak usage or when a number of larger generating
plants are all off-line at the same time, power supply can be tight. The Independent System Operator (ISO) that manages the grid has placed these types of energy backup system programs in place to deal with such situations in order to maintain an adequate supply of power for the region. ISO may direct plant operators to postpone routine maintenance, buy power from other grids, ask industrial customers with their own power sources to go off-line, direct older power plants to come on-line and so on.
Often--during a heat wave or an extended cold spell--even these measures aren't enough. That's when the ISO may issue a "power watch" or "power warning." When a power watch is issued, many large customers, such as office buildings and state facilities reduce consumption. ISO may also institute a five percent voltage reduction (sometimes called a brown-out). This is often not noticeable to residential customers, but can affect equipment operated by commercial and manufacturing customers. Between 2000 and 2006, the demand for electricity in Connecticut increased by nearly 30 percent, from 5,875 MW to 7,479 MW. Despite this rise in demand, and due to the difficulty in siting new power plants, Connecticut regulators determined that inadequate operating reserves significantly compromised the reliability of Connecticut's grid. In an effort to address this issue, in July 2005, the Connecticut Legislature passed Public Act 05-01; An Act Concerning Energy Independence, which set goals to reduce the state's peak demand by 10 percent by 2010 in part by promoting the increased development of demand response.
"We are very happy to be a part of this energy saving program and along with our staff will continue to do what is in the best interests of our community and customers," added Mr. Chase.
"We serve some of the most demanding customers in the country who depend on our ability to cut and deliver the alloys they require. Having this generator is a vital part of our commitment to provide the metals needed whether they are in Connecticut or across the country," said Jeff Adams.
"We are gratified by how many Connecticut businesses and institutions have helped meet the electrical needs of Connecticut by agreeing to reduce their electrical consumption at times of peak demand. Much has been done, and opportunity to further reduce peak demand remains. We look forward to continued work with the Connecticut Legislature, the DPUC, utilities and the businesses and institutions in Connecticut to help address this challenge," said David Brewster, president and co-founder of EnerNOC.
Aerodyne Alloys, located in South Windsor, CT., is a leading supplier and processor of high temp specialty alloys including: Nickel, Cobalt, Titanium, Stainless, Hastelloy® and Inconel® 718/625. The company's specialty alloys are utilized in Aerospace, Defense, Power Generation, Medical, Petrochemical and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul).
For more information contact:
Al Pirozzoli 800-234-4344
Aerodyne Alloys
350 Pleasant Valley Road
South Windsor, CT