sales@powerguard.co.uk +44 (0) 1507 600688

Is having an uninterruptible power supply a dream or reality?

Having an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) has become more crucial than ever in recent times. A couple of decades ago most people’s biggest concern was the fridge defrosting. However, whether you live remotely or run a business from a remote location, a loss of power can cause damage to your systems and will definitely mean a loss of communication.

Whether you live off-grid or are just worried about power cuts, a UPS gives you peace of mind knowing your power supply will continue even if your electricity does not.

Living or working off-grid

If you’re using alternative sources to supply your energy, then a UPS system can be used to ensure the voltage always remains at the desired level, while providing backup for those times you lose power. They can be integrated into complete off-grid systems that generate the electricity from solar, wind turbines or traditional generators.

Many old rural industrial buildings have been repurposed to provide modern business premises. However, as beautiful as an office with a view of rolling countryside is, the location can be problematic. Generating your own electricity in case of outages will ensure your business can continue to trade regardless of the conditions.

For people and businesses where joining the mains network would actually be costlier, a UPS system adds an element of assurity to your power supply.

The benefits of continuity

A UPS will monitor the voltage for spikes, surges, and outages. This provides increased protection for electrical equipment. Known as Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), a powerful microprocessor will continually work to correct all abnormalities and keep the voltage within defined safe parameters. This provides crucial protection to expensive equipment and valuable data during surges, blackouts, or even lightning strikes.

This sort of protection can be a lifesaver if you live in a remote location and aren’t connected to the mains. However, it can be critical for an emergency, medical, and business users.

Flexibility comes as standard

The UPS systems are configurable in many different ways. If you only need a short period of backup power, then a standalone system can provide everything you need. If you would rather ensure your power is sustained over longer periods of time, you can combine your UPS system with a standard generator to provide much longer run times. /p>

Some systems, such as the Guardian SH, are modular by design. This allows you to expand the system as you grow, saving the expense of upgrading to a more capable system when you need it. Systems such as this can be used in several different scenarios, whether you’re trying to maintain the power to your modern home or prevent critical data loss and downtime from occurring at a data centre full of servers.

At a time when even the mains power supply is proving increasingly unreliable (and evermore expensive), alternative sources of power are becoming attractive to a wider audience. A good UPS system can ensure many of the inconveniences of off-grid power don’t ever rear their ugly head.

The Applications and Advantages Of Off-Grid Power

Using off-grid power generators is a more viable option than ever before. As the global political machine continues to intensify its efforts to combat climate change, the cost of mains power continues to rise, and the public becomes more aware of renewable sources of energy, it’s not surprising that we have seen an increase in the number of applications.

Off-grid power solutions are traditionally associated with remote projects where mains connectivity isn’t a viable option. However, the continued development and ever-increasing reliability of off-grid electricity systems have seen them become a preferred option even when mains connectivity is a possibility.

There are several commercial applications where a consistent power supply is of critical importance. Being subject to power outages and fluctuations can jeopardise a whole project or threaten a business’s ability to continue operating.

A consistent and accessible alternative

Remote areas can be even more prone to power cuts, which is why generators have proved a popular alternative for farmers who need to ensure their machinery is ready when they need it.Another advantage to being off-grid is that a good quality off-grid system will deliver a more consistent energy supply. If you use sensitive technology or run scientific experiments, power cuts can be detrimental to your results and your equipment. Using an off-grid alternative can eliminate the likelihood of this.

On/Off power is cost-effective

Connecting to the main grid can be expensive, as can the standing charges simply for the privilege of being connected. If you have a holiday home that sits empty for five months of the year, it can be expensive to continue paying the standing charges for the utilities.Opting for an off-grid home system means prolonged periods where a property is vacant doesn’t generate any utility bills. While your initial capital outlay might be a bit more, the system quickly pays for itself. The longer you use it the more cost-effective it becomes.

Even wedding planners and event organisers are starting to see the light. Off-grid electricity is not only proving a cheaper option in many cases, but it also gives them a lot more freedom and flexibility when selecting venues and layouts.

Flexibility and convenience are matching mains power

One of the old movie stereotypes about off-grid power generation is the broken-down generator in the middle of a storm. Thankfully, this is nowhere near the truth. Modern systems often use a number of sources for an uninterruptible power supply, mixing a more traditional generator with renewable options. The control systems that operate the set-ups seamlessly switch between sources, so your power consumption is always optimised.

This helps to reduce the consumption of fuel and significantly prolong the life of your components. A generator that can automatically be switched on and off as needed, while being supplemented by renewable sources of energy so you’re never without power, will be reliable and cost effective. The more years that pass the greater the amount you will have saved. It also eliminates the inconvenience of having to switch your generator on and off, creating a seamless uninterruptible power supply that’s comparable to a mains connection for everyday use.

Discover Powerguard’s innovative power solutions

We’ve been incredibly busy over the last few months speaking with customers to find out what they think about us and our solutions. Why? To help give prospective clients an insight into how we work and demonstrate how powerful our energy solutions are.

So, what do our customers have to say?

We took a film crew down to Gally’s Farm – a polo, livery and stud yard – where we were installing a full Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS system) to provide a complete power solution, taking the farm off-grid. In this instance, a constant supply of electricity was needed to provide the animals with water pumped from the borehole. We supplied them with 30 solar panels and 48 batteries as part of the UPS system.

Here’s what the owners of the farm had to say:

View the full case study video here > 

In another instance, we revisited one of our long-standing customers at Otmoor Farm to discover their experiences since moving to our off-grid power system.

Otmoor Farm is in a remote area and they needed a solution to provide them with electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Having assessed their needs, it was clear they needed a larger generator than they previously had, along with a much larger battery. To ensure optimum efficiency and keep costs to a minimum we also installed a wind turbine as part of the solution.

As Terry Moore explains, “From seeing the advert and engaging with Powerguard, through to them visiting us to assess our needs, designing a solution and implementing it, the entire process took around two weeks. And, it’s been magic ever since. We get 24 hours of electricity each day! The support is fabulous and they’re very responsive. We have no complaints. All it costs us is around £20 a week, which is nothing compared to what we were paying.”

Read the full case study here >

If you want to find out more about the solutions we provide, check out some of our other case studies here and for more information, get in touch. Call us on 01507 600688.

Can farms utilise renewable energy to become more efficient?

Due to the rural and isolated location of most farms, many already utilise a generator to provide electricity. However, with the heavy investment that has been made into renewable energy in recent years, there are a multitude of choices for farmers to both produce their own electricity and possibly even generate more revenue.

Natural partners

Farming and renewable energy are natural partners. Farms have the resources to harvest wind, solar, and biomass energy indefinitely. As well as providing the farm with its own energy needs, there is also the added bonus of reducing pollution and dependence on imported fuels.

Making renewable energy a realistic alternative

A farm is a working environment, and just like any other workplace, a loss of power can be catastrophic. This is one of the reasons many farms currently rely on generators. However, many older systems need to be controlled manually and are not fuel-efficient.

Modern systems are designed to work in tandem with renewable energy sources. They will turn on when they are needed to charge batteries and are much more fuel-efficient than traditional generators. This is partly due to advancements in the efficiency of generators, but also largely down to new automation features that allows the systems to automatically control themselves, ensuring only the minimum amount of fuel is used and they run at optimal efficiency.

The potential of solar is huge

The amount of energy that can be harvested from the sun is increasing all the time. There have been advancements in solar panels and the batteries used to store the energy. An extremely large amount of energy hits the earth’s surface everyday from the sun. Approximately twenty days worth of sunlight hitting the earth is equal to the energy we could produce from all of the world’s remaining fossil fuels.

For a farmer with lots of land, designating part of the land for solar energy can be a smart investment. If you’re connected to the mains and depending on your energy company, any excess energy produced can be sold back to the energy company.

Utilising the wind

Wind farms are popping up in many rural locations. They offer farmers a good solution because the footprint is relatively small, and farmers can plant and harvest crops right up to the base of the turbine.

Some farmers are investing in their own turbines, while some are being paid rent for allowing turbines to be placed on their land. The wind is blowing over farms all the time and farms have long taken advantage of it. Even traditional windmills used the wind to perform tasks.

Look at a complete set-up

If you think you could benefit from renewable energy it’s important to look at an integrated system that covers all likely eventualities. Sometimes a combination of sources works the best, and provides security for times when energy consumption is particularly high. If you’re unsure what will work best for your particular circumstances, then a professional company will be able to help make you aware of your options and give you plenty to think about.

How Do Diesel Generators Work?

Diesel generators are often seen as purely a backup option, but modern design and components have made them more efficient and flexible than ever before. They are available in different forms to suit a variety of uses, including portable, industrial, and even residential applications. Despite this flexibility, many people still don’t understand how a diesel generator works or how useful they can potentially be.

How they work

diesel generator essentially converts one type of fuel into another. It uses a diesel engine to power the rotation of an alternator to generate electricity. The engine uses internal combustion, which means the fuel (diesel) is burnt inside the engine. The ignition of the fuel takes place inside a cylinder, which then drives a piston to turn the energy into movement.

The piston compresses air in the cylinder by up to 25 times. This makes the air extremely hot, usually at least 500 degrees Celsius. A fuel injector then sprays a fine mist of fuel into the hot compressed air. The air is so hot the fuel instantly ignites and pushes the piston back up. This process goes on in a continuous loop, consistently driving the piston up and down to produce the movement that is then used to drive the alternator and generate electricity.

Internal combustion is a very efficient way of generating energy, as the whole process happens in the cylinder, so there’s not much energy loss.

Types of generators

Generators are a more practical solution than ever before. They come in a wider range of designs and with specifications to suit a wider variety of applications.

Residential generators

Residential generators are available in either single-phase or three-phase. People often think a generator might be noisy and impractical, but modern residential generators are sound insulated and can be fuelled by natural gas or LPG. The design is compact and aesthetically pleasing. They are also environmentally friendly and benefit from an automatic start feature if there is a mains failure.

Portable generators

Our range of portable generators is durable, compact, and efficient. There is a wide variety of power output options to suit every need. They can be run on diesel, LPG, or mains gas. They come in a variety of sizes and power outputs, from a small portable unit, to slightly larger industrial generators.

Industrial generators

Industrial generators, both single and three-phase, are designed for more specialised applications. They pack some serious punch, providing ample power and performance for professionals.

Find out more here >

Water pumps

Diesel generators can also be used to power water pumps. We provide general and specialised water pump generators that are designed for high performance under extreme conditions.

Generator maintenance

Generators consist of many parts. As well as the diesel engine and alternator, there is also a fuel system, lubrication system, flywheel, exhaust and cooling system, voltage regulator, and a control panel.

Thankfully, modern generators rarely fail and need very little maintenance. If you purchase from a reputable dealer, like us, then you also get the added peace of mind knowing you have the complete support of an international network of dealers.

Discover our range of diesel generators here >