When installing or maintaining an emergency generator, end users should be aware of the Emergency Load Response program that is made available from the PJM organization that coordinates power distribution among 13 different states and is named for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland states that it is focused around.
The Emergency Load Response program is an arrangement implemented through Curtailment Service Providers (CSPs) which are approved by the PJM to execute the program with end users. Up until 2020, there were options to enroll in either/both a summer and a winter curtailment program. In 2020, this option was eliminated and there is only a year round program at this time. The program provides incentives for end users who are willing to volunteer running on emergency generator during utility grid emergency load conditions.
The program essentially consists of a structure whereas for generator plants with a minimum of 1,000 kW of load can enroll in the program and get a potential incentive of approximately $30,000 annually per 1,000 kW of load. The incentive involves being amenable to participating in up to 10 outage events with 2 hours notice. Generally, the outage events last between 4-6 hours.
To facilitate this functionality, the generator must have controls that will allow the CSP firm to remotely transfer the equipment. Additionally, this program will likely exceed the equipment permit for a standby generator application, so a different environmental permit may be required. The application may also have an increased maintenance cost as well since depending on the run times, it may require a prime power generator.
While the program conditions are strong considerations to be aware of, if a user is planning to install a building generator, this program may be something to consider. With an incremental cost of equipment and controls, it may present an opportunity to get some return on the investment for a new generator.
ENGINEERING COMEDIC RELIEF
Death Row
A chemist, a biologist and an electrical engineer were on death row waiting to go in the electric chair.
The chemist was brought forward first. “Do you have anything you want to say?” asked the executioner, strapping him in.”No,” replied the chemist. The executioner flicked the switch and nothing happened.
Under State law, if an execution attempt fails, the prisoner is to be released, so the chemist was released.
Then the biologist was brought forward. “Do you have anything you want to say?” “No, just get on with it.” The executioner flicked the switch, and again nothing happened, so the biologist was released.
Then the electrical engineer was brought forward. “Do you have anything you want to say?” asked the executioner. “Yes,” replied the engineer. “If you swap the red and the blue wires over, you might make this thing work.”
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
Most people will say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
An engineer will say, “If it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.”
Last year I entered a marathon. The race started and immediately I was the last of the runners. It was embarrassing.
The guy who was in front of me, second to last, was making fun of me. He said, “Hey buddy, how does it feel to be last?”
I replied, “You really want to know?”
Then I dropped out of the race.