The environmental benefits associated with using

Hitec Diesel Rotary UPS modules

Introduction
The Hitec Diesel Rotary UPS (DRUPS) module is designed to provide conditioned
and secure UPS power to a facilitys Critical Loads and Standby power to a
facilitys less critical Essential Loads. In so doing it replaces the battery backed
Static UPS equipment required to support the Essential Loads and the Standby
Diesel Generating equipment required to support the Essential Loads. By
combining these two functions within a single piece of equipment the Hitec DRUPS
module provides tangible and measurable environmental benefits over alternative
UPS equipment. The environmental benefits of the Hitec DRUPS module are
summarised below.
The use of Batteries
Unlike Static UPS systems the Hitec DRUPS module does not use batteries to
support the Critical Load when the there is a failure of the mains supply.
Alternatively, the Hitec DRUPS module uses stored mechanical energy to secure
the Critical Load.
The batteries used in Static UPS systems are normally of the Lead Acid or Nickel
Cadmium type, both of which are considered to be environmentally damaging.
These batteries contain harmful, hazardous and carcinogenic materials such as
Lead Compounds, Cadmium, Mercury and Sulphuric Acid.
The quantity of batteries used in the design of a Static UPS system can be
enormous. Their number is dependant upon the size of the load to be supported
and the amount of time that the batteries are required to support it, the Standby
Time. With large loads and Standby Times in excess of 10 minutes the quantity of
individual batteries, or cells, incorporated into a Static UPS system can amount to
several thousands.
Also, batteries have a limited life span, nominally 5 to 8 years, and due to the
materials used in their construction they need to be disposed of correctly. With
such large amounts of batteries needing replacement the environmental impact of
their disposal needs to be carefully considered. This has not gone unnoticed by the
EU, which already classes both Lead Acid and Nickel Cadmium batteries as
Hazardous waste. Furthermore, the EU is currently proposing a new Battery
Directive to ensure the safe and proper disposal of such batteries.
The fact that a DRUPS module does not use environmentally damaging and
hazardous materials for the support of the Critical Load means that its
environmental impact is considerably less than that of Static UPS systems.
No Batteries = Lower Environmental Impact

Diesel Engines
The selection of Diesel Engines within the current range of Hitec DRUPS modules is
based upon a number of key criteria. In terms of their load handling performance
the Diesel Engines must have a high reliability, the necessary total power output
and the required speed of starting. However, to address the environmental impact
of the diesel engine we also select units that have a high fuel economy, a low
emissions level and the ability to run on zero sulphur diesel fuels.
In terms of Emissions we have Diesel Engines within our range that meet the
requirements of TA Luft. The German clean air act TA Luft is currently the
most restrictive legislation applying to Industrial Diesel Engines. It sets maximum
permissible limits for the emission of vapours and gases such as NOx and CO2; TA
Luft also governs soot and dust emissions. In addition to supplying Diesel Engines
that meet the requirements of TA Luft we are also able to incorporate Exhaust
Gas Cleaning Systems within the design of the flue, these can however reduce the
power output of the Diesel Engines.
To minimise the number of times the Diesel Engines could start in response to
failure of the incoming mains supply we can employ a system called Diesel Start
Reduction. Diesel Start Reduction maintains the DRUPS module output voltage
within tolerance while allowing the input mains voltage to fluctuate within
prescribed limits. The fluctuation of the input voltage is allowed to occur for a
given period of time before it becomes necessary to start the Diesel Engine. The
use of Hitecs Diesel Start Reduction system dramatically reduces the number of
Diesel Starts per annum.
Efficient Diesel Engines = Greater Economy and Lower Emissions
Operating Efficiency
By the very nature of having fewer active components, the Hitec DRUPS is far
more efficient than Static UPS systems. While DRUPS modules can achieve
efficiency levels greater than 97%, the efficiency level of the best Static UPS
equipment will only be around 92%.
The efficiency of a UPS system directly relates to its running costs. Therefore, the
higher the efficiency the lower the running costs i.e. Based on todays electricity
prices, the 5% difference in efficiency between a 1500kVA Static UPS system and a
1500kVA DRUPS module over a 10year period will equate, to a saving of 263,000
for using the DRUPS module.
High Operating Efficiency = Reduced Running Costs
Space
A Hitec DRUPS module requires approximately 40% to 60% less space than an
equivalently sized Static UPS system plus Standby Diesel Generator arrangement.
This high level of space efficiency is achieved through the absence of standby
batteries and their air condition equipment, power factor correction panels,

generator paralleling/synchronising panels and an overall simplification of the

distribution switchgear.
Smaller Equipment Size = More Efficient Use Of Plant Space
Power Conditioning
The combination of the Synchronous Alternator and the matched UPS Choke within
the Hitec DRUPS module ensures that all load-generated harmonics are prevented
from reaching the incoming supply. This combination of components also ensures
that all mains born harmonics are prevented from reaching the load. As such a
Hitec DRUPS module is fully compliant with the requirements of EA
Recommendation G/54 (Guidance on the generation and imposition of harmonics
on the Public Utility Network) without the need to employ additional, inefficient
and expensive harmonic filtration equipment.
Integral Power Conditioning = Higher Quality Power
Power Factor Compensation
The combination of the Synchronous Alternator and the matched UPS Choke within
the Hitec DRUPS module enables it to provide all of the reactive power demanded
by the load. This means that the incoming utility supply is presented with a near
unity power factor under all load conditions and that, consequently, there is no
need to provide additional power factor correction equipment.
Integral Power Factor Compensation = Fewer Additional Components
Flexibility
With a Hitec DRUPS module the migration of loads from Critical to Essential and
visa versa can be accommodated without the need to procure additional standby
generating capacity and/or static UPS modules. Providing that the total load being
drawn does not exceed the UPS rating of the DRUPS module the ratio between
Critical and Essential loads can be reconfigured.
Increased Flexibility = Future Proof Design
The Future
To underline Hitecs commitment to provide the most environmentally sustainable
solution presently available for the support of a facilitys Critical and Essential
loads, we are currently investigating the use of Bio-Diesel and other alternative
Clean fuels. In addition to this we continually assess the environmental impact of
our products and how the efficiency, reliability, power and performance of the
Hitec DRUPS module can be enhanced.
The Hitec Power Protection Environmental Policy Statement is attached.