ENERGY ASSET CONSULTING ENGINEERS
&
OWNER'S AGENT
Comprehensive Energy Asset Delivery Services
Duke Energy - AE Inspection Specialists
Energy Efficiency Management
PowerOn Energy LLC, Charlotte, NC, USA
Shakespeare coined it first with the words ‘the world is mine oyster’, appearing in his ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’ - and it’s an idiom that couldn’t be more true today. Increased accessibility through travel and technology aside, these words potentially take on another meaning as our daily choices reflect our level of commitment to preserve and improve our collective ‘oyster’ – the earth.
From showcasing inspirational eco-luxury and the benefits of taking your home off the grid, to global and local lifestyle options for the discerning investor, we hope you share our passion for sustainable & renewable energy solutions.
Duke Energy - AE Inspection Compliance Support
Save Time and Money with our Compliance Specialists
DEP/DEC Compliance Specific
Preconstruction Planning
Make sure you are compliant from the with the evolving AE compliance requirements.
Inception/ Planning:
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IA Agreement Review
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Review plan for compliance
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Inrush Mitigation
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Rapid Voltage Change
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Facility Plan
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Inverter Settings Coordination
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AE approval of inverter settings- they vary with inverters and DEP DEC...assumption can be costly
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Delivery plan for compliant interconnection
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Plan for cost effective annual compliance self audit
NEW 2020 Duke Energy IA requirement - settings must be verified and reported annually to Duke Energy with a full self audit very 5 years
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Alternate Value Engineering Interconnection strategies to ease compliance and operations
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Operational options to reduce operating costs of the plant and complying with self audit requirements
Principal Agent - Interface with AE and Customer Engineering
Engineering Interface:
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PowerOn works directly with AE and Duke to ensure compliance and defend the interconnecting customers interests.
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We stay current with the evolving standards so you can focus on project delivery.
Pre Inspection:
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Review the construction team's work prior to AE inspection
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Deliver a comprehensive report of deficiencies
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Submit Inverter Settings and equipment to AE for pre-approval of all equipment - inspection pre-requisite
Day of Inspection:
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Lead Inspection with AE and direct contractors to correct any minor deficiencies found - AE has never had a zero issue inspection
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We typically have zero controllable issues after inspection - Most are STE day of inspection
Witness Test:
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Conduct Anti-islanding pre-test to confirm compliance prior to test day - don't assume the VFI will perform under stress
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Ensure open issues are corrected for pass 1st time
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Confirm Actual Inverter settings prior to inspection
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Manage witness test with AE
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Legacy Project Self Inspection and Annual Compliance
NEW to Duke territory in 2020
ALL Interconnection Customers (PRE AE Inspection Process) must submit a self inspection report and resubmit every 5 years. All projects must submit annual compliance reports.
Rejection of the customers self inspection or annual compliance report by AE will trigger a full AE Audit of the site.
Legacy project - PRE AE inspection inspection service:
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Site visit and inspection of interconnection facilities
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Deficiency report to customer for corrective action
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Direction of contractors to correct deficiencies
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Negotiation of non-compliant issues due to changes in standards since construction
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Final Report to AE for compliance
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Resolution of any issues
Annual Report:
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Annual submittal process per requirements
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Verification of inverter settings per the requirements
Energy Efficiency Management
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By conducting Energy Efficiency Assessments we are able to perform an analysis of a facility’s energy consumption and advise on specific interventions in order to reduce energy consumption.
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To avoid overusing of natural resources we are all responsible to avoid the process by identifying key areas like the commercial, industrial & retail sectors to achieve targets set by industry.
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Through complex modelling we are able to provide financial feasibility studies on these interventions which range from process improvements to technology changes whether it is a switch to energy efficiency technology or to renewable energy.
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The focus is on a variety of energy production systems such as solar energy, hydropower, co-generation, biomass, biogas in support of consumption systems using water, gas & electricity for heating, cooling and production.
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Through simplified data acquisition, we:
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Find inefficiencies,
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Intervene to optimise performance and
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Generate benefits with the aim to optimise the energy performance of buildings and plants by empowering energy services providers with innovative technology.
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The aim is to:
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Develop bankable projects,
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Validate Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) to be IPMVP compliant and
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Guide clients to obtain ISO 50001 compliance.
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ABOUT
PowerOn is the ideal project leader for an infrastructure development portfolio with relevant experience and an extensive network of resources in the USA and Africa. The principals at PowerOn bring decades of experience in energy generation, delivery and management. PowerOn has extensive experience managing large projects in the USA and Africa with an extensive network of the best available resources for projects in South Africa and the greater sub-Saharan Africa region.
The PowerOn team understands the unique challenges of constructing projects in Africa including governmental, labor and logistical challenges along with difficult environmental conditions.
Team project notables include:
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EPC Design Build large transmission and distribution projects in the USA, South Africa and other African Countries.
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EPC Design Build large solar projects in the USA.
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Gigawatts of utility scale generation development and consulting including wind, solar, biomass along with traditional generation platforms.
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Created power system planning software implemented by ESKOM and other sub-Saharan Africa utilities.
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Developed geospatial mapping systems for power assets.
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Developed renewable generation specific geospatial mapping as defined in the Predictive Analytics Model (PAM) for highly accurate, predictive O&M via aerial platforms.
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Founded ASTM E3010-15 ICOMP quality standard for PV systems
Quality and experience are the hallmark of the PowerOn team and brings best in class project management based in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) with extensive regional experience.
As Engineering Management Agents for large energy projects, PowerOn engages with the best possible design and construction teams available in the market. The PowerOn team’s extensive rolodex of current engineering firms provide optimal project performance and surety. PowerOn Energy specializes in supporting the NC Interconnection markets with full Duke Energy IA compliance support.
Mike Whitson
Partner
Mike leads the PowerOn Energy Business efforts with extensive business operations experience over the past 25 years. His expertise includes large scale development, construction and technical operations of renewable energy assets. He has successfully led numerous successful startups including renewable energy, construction, and technology companies. Mike is a technically skilled renewable energy leader experienced managing teams from green field development & financing to O&M on large construction, solar, wind and waste energy projects. He is thoroughly familiar with the various technical layers required to deliver reliable energy and interact with the utility grid while mindful of the evolving possibilities of demand responsive renewable assets. Mike is an energy industry conference speaker and quality standards stakeholder and task group leader.
Dr. John R. Balfour
Dir. of Design & QA
John is a skilled PV pioneer with four decades of experience in all facets within the Industry including grid support and interactivity. During that time he spent 32 years as an EPC and author.
His career knowledge and capabilities are broad covering a range of experience in residential, commercial and utility system delivery, specification, design, construction, commissioning, O&M, repowering and management. His career can be measured in achieving substantive improvements in plant specification, design, output and revenue optimization, reliability, availability and maintainability with cost and risk reduction through the application of a PV Systems process engineering approach.
60+
Accumulative years of experience
200+
Projects Completed
300+
Contractors Appointed
Domestic & international
Project Experience
Renewable Energy Systems
Systems
Solar Photovoltaic Power
• Solar PV is the most widely available renewable energy resource
Wind
• Good return on investment (ROI) when there is adequate average wind speed
• Limited resource in populated areas of the US
Micro Hydro
• Excellent ROI if you have sufficient head pressure - high flow
• Very limited resource - requires water flow over large vertical drop
Heating
Solar Thermal
• Water heating, air heating
• High efficiency & good ROI
Biomass
Skylights, SolarTubes
Solar Market Segments
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Mobile/Portable/Remote Power
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RVs, Traffic controls, Telecom power systems
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Residential
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Represents majority of solar PV installations
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Federal tax credit provides full 30% credit with no cap
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Commercial
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Strong market activity with major growth forecasted
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Higher power rates allow faster ROI
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Utility
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Specialized large-scale installations designed by solar engineering firms buying
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Direct from equipment manufacturers.
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Strong market activity with major growth forecasted
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Government
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GSA certified to bid projects
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Strong market activity with major growth forecasted
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Bidding and scheduling complex
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Distributed generation or “DG” accounts for the fastest growing market segment for Solar and related technologies. Simply stated, DG is electrical generation placed on a host electrical customer building or site and typically the host consumes most of the generated electricity. California, the most mature US market, has roughly 60% DG. As storage capability increases, properly constructed DG assets will become the backbone of the generating infrastructure as aging power plants are retired.
In emerging markets, with unpredictable utility grid availability, distributed generation equals power stability, critical for business and residential use. Distributed generation is more efficient with low losses from generation to use and can incorporate a number of different technologies. Coupled with battery technology, distributed generation is capable of running independent of the utility grid or in support of the grid. Our team has decades of experience in utility planning, construction of distributed energy assets and the integration of various generating technologies.
Why Solar?
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Can be installed anywhere.
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Distributed energy resource, installed near the point of electricity usage.
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Cost competitive with utility power.
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It can be located on rooftops, in parking lots or on open ground locations.
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It does not require any permitting or zoning changes.
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It has no moving parts and requires relatively low maintenance.
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It is durable with a 25-year manufacturer warranty and 30+ year operating life.
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It will generate electricity for up to 50 years using NO fuel.
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The panels protect roof membranes from UV.
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It does not require penetration of roofing membranes (ballasted solutions).
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Solar resource more widespread than wind or hydro
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Typical annualized average sun hours:
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Phoenix – 6.5
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Portland – 4.0
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Johannesburg 8.6
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Germany has only 3.0 sun hours and is the #1 market in the world!
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Electrical Code Resources
National Electric Code NEC & International Electric Code
Codes and standards governing all electrical installations
Article 690 governs PV wiring and grounding and is relevant to most distributed generation.
NABCEP
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
ASTM E3010-15 ICOMP
Practice standard for the Installation, Commissioning, Operations and Maintenance of PV systems
The first comprehensive standard covering best practices and incorporating international and US based standards.
NECA/IBEW
NJATC offers training for electricians
UL 1741
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is the UL test standard that is used for the listing of PV inverters, charge controllers to ensure grid safety
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It continues to be updated as all new standards are over the first several years of implementation.
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1741 incorporates the testing required by IEEE 1547 (frequency and voltage limits, power quality, non-islanding inverter testing)
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1741 testing includes design (type) testing and production testing.
PV Configurations
Direct PV
Simple systems typically for water pumping and fans
Grid-tie
90% of installations are grid-tie (no batteries)
Grid-tie with battery backup
Provides power when grid goes down
Best option for silent, RELIABLE, power production in times of grid outage
Off-grid
Best choice in remote areas
Less expensive than connecting to grid if
installation is more than 1/2 mile from grid
Hydropower
Hydropower is power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower from many kinds of watermills has been used as a renewable energy source for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as gristmills, sawmills, textile mills, trip hammers, dock cranes, domestic lifts, and ore mills.
International institutions such as the World Bank view hydropower as a means for economic development without adding substantial amounts of carbon to the atmosphere
Hydropower is used primarily to generate electricity. Broad categories include:
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Conventional hydroelectric, referring to hydroelectric dams.
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Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity, which captures the kinetic energy in rivers or streams, without a large reservoir and sometimes without the use of dams.
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Small hydro projects are 10 megawatts or less and often have no artificial reservoirs.
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Micro hydro projects provide a few kilowatts to a few hundred kilowatts to isolated homes, villages, or small industries.
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Conduit hydroelectricity projects utilize water which has already been diverted for use elsewhere; in a municipal water system, for example.
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Pumped-storage hydroelectricity stores water pumped uphill into reservoirs during periods of low demand to be released for generation when demand is high or system generation is low. Pressure buffering hydropower use natural sources (waves for example) for water pumping to turbines while exceeding water is pumped uphill into reservoirs and releases when incoming water flow isn't enough.
Small hydro
Small hydro is the development of hydroelectric power on a scale suitable for local community and industry, or to contribute to distributed generation in a regional electricity grid. The definition of a small hydro project varies, but a generating capacity of 1 to 20 megawatts (MW) is common. In contrast many hydroelectric projects are of enormous size, such as the generating plant at the Three Gorges Dam at 22,500 megawatts or the vast multiple projects of the Tennessee Valley Authority. In India, hydro projects up to 25 MW station capacities have been categorized as Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects.
Small hydro projects may be built in isolated areas that would be uneconomic to serve from a national electricity grid, or in areas where a national grid does not exist.
Micro hydro
Micro hydro is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produces from 5 kW to 100 kW of electricity using the natural flow of water. Installations below 5 kW are called pico hydro. These installations can provide power to an isolated home or small community, or are sometimes connected to electric power networks, particularly where net metering is offered. There are many of these installations around the world, particularly in developing nations as they can provide an economical source of energy without the purchase of fuel. Micro hydro systems complement solar PV power systems because in many areas, water flow, and thus available hydro power, is highest in the winter when solar energy is at a minimum. Micro hydro is frequently accomplished with a pelton wheel for high head, low flow water supply. The installation is often just a small dammed pool, at the top of a waterfall, with several hundred feet of pipe leading to a small generator housing. In low head sites, generally water wheels and Archimedes screws are used.
Wind Power
Wind power is the use of air flow through wind turbines to provide the mechanical power to turn electric generators. Wind power, as an alternative to burning fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, consumes no water, and uses little land. The net effects on the environment are far less problematic than those of nonrenewable power sources.
Wind farms consist of many individual wind turbines, which are connected to the electric power transmission network. Onshore wind is an inexpensive source of electric power, competitive with or in many places cheaper than coal or gas plants. Offshore wind is steadier and stronger than on land and offshore farms have less visual impact, but construction and maintenance costs are considerably higher. Small onshore wind farms can feed some energy into the grid or provide electric power to isolated off-grid locations.
1. Foundation
2. Connection to the electric grid
3. Tower
4. Access ladder
5. Wind orientation control (Yaw control)
6. Nacelle
7. Generator
8. Anemometer
9. Electric or Mechanical Brake
10. Gearbox
11. Rotor blade
13. Rotor hub
Wind power gives variable power, which is very consistent from year to year but has significant variation over shorter time scales. It is therefore used in conjunction with other electric power sources to give a reliable supply. As the proportion of wind power in a region increases, a need to upgrade the grid and a lowered ability to supplant conventional production can occur. Power-management techniques such as having excess capacity, geographically distributed turbines, dispatchable sources, sufficient hydroelectric power, exporting and importing power to neighboring areas, or reducing demand when wind production is low, can in many cases overcome these problems. Weather forecasting permits the electric-power network to be readied for the predictable variations in production that occur.
In 2017, global wind power capacity expanded 10% to 539 GW. Yearly wind energy production grew 17% reaching 4.4% of worldwide electric power usage and providing 11.6% of the electricity in the European Union.
Program & Project Management
Our team management strive to design, build, and operate productively, collaborate globally, and deliver infrastructure assets that perform sustainably with discipline-specific applications and services that enhance service delivery through collaboration and information mobility across project teams. Team leaders focus on specific capabilities required from engineers, architects & contractors to collaborate with inspectors, governments/ institutions, utilities, owner-operators, and a broad spectrum of infrastructure roles.
A shared technology environment ensures comprehensive project delivery, enabling teams to productively share and integrate work tasks and documentation workflows across disciplines for projects of any size and complexity.
Project participants can precisely and easily access and manage rich data and geometry across the lifecycle regardless of format, without disruption.
Teams can make better decisions with immediate feedback and clear insight made possible through comprehensive visibility into design and project performance information.
Energy Grid modernization
Solar panels on your neighborhood library’s roof? Smart thermostats? Light bulbs that can be turned on with a smart phone? Is your electric utility making the best use of these new technologies? Probably not. That’s where grid modernization comes in…
Bringing intelligent software and smart tech to an old-fashioned system.
Modernizing your electric grid can also mean creating a “smart grid.” We make the system smarter mainly by updating our technology and infrastructure. This help ramps up energy efficiency with controllable street lights, enable the grid to use electric vehicles as backup power sources, or cut monthly bills by lowering the price of electricity when market rates drop.
A smarter grid also helps us better integrate more renewable energy like wind and solar and helps keep the lights on even when big storms sweep through.
Another example: smart technology that tells your hot water heater to lower the temperature when it’s hot outside. Choices like this don’t just allow you to save money; they eliminate the need for the dirtiest power plants, which only get switched on during the hottest days each year.
Grid Modernization Saves Us Money and Helps Fight Climate Change
Modernizing your electricity grid is a mix of policy changes and smaller investments that make the clean energy transformation possible. With a modern electric grid and the right utility incentives, we can support energy efficiency, keep the lights on, and keep our air, water, and climate safe.
CLIENTS
CONTACT
Inquiries
For any inquiries, questions or commendations, please call: 704-769-5449 or fill out the following form