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What is Encorp's Energy Management Center?
What is an Intelligent Device?
How does the Energy Management Center differ from an enterprise energy management system?
Can the Energy Management Center work with an enterprise-level energy management system or other information technologies?
What DG applications can the Energy Management Center support?
What generation technologies can the Energy Management Center support?
Why should Encorp provide this service? Can't I do it myself?
What are the EMC's main features and benefits?
Who should I contact to learn more?
How long does it take to implement the Energy Management Center?
What hardware or software do I need?
What telecommunications infrastructure is required?
What is a Virtual Private Network?
Can I troubleshoot remotely using the EMC?
Can Encorp operate and monitor my gensets?
What points can be monitored?
What alarms can I choose from?
Can I alarm a third-party?
How is EMC data/information delivered to me?
How does the on-site computer handle data?
How can I access data and reports at my convenience?
How often is data sampled?
How do you prevent loss of data?
How is privacy handled?
What about Security? Data backup?
Does Encorp have emergency backup power at the EMC facility?
What is the EMC Operator Log?
How Does the EMC Operator Log Function?
How can I access the Operator Logs for my site?
How do I save a copy of a report?
How do I print a copy of a report?
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The Energy Management Center (EMC) is an automated service that communicates with intelligent devices at distributed energy sites and delivers access to information for better asset management and decision-making. Information is delivered in the form of electronic reports and alarms.
An intelligent device is any type of equipment, instrument, or machine that has its own computing capability. As computing technology becomes more advanced and less expensive, it can be built into an increasing number of devices. In addition to personal and handheld computers, the almost infinite list of possible intelligent devices includes cars, medical instruments, geological equipment, and home appliances. Within the context of Encorp's Energy Management Center, intelligent devices refer to energy generation equipment sensors, monitors, data collection devices and processors that aggregate and send data signals to remote monitoring and control centers.
The EMC is designed to be specific to the distributed energy market. However, the system has the capability to gather information from an enterprise system for integration into reports, alarms, and other systems, as desired.
Yes, the EMC is designed to be Technology Neutral, meaning the system is flexible and designed to interface with most commonly used communication protocols such as LonWorks, Modbus and OPC technology.
The EMC supports a multitude of applications, including combined heat and power (CHP), standby generation and grid interconnection applications (i.e. peak shaving, interruptible rate programs, etc.). The EMC is designed to be capable and flexible enough to gather raw data from a wide variety of sources and present meaningful information.
The EMC supports any technology equipped with intelligent devices. Encorp technology is designed to be Technology Neutral so it has the capability to interface with many digital and analog signals, and adapt to most intelligent devices. In addition to traditional reciprocating engine technology, emerging technologies such as fuel cells, wind power, photo-voltaics, and microturbines are all available as viable DG resources.
The EMC is designed to save time and money by making your power system and the maintenance of your system more efficient. But if you'd prefer, we can train you on the implementation and operation of an in-house operations center so you can coordinate your own comprehensive maintenance program.
Features and benefits range from simple monitoring for out-of-tolerance parameters for alarming, to full service analysis, reporting, and real-time control. The EMC can be customized to best meet your business needs. This allows you to select only the functionalities that offer the greatest benefit. Ultimately, determining your energy costs and understanding how to efficiently optimize your energy use translates directly to significant cost savings.
Contact Encorp at (888) 362-6771 to request additional information or to be transferred to someone who can answer your specific questions.
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Actually, that depends on your system and what you want to do. Normally, the process can be accomplished within a short time frame. Encorp prides itself on having one of the fastest delivery cycles in the industry thanks to our innovative product offerings, depth of engineering experience, and recent ISO 9001: 2000 registration. We work hard to understand your business goals and propose solutions based on your needs. This includes an estimated time frame.
Encorp offers a variety of solutions to meet your specific needs. A typical installation includes a Communications Processor Module (CPM) with gateway server software connected to monitoring equipment. The CPM, acting as a communications gateway, delivers information to the EMC and/or to your local site.
For most applications, a simple phone line or Internet connection is all that is required. The Communications Processor Module connects to the EMC through TCP/IP dial-up phone lines, Local Area Network (LAN) or Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a way to use a public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or individual users with secure access to their organization's network. A virtual private network is much less expensive - yet just as effective - as owning or leasing lines that are only used by one organization.
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The EMC was designed to provide tools to alert managers and maintenance personnel when problems arise at remote sites. Detailed information regarding your plant's status is automatically delivered from alarm notification events and summarized in the resulting alarm logs. Coupled with your weekly or monthly reports, it becomes easier to spot trends and take appropriate action.
Real-time remote troubleshooting is possible with Encorp's Virtual Maintenance Monitorä (VMM). VMM software provides site-specific generator metering, monitoring, and control. The VMMs remote "drill-down" capabilities provide detailed information including: energy demand metering, engine parameters, generator parameters, voltage and current harmonics, and overall system status.
Absolutely. Remote dispatching and monitoring is possible with the Virtual Power Plantä and Virtual Maintenance Monitorä. Encorp offers engineering, operational, continual monitoring and billing services for on-site power and cogeneration solutions. Encorp has the tools and expertise that, coupled with the EMC, can tailor a program that best fits your business needs.
With advancements in technology, the monitoring capability continues to expand. Encorp products are engineered to be flexible. By simply adding more I/O in the CPM to accommodate available site devices, you can monitor any parameter available. Applications often have dozens of points to monitor such as oil pressures, voltages, currents, cylinder temperatures, fuel flow, watts, etc. Encorp's applications are robust and scaleable. Data points are collected, analyzed, and presented as valuable information to accommodate your needs.
The flexibility of Encorp's software allows you to customize. You can alarm on any parameter you choose to monitor, or better yet, you can "gate" them for a specific logic of selected variables if that better meets your needs. Typical engine alarms include low oil pressure, low fuel, and high coolant temp. Generator alarms are items such as voltage high/low, power factor low, and frequency high/low. Contact Encorp for a complete list of standard and custom alarm points.
Yes. The EMC allows you to route your alarms to many types of media such as pager, phone (text messaging), or e-mail. You can route your information to virtually anyone, anywhere, anytime. The flexibility of Encorp software allows you to do what is necessary to effectively and safely run your business and manage your assets effectively.
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You can receive raw data directly or as a formatted report. EMC services can be customized to your business objectives. Encorp can monitor your equipment, manage alarms, and deliver reports. If you prefer, we can deliver raw data directly for your own analysis.
The Communications Processor Module (CPM) is designed to store data temporarily using a robust RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) hard disk drive architecture. Data is sent to the EMC at regular intervals where it is processed for display and permanent storage.
A custom offering of the EMC is Web Reporting - a near real-time, interactive web format for customers to view site information, reports, and conditions updated at 15-minute intervals.
You can specify the sample rate needed. Data is typically gathered at a rate of 50ms per parameter and therefore all variables are normally served on a one-minute or greater interval. A typical interval is every 15 minutes.
The Communications Processor Module (CPM) employs a Level 1 RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) hard-drive system where data is mirrored between two hard disk drives to ensure data integrity. Data is transmitted at regular intervals from the CPM's onboard database. In case of transmission interruption or unavailability of a communications link, data is preserved on the CPM for up to five days or longer as configured during startup. Once communications are restored, all data is transmitted to the EMC, where it is safely stored in a redundant SQL database.
Password access is an important part of your system. The EMC allows only authorized users access through password protection.
Data is initially stored locally on the CPM and guarded against data loss with a RAID (see," How do you prevent loss of data?") system. Data is then transferred to the EMC where it is safely stored in a redundant SQL database. This database is backed up on a daily basis.
Yes, Encorp has a redundant power system that includes both a UPS and a backup generator system.
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The EMC Operator Log is a tool used by technicians who visit remote sites with the purpose of performing work. It provides Field Service Personnel with a means of recording the type of work performed and time stamping this record. Recording responses to alarms and other system events provides valuable information that becomes available as part of the site's overall operating history.
Log entries are made by technicians and the data is then sent electronically to the EMC in one of two ways - both methods require Internet access.
- Once a technician has responded to an alarm or maintenance event at a site, he uses an Encorp EMC application on his laptop computer to create an Events Report and then emails it to the EMC for secure storage and retrieval.
- The technician may create an Event Report via the Encorp EMC website and submit it over the Internet making it part of the site's history.
The EMC Operator Log:
- Records date and time of the maintenance event
- Records a description of the maintenance and/or service performed
- Documents response time and field service trip length
Site Operator logs are accessed via secure web link and located with other EMC report information.
Encorp can email it to you and you can store the report in the presented format, such as Excel.
Emailed reports are delivered in HTML format making them easily printable.
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