Preparing your site for winter: A guide to reliable temporary power
As temperatures fall and daylight hours become shorter, maintaining a reliable power supply becomes increasingly important. Additional lighting, heating and site facilities can place greater demand on temporary power systems, while adverse weather can make unexpected disruption more challenging to resolve.
Planning ahead can help businesses maintain productivity, protect critical operations and avoid unnecessary downtime throughout winter. Here are some of the key areas to consider when preparing your site’s temporary power system.
Understand how your power requirements may change
A site’s energy requirements rarely remain consistent throughout a project, and winter can introduce additional demands that were not present during the warmer months.
Temporary lighting, electric heating, drying equipment, welfare facilities and other seasonal requirements can all increase the overall load. Reviewing these requirements before winter arrives allows the power system to be adjusted and helps ensure it can meet both typical demand and any anticipated peaks.
However, selecting a larger generator as a precaution is not always the best approach. An oversized generator operating at a consistently low load can use fuel inefficiently and increase operating costs. A detailed assessment of the site’s actual load profile can help identify a more appropriately sized and efficient solution.
Consider a hybrid power system
Where demand fluctuates throughout the day, combining a generator with a battery storage unit can provide a more efficient alternative to continuous generator operation.
The battery can supply power during periods of lower demand, allowing the generator to switch off rather than running inefficiently. When more power is required, the generator can operate to support the load and recharge the battery.
This approach can help to:
- Reduce generator runtime
- Lower fuel consumption and operating costs
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Provide quieter, zero-emission power for periods of the day
- Support changing site demand
Every site is different, so the equipment and system configuration should be selected around its specific operating requirements.
Review fuel storage and management
Poor weather, road disruption and increased seasonal demand can all affect fuel deliveries. Running out of fuel can bring operations to a sudden stop, making reliable fuel management an important part of winter planning.
Appropriately sized, secure and bunded fuel tanks can provide additional resilience and reduce the frequency of deliveries. Fuel levels and expected consumption should also be monitored closely so that deliveries can be scheduled before supplies become critical.
Choosing modern, fuel-efficient equipment and using battery storage to reduce unnecessary generator runtime can further extend the period between refuelling visits.
Inspect cabling and power distribution
A reliable generator is only one part of a complete temporary power installation. Cabling, connections and distribution equipment must also be suitable for the site environment and protected from adverse conditions.
Before winter, businesses should review the condition and positioning of cables, distribution boards and connection points. Equipment should be installed correctly and safely, with cable routes planned to reduce potential hazards in wet, icy or heavily trafficked areas.
A professionally designed power distribution system helps ensure electricity is delivered safely and effectively to the areas where it is needed.
Use remote monitoring to identify issues early
Temporary power systems should not only be installed and left to operate without oversight. Remote telemetry can provide real-time visibility of equipment performance, generator runtime, load levels, fuel consumption and battery activity.
At Wernick Power Solutions, equipment across the UK is monitored through our Power Optimisation Centre. By combining live operational data with specialist analysis, the team can identify equipment operating outside expected parameters and investigate potential issues before they lead to disruption.
The data can also highlight opportunities to resize equipment or improve how a system operates, helping customers reduce fuel consumption, emissions and operating costs throughout the project.
Plan maintenance before demand increases
Preventative maintenance plays an important role in keeping temporary power equipment reliable, particularly during periods of increased demand.
Generators, batteries, fuel systems and associated equipment should be inspected and maintained in line with the relevant servicing schedule. Addressing potential issues before winter can reduce the risk of avoidable breakdowns when reliable power is needed most.
It is also important to have a clear response plan in place. Working with a temporary power provider that offers nationwide technical support gives businesses access to specialist assistance if an unexpected issue occurs.
Choose a complete temporary power solution
Preparing for winter involves more than selecting a generator. The most effective temporary power systems consider equipment sizing, fuel management, battery storage, cabling, distribution, monitoring, maintenance and contingency planning as one complete solution.
Wernick Power Solutions works with customers to assess their requirements and provide tailored temporary power systems supported throughout the hire period. From efficient Stage V generators and VoltBank battery storage units to fuel tanks, cabling, distribution and remote monitoring, our team can provide the equipment and expertise required to keep sites operating reliably.
Planning your winter power requirements early provides more time to assess changing demand, select the right equipment and put the necessary support in place before conditions become more challenging.
Speak to Wernick Power Solutions to find out how we can support your site with a reliable, efficient and fully managed temporary power solution this winter.
