HVAC Control in the New Millennium.pdf - HVAC.Amickracing

HVAC Control in the New MillenniumUtility deregulation is a direct result of the Federal Policy Act of1992. Competitive market-based pricing is replacing state and federalrate structures. In states that are still regulated, utilities are modifyingtheir rate structures to preserve their customer base in any future deregulatedenvironment.Open, competitive energy markets are unrestricted by geographicalboundaries and regulated rates. The different purchasing optionsand rate structures are similar to what occurred following the deregulationof the telephone industry.Advances in metering hardware, communications, and softwarehave significantly reduced the cost of how to monitor and control energyuse, even in regulated environments. Those who delay using theseadvances may see their costs rise significantly.Further advances in software and communications allow facilitiesto link their energy costs with labor/material costs and production rates.These new tools and technologies will allow companies to negotiatebetter rates with utility suppliers and determine more efficient productionmethods and schedules. These companies will be able to find manyways to significantly lower the once fixed cost of their energy use. Thenew options also allow companies to guard against unexpected powerreliability.Understanding energy requirements requires that you must knowhow your operations can tolerate an occasional interruption of power.Production or other operations may need to be shifted to off-peak times.Partial load interruptions or lower power quality may damage someequipment and expand maintenance costs resulting in lower productivityand lower quality.In recent years, environmental and political pressures haveforced more requirements on companies that discharge waste of anytype. Many industries are also facing higher quality standards. Oneexample of higher quality are those standards enforced by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pharmaceutical manufacturers.High levels of competition are also forcing improved quality. Competitivefactors and improved technology mean previously acceptablelevels of product quality become unacceptable. Most industrial customersrequire suppliers to have International Standards Organization (ISO)certification in all manufacturing processes.©2001 by The Fairmont Press, Inc. All rights reserved.