Solar Powered Centralized Off Grid UPS for Lifts in Multi-Storey Buildings

Lift is an invention that has effectively enabled urban development at scale worldwide, come with its own unique challenges. With perhaps the biggest being the issue of dependable power supply. As most people who have been using lifts for a long enough time know, lift power failures are a routine occurrence. From extreme weather conditions to grid failures to fallen trees and distribution problems— many factors can play their part in disconnecting the power supply and halting the smooth working of lift systems in multistorey buildings. With no power, the lifts cannot continue their up and down motion and are reduced to a box tied to robust cables.

Today, shoppers of supermalls and visitors of multistorey complexes expect zero issues or inconveniences related to lifts. That has created a market for special devices to prevent a poor lift experience.

What happens when the power supply from the grid fails?

When the grid supply discontinues, the lift abruptly stops with a jerk. If there is no power backup integrated into the lift system, it will continue to stay still until the grid supply is restored. An extremely efficient technology- the Emergency Rescue Device– has been designed to eliminate the occurrence of such dangerous situations resulting from getting trapped in a lift.

Centralized Emergency Rescue Device for Lifts

An Emergency Rescue Device is a technology capable of providing power backup to lifts with a three-phase power supply during a power failure from the mains supply.

An Emergency Rescue Device can be designed as a centralized system to power a cluster of lifts and elevators together. A 50 KVA to 500 KVA central Emergency Rescue Device system can power 4 to 50 lifts together and can be placed in a ground location in the building to reduce maintenance and space costs.

A centralized ERD system can also help power common building operations, such as common lighting loads, HVAC systems, water motors, electrical systems of fire services, security systems, and much more. This way, there is no gap of power, and they run as the online ups works

Su-Vastika’s centralized ERD System for High Rise Apartments

Gurugram’s Su-Vastika, under its Managing Director Khushboo Sachdev, has emerged as the sole developer of ERD power backup-based technology. The company has also received a patent for this technology.

The firm’s team of experts has been working to make this storage-based technology a reality for a long time. In recent years, they have successfully installed their Emergency Rescue Device in commercial spaces as a centralized lift backup system to provide backup to multiple lifts together in events of sudden power failure.

Su-Vastika has designed two centralized ERD systems of 150 KVA & 200 KVA for Chintels Paradiso (high rise apartments) in Gurugram, India. This central system can operate 18 lifts, each with an 11.5 KV lift capacity at a time. These centralized ERD systems have zero switching time. Therefore, motors and other loads connected to them have no inrush current requirements, and there is practically no break in services and operations. Also, central ERD systems are customizable, meaning they can be designed to suit a client’s requirements for a cluster of commercial or residential buildings.

Is the central ERD System solar-compatible?

Emergency Rescue Device ensures passenger safety and provides a complete power backup system for lifts with zero switching time to building owners. But as the world moves towards solar, a major question arises “Is a centralized ERD system solar-enabled?”

ERD is a clean and sustainable technology. A central ERD system is designed to be made hundred percent compatible with solar energy by integrating a photovoltaic system (charge controller and solar panels). The photovoltaic system recharges ERD’s power bank.

When there is enough sunlight, the power bank of the ERD system charges with solar energy; however, the battery charges through shared solar and grid power during low sunlight hours. Electricity produced this way is used to recharge the battery bank. During the night or low-sunshine hours, the energy stored in the power bank helps continue the smooth operation of lifts.

Benefits of a solar-enabled central ERD system

A solar-enabled central ERD system has numerous economic and ecological benefits for the business. Have a look at them-

Reduces electricity bill

Installing a solar-enabled central ERD system in your buildings is a great investment. When batteries are charged, and solar is available, the ERD system switches off from the mains supply and completely works on the battery bank. This way, solar power start helping you save money on electricity bills from day one by considerably reducing your reliance on expensive grid power for charging your ERD system’s battery bank. A solar system’s initial cost may seem higher than inefficient and pollution-causing generators. The return on this investment mostly exceeds your initial cost.

Environment friendly

Using solar is an eco-friendly option; it does not require burning fossil fuels. Hence it helps fight climate change and improve the quality of air. Also, the solar system eliminates the need for using pollution-causing generators as it can provide long-term backup. Hence, along with controlling your electricity bills, a solar-enabled central ERD system is an asset that controls your carbon footprints.

Improves company image

Installing a solar system is suitable for your company’s image. It creates a green and sustainable identity for your business by showing that you are committed to helping the planet by opting for sustainable options. Furthermore, it makes you feel good about reducing the carbon footprints of your business.

Low maintenance cost

Using generators for power backup is costly concerning maintenance expenses. Generators require regular maintenance. Solar PV is a low-maintenance system; it is robust and can withstand extreme weather conditions without needing costly repairs. Also, most high-quality solar panels come with a warranty, so even if you face any issues, you can easily get them fixed or swapped.

How long does it take to recover the initial cost of solar installation?

When it comes to solar investment, payback time is an important consideration, but since solar installations are customizable so no two setups can be the same. In the case of solar installation for central ERD systems, payback time depends on factors including the number of solar panels drawing the sun’s energy, the batteries being charged, the initial installation cost, etc.

Normally, the payback time of solar PV installation is 2 to 4 years. But considering the 25+ years lifetime of a solar system, low maintenance cost, and reduced electricity bills, it won’t take long before you start using no-cost solar energy for the rest of its lifespan.