SOLAR CHARGED ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT RACK EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Unit I
Introduction
Background of the Study
Electrical and Instrument Racks (EIRK), also known as enclosures, are cabinets which
serves the main purpose of safety preventing electrical shocks. It protects electronic and electric
equipment from in-line hazards as well as the environment. In the locality of the researcher in the
desert, numerous racks are placed in various strategic areas.
Commonly mounted in the EIRKs in the desert are remote terminal units (RTU), very
small aperture terminals (VSAT), cathodic protection (CP) panels, power for lighting, and other
miscellaneous loads. The power supply of the EIRKs comes from the grid thru overhead
transmission lines.
Of all the mounted items within the EIRK, the RTU and VSAT units are top priority and
optimally required to be operating without interruption. The two components combined have a
monitoring and reporting function. The RTU collects information such as amperage, voltage, and
pressure. The collected data are transmitted towards the company Control Center via the VSAT.
Such functions require the two components to be operating at all times.
Despite the need for uninterrupted power supply in the field, the EIRKs still experience
down times caused by power failures and outages. Although there are back-up generators, the
EIRKs still face some logistical problems since some of them are placed 300 kilometers away
from the Control Center. The researcher believes that this situation poses the need for an
innovation for its power supply thru solar energy.

SOLAR CHARGED ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT RACK EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Objectives of the Study

The need for an innovative back-up power supply for the EIRKs is essential where, at the
very least, the RTUs and VSATs shall be able to continue functioning even during power
interruption. The main objective of this study is to produce a feasible solution which shall supply
power for the important loads mounted within the EIRKs even in the most remote areas without
using non-renewable energy sources. Instead, this study shall try to utilize energy which is
abundant in the dessert, solar power. Within this theme, the researcher seeks to achieve the
following objectives:
1. To design an Electrical and Instrument Rack Emergency Solar Power Supply;
2. To fabricate the Emergency Solar Power Supply; and
3. To test and evaluate the designed prototype in terms of efficiency and effectiveness
during a normal power shutdown.
Conceptual Framework
This study shall follow the conceptual as shown in Figure 1. In order to realize this
undertaking, the researcher is required to have sufficient knowledge regarding electrical circuits,
solar energy, design and fabrication, as well as hardware components to be used in the prototype.
As a benchmark, the standards of the researchers employing company shall be followed.
This study shall strictly follow the code protocol of Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards.
After acquiring and meeting all required inputs, the initial process to materialize the
project is gathering the needed data. This includes identifying the load amount, the requirements
for the size of the battery and other information. This is followed by designing the circuit.
Afterwards, prototype fabrication proceeds. This involves the acquisition of components and
fabrication of other non-purchasable items, followed by the integration of all components for

SOLAR CHARGED ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT RACK EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

prototype development. Afterwards, the prototype is tested and evaluated in terms of its
performance efficiency and effectiveness.
The end result is a tested and functioning Solar Charged Electrical And Instrument Rack
Emergency Power Supply.

SOLAR CHARGED ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT RACK EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Significance of the Study

INPUT
of electrical
circuits
solar power
Accessible-Knowledge
and available
backup power
is and
essential
in all industries. This
- Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards
eliminates down time and reduces -productivity
losses. The researcher believes that the
EIRK Manual
-Knowlege in Design

development of the Solar Charged Electrical and Instrument Rack Emergency Power

Supply will be a significant contribution not only to the industry, but to various
stakeholders as well.
PROCESS
- Data gathering
- Circuit design
prototype shall ensure continuous operations
of the important EIRK components even
- Prototype fabrication
- Evaluation
during power outage.

First, this project will help the operations personnel of Saudi Aramco as the

Second, it will also be significant for Engineers as it may encourage them to develop and
invent machines, equipment, and tools that will make industrial activities more efficient and
effective.

OUTPUT
Lastly,
Solar companies
Charged Electrical
will also gain
And benefit
Instrument
from Rack
the development
EmergencyofPower
the prototype
Supply as it can

be used in the daily operations with or without normal power coming from the main power grid.
Figure 1: Conceptual Diagram
Scope and Delimitation
This project is designed for a special purpose which has its capabilities and limitations as
it is designed to do a particular task. This study scopes the conceptualization, design, fabrication,
testing, and evaluation of a solar charged electrical and instrument emergency power supply.
Specifically, this study scopes the standards of Saudi Aramco as a benchmark. Further,
this project scopes the components which are required by the prototype design. Furthermore, it
scopes the fabrication process of the prototype. Lastly, it includes the testing and evaluation of
the prototype in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness.

SOLAR CHARGED ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT RACK EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

This study limits itself in terms of functionality as it is designed to supply power to RTU
and VSAT loads only. Specifically, this prototype is limited for use by the EIRK units of Saudi
Aramco, which the combined RTU and VSAT load amounts to 15 amperes. Lastly, the prototype
limits itself to an operating time of two hours, the average power downtime being experienced at
Saudi Aramco

Definition of Terms
Downtime. This refers to power outage, the amount of time when the power supply form
the primary source of electricity is unavailable.
Electrical and Instrument Rack. This refers to an enclosure or a cabinet which serves
the main purpose of safety such as preventing electrical shocks. It protects electronic and electric
equipment from in-line hazards as well as the environment.
Grid. This refers to the main power line which supplies electricity to the entire company.
Load. This refers to the equipment which consumes electricity.
Photovoltaic. It is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation
into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect.
Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells
containing a photovoltaic material.
Remote Terminal Unit. This refers to an item enclosed within the EIRK which collects
information such as amperage, voltage, and pressure.
Solar Cell. A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts solar energy into
electricity by the photovoltaic effect.

SOLAR CHARGED ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT RACK EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Solar Energy. The radiant heat and light energy from the Sun is called as solar energy.
This is the most readily and abundantly available source of energy.
Very Small Aperture Terminals. This refers to an item enclosed within the EIRK which
transmits information.

Acronyms

EIRK Electrical and Instrument Rack.

RTU Remote Terminal Unit
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminals
PV - Photovoltaic
AC Alternating Current
DC Direct Current