Crestchic’s load bank solutions are used to test backup power systems, ensuring that they will work effectively when needed. With businesses increasingly choosing to invest in back-up power systems to reduce the likelihood of costly downtime in the event of a power outage, Crestchic’s rental division is able to supply load banks of various sizes and capacities on both short and long term hire agreements, with offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and across the Asia Pacific.

In his new role, Victor will play a pivotal role in collaborating with customers across the region to understand their power testing requirements. Providing Crestchic’s extensive range of load banks, transformers, and peripherals, Victor will cater to the needs of mission-critical applications in sectors such as oil and gas, utilities, data centres, and defence.

Paul Cotton, European Rental Sales Director at Crestchic, commented, “We are seeing increased demand for power testing systems all over the world, and the market looks set to grow further. We’re delighted to welcome Victor on board. His experience in business development and key account management positions him as a valuable asset to our French team. With a dedication to customer excellence and a growing technical proficiency, Victor is well-equipped to provide comprehensive guidance to customers and support growing demand for Crestchic’s products in the French market.”

Crestchic is no stranger to continuous investment. As well as growing its team significantly over recent months, the company has invested in manufacturing facilities, more than doubling its manufacturing output over the past two years. This ongoing investment in people and infrastructure demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality power testing solutions and strengthening its foothold in the global marketplace.

Victor added, “I’m eager to engage with industry professionals throughout France and showcase how Crestchic’s cutting-edge power solutions can bring tangible benefits to organisations.“

To find out more about Crestchic’s range of load banks and power testing solutions in France, visit https://crestchic.fr/ 

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Research carried out by UK Power, in August 2023, highlighted that power outages are something that the UK public is becoming increasingly familiar with. Whether caused by adverse weather, high energy demand, or failures within the electricity network, the data revealed that two-thirds of respondents had experienced a power cut in their local area, 23% experienced power cuts annually, and 4% experienced a loss of power every two to three weeks. The survey results also showed that power cuts last up to two and a half hours on average across the UK. 

The frequency and longevity of these incidents means the impact on households is undeniable – ranging from lack of phone and internet use, to being unable to use other electrical appliances, or losing food stored in freezers. For businesses operating in the affected areas, power outages can result in a loss of data, lost production and productivity, damage to sensitive machinery and equipment, lost sales, missed deadlines, and reputational damage. 

During the 2023/34 storms season, which runs from September ‘23  to August ‘24, the UK has already seen a number of named storms –  Agnes, Babet, Ciarán, Debi, Elin, Fergus and Gerrit in 2023, Henk, Isha and Jocelyn in Jan ‘24, and Kathleen in April. A storm will be named when it has the potential to cause disruption or damage which could result in an amber or red warning – both of which include the risk of power cuts. This weekend – the impact was widespread – with power cuts reported from Great Yarmouth to Weymouth. In Ruthin, a town in South Wales, an outage caused the Tesco store to lose thousands of pounds worth of stock. 

Paul Brickman, from Crestchic loadbanks, explains, “Even the briefest of power outages can have a catastrophic impact on businesses of all sizes. The UK is becoming more dependent on electricity, and networks, processes and value chains are becoming increasingly complex and interdependent. Add extreme weather events and the changing energy landscape into the mix, and having a power resilience plan is fast becoming a business necessity.” 

To reduce both the risk and impact of outages, Paul and the Crestchic team recommend that businesses have backup power systems in place – and that they regularly test these power systems to ensure that they will work effectively should an outage occur. 

Paul continues “A good testing regime involves using a loadbank to commission and test backup power systems. In the case of a generator, a loadbank should be used to apply a load to the equipment in controlled, non-emergency conditions. Doing this means we can test how the generator – and its fuel, exhaust, and cooling systems – will respond under emergency conditions. This is the only way to ensure that your business can continue to operate in the event of a power cut. And, with the frequency of outages on the rise, businesses should heed the warning, and ensure their backup power systems are in place, and working efficiently”. 

For more information on how to reduce the impact of power outages on your business operations, speak to our team.

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As the demand for reliable and resilient data centre infrastructure continues to grow, Crestchic is excited to showcase its range of load testing solutions, which are tailored to meet the unique needs of the data centre industry. 

With 40 years of experience in providing load testing equipment, Crestchic Loadbanks has sales, rental and service operations and a range of solutions to ensure the performance and efficiency of critical power systems worldwide. These include: 

• Resistive-only load banks typically up to 300kW for heat load testing
• Rack mounted server emulators for heat load- testing
• Capacitive load banks to test with the leading power factor often associated with servers
• Large multi-megawatt, medium voltage load bank packages to test and synchronise multigenset systems on a common bus with a lagging power factor
• DC load banks to test UPS systems for close battery analysis and discharge performance
• Resistive-reactive load banks for testing the whole system operation in an emergency change-over scenario

Visitors to the Crestchic Loadbanks stand at Data Centre World can speak to the team about the critical role of load banks in validating the reliability of backup power systems, and load bank testing can ensure data centre operators can meet strict uptime SLAs in the face of power outages.

Paul Brickman, Commercial Director at Crestchic Loadbanks commented, “Data Centre World offers an excellent platform for networking with industry professionals, and we are looking forward to engaging with peers, clients, and potential partners to discuss the evolving landscape of data centre infrastructure and the increasing need for power resilience.”

Visit Crestchic Loadbanks at stand D1010 during Data Centre World in London, this March. Crestchic Loadbanks’ team of experts will be on hand to provide in-depth consultations and answer questions about load testing best practices, compliance, and the latest industry trends.

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Power failures loom high on risk register 

The article, which appeared on 12th December, stated, “work was already underway to prepare for a national blackout with generators able to provide eight days of energy for essential services.” The work forms part of the council’s corporate risk register, which explores both the severity of the risk and the likelihood of it happening. While the possibility of a power failure has been identified to be low, the potential impact is huge, with the report stating, “Total failure of this system would cause a nationwide loss of electricity supplies instantaneously and without warning. This would cause cascading failures across multiple sectors including telecoms, water, gas, sewage, food, health and fuel, and cause significant disruption to public service provision and most businesses and households. These disruptions could lead to physical and psychological casualties or fatalities due to the loss of the services relied upon by many, especially those with health and wellbeing vulnerabilities”.

To mitigate the impact of this low-risk but very high-impact scenario, the council has already got backup power generators in place. And here, warns Paul, lies another layer of risk that needs to be mitigated. 

Power resilience, grid balancing and the energy transition 

Paul explains, “Most of us can’t even begin to imagine our lives without electricity. From basics such as heat, light and utilities to consumer tech, to the infrastructure around us – including transport, businesses and healthcare. We are completely reliant!  At the same time, there is an ongoing push to transition from fossil fuel-generated electricity to renewable sources. While the move is one that arguably needs to happen, the transition can pose an issue with balancing a less stable supply with fluctuating demand. In environments which rely on electricity to operate, the consequences of even a short power system failure could at best have a significant financial impact and, at worst, be a threat to human life.”

Backup generator testing is key 

In the main, organisations such as councils, utilities, businesses and healthcare providers have backup power in place. Power resilience plans are increasingly becoming part and parcel of risk registers such as the one produced by East Lothian Council. While investing in generators is the first step in any power resilience plan, the generators must be proactively maintained to ensure that they operate effectively in the event of a crisis. 

Paul explains, “In the main, generators and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems will be tested by the manufacturer in the factory before delivery. Many businesses will assume this is all that’s needed, and that the generator will work when called upon. In fact, despite their bulk, generators can be sensitive to changes in the environment such as temperature and humidity, as well as the impact of lifting, moving and transporting the equipment. Fuel, cooling and exhaust systems may all be different from the systems used at the factory. For this reason, backup power systems must be commissioned accurately and tested in situ, rather than assuming a plug-and-play scenario.”

Load banks, commissioning and preventative maintenance 

The only way to accurately test and commission a new system is to use a load bank – a piece of equipment that applies a “dummy” electrical load to a generator to force it into action. The load bank mimics the type of load that the generator would use in normal operational conditions. This test allows the fuel, exhaust and cooling systems and alternator insulation resistance to be effectively tested and system issues uncovered in a safe, controlled manner without the cost of major failure or unplanned downtime. 

Paul continues, “As with any piece of equipment, ongoing preventative maintenance is key to the operational efficiency of the generator. Once commissioned, generators should be tested at least annually. The risks of failing to test are that the system just doesn’t work when you need it most. With the fuel, exhaust and cooling system untested, along with the potential for embedded moisture, your backup power system – the very system you rely on in an emergency – will itself fall into the very high-risk category.”

“The news article from West Lothian Council sounds incredibly alarming. The reality is that this type of power resilience planning should be happening in organisations across the world, so it’s positive to hear that they have generators in place. I’d love to dig a little deeper, and make sure those generators are being adequately cared for. They might be big powerful engines that are known for their reliability. But, with the risk of failure so high, a little TLC can go a long way.” 

Find out more about the role of load banks in generator maintenance and power resilience by getting in touch on our website, here: Contact Us.

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PowerEx Live offers networking opportunities for professionals working in Genset, CHP, Data Centre and Consultancy industries. The team will be available to chat with customers about how load banks ensure uptime in business-critical industries.

Paul Brickman, Commercial Director at Crestchic, commented, “Our reliance on power, and ongoing power transition, means that it is vital that we’re prepared for the potential devastation caused by outages. To mitigate this risk, load banks are integral to the commissioning and ongoing testing of backup power sources and generators. PowerEx is a great opportunity to meet with potential customers to help them to plan their power resilience strategies, but it’s also a very valuable event in terms of networking with other power industry suppliers. We’re looking forward to catching up with customers and industry colleagues at this years event.” 

Crestchic’s range of solutions include:

• Manufacture and supply of load banks from 20kW up to 7000kW.
• Large multi-megawatt, medium voltage load bank packages to test and synchronise multi-genset systems on a common bus with a lagging power factor
• Resistive-reactive load banks for testing the whole system operation in an emergency change-over scenario
• Data centre specific solutions such as Resistive-only load banks and Rack mounted server emulators for heat load- testing
• Capacitive load banks to test with the leading power factor often associated with servers

PowerEx Live is organised by one of the leading publications companies in the field of power generation and energy today, Power Media International Group Ltd. For more information about the event, visit the website at https://www.powerexlive.co.uk/about 

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Chris Caldwell, Managing Director at Crestchic and member of the AMPS committee, commented: “Innovation is the lifeblood of progress in our sector. As suppliers and manufacturers in the power sector, we must evolve to meet the needs of new and emerging technologies. What we do is inextricably linked to the energy transition and, as we navigate this rapidly changing energy landscape, we must celebrate and support initiatives that embrace working practices which contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability.”

Crestchic has a longstanding history of supporting AMPS, with a track record of success as proud winners in various categories. In 2022, Crestchic won Manufacturer of the Year, Member Company of the Year, and Engineer of the Year, underscoring the company’s dedication to excellence and leadership within the power generation community.

Commenting on Crestchic’s continued support of AMPS, Chris said, ” AMPS provides an invaluable platform for professionals to come together, share knowledge, and recognise outstanding contributions. As we have experienced firsthand, being a part of AMPS fosters a spirit of collaboration and excellence.”

The Energy and Sustainability Award sponsored by Crestchic reflects the company’s commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices and solutions within the power generation sector. Chris explains, “Sustainability is not just a buzzword; it’s a responsibility we bear as an industry. We know first-hand that delivering carbon savings isn’t a quick win. We’re in the process of switching our fleet to electric vehicles and have installed EV charging points and opted for energy-efficiency lighting systems in our factories – even seemingly small changes can take time and cost commitment. That’s why we are keen to recognise those who are making a meaningful impact in driving sustainable practices and shaping a cleaner, more efficient future.

“We look forward to an exceptional evening on the 16th of November and wish all the finalists the very best of luck.”

The AMPS awards take place on the 16th of November, at the National Motorcycle Museum.

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Formerly known as PowerGen Asia, Enlit Asia aims to foster collaboration among all key players in the ASEAN energy sector, including policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and energy consumers, while also integrating international perspectives from the United States, Europe, and Australia. This event is an ideal opportunity for Crestchic Loadbanks to engage with stakeholders from across the industry to explore the role of load testing in the ongoing energy transition in Southeast Asia.

“With energy demand surging, and a significant shift towards renewable energy sources, there is a pressing need for solutions that will ensure grid reliability and stability, as well as for testing renewable power solutions,” said Paul Brickman, Commercial Director at Crestchic Loadbanks.

Indonesia’s energy landscape is undergoing a transformation. The country accounts for approximately two-fifths of the region’s energy consumption, with energy demand expected to increase significantly. To address this demand, Indonesia is actively reducing its reliance on domestic coal and imported petroleum while increasing its use of renewable energy sources. The government has set ambitious targets to achieve 23% renewable energy use by 2025 and 31% by 2050.

Paul continues, “Load banks play a critical role in this energy transition. Crestchic’s load-testing solutions help to ensure the reliability and performance of power systems, generators, and renewable energy installations. By simulating real-world conditions, load banks enable the testing and optimisation of power infrastructure, helping to identify weaknesses, improve efficiency, and ensure grid stability.”

Crestchic Loadbanks invites visitors to the Enlit Asia event to join the team on Stand 2019 to learn more about their load-testing solutions. With sales and rental offices all over the world, the company is excited to contribute to the discussions that will shape the future of energy in Southeast Asia.

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Paul Brickman, Commercial Director at Crestchic Loadbanks, commented: “As the demand for reliable data centre infrastructure continues to grow, Crestchic is dedicated to delivering advanced load-testing solutions that ensure the uninterrupted performance of critical power systems. The Data Centre World Event offers the perfect platform for Crestchic to showcase its latest innovations and engage with professionals from the data centre industry.”

Visitors to the Crestchic stand (R65) can gain insights from the company’s team of experts who will be available to answer questions, provide product information, and offer recommendations tailored to specific data centre requirements.

• Crestchic Loadbanks will showcase its comprehensive range of loadbank solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of data centres, from small-scale testing to large, complex installations.
• The team will be available for discussions on power resilience strategies and how load testing can play a pivotal role in safeguarding data centre operations during power outages or emergencies.
• Crestchic Loadbanks experts will be on hand to provide insights into best practices for generator testing, ensuring data centre operators have complete confidence in their backup power systems.
• Learn about Crestchic Loadbanks’ bespoke solutions, including trailerised loadbanks for multi-generator sites and loadbanks for heat load testing. 

Founded in 1983, Crestchic is one of the world’s leading specialist manufacturers of loadbanks which are used in the testing of power supplies in the most demanding climactic and environmental conditions across seven continents. Operating from locations in the UK, North America, Singapore, France, Germany, and the Middle East, the company is at the forefront of innovation and design, with thriving sales and rental operations and a loyal and growing customer base worldwide.

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Bethany’s desire to do the course stemmed from a genuine interest in helping people to reach their goals and full potential. What started as supporting friends and family grew into a professional interest, and Bethany saw the qualification as an ideal start to developing her interest in people and taking it to the next level professionally.

Bethany has been completing the course online and outside of work. If keeping up with online lessons and getting to grips with doing assignments after a 17-year break from education was not enough, Bethany completed the course while also managing a home renovation, supporting her husband to study, and being Mum to two lively young boys!

Bethany explains, “We have been renovating our “dream home” for the past 13 months and should finally be moving in early-mid August! My two sons continuously keep me on my toes with their various activities, and my husband has just graduated from Staffordshire University with a First in BEng(Hons) in Engineering Management. So yes, life is busy! There were a lot of weekends spent on the laptop typing up assignments – it was a shock to the system initially, but I soon got the hang of it and thankfully managed to complete my course successfully.”

As well as achieving her CIPD level 3, Bethany has also recently qualified as a Mental Health First Aider and also passed a very intensive IOSH Managing Safely course, which gives her a very good understanding of managing our engineers when they are on site.

Asked about her future aspirations, Bethany replied, “The qualifications I have gained over recent years give me insight into how Crestchic can support employees to reach their full potential and the importance of a safe, positive work culture and effective communication. I would love to continue my People Practice learning journey and begin my CIPD Level 5 over the Autumn/Winter.”

A huge well done Bethany, from everyone at Crestchic!

Founded in 1983, Crestchic is one of the world’s leading specialist manufacturers of load banks which are used in the testing of power supplies in the most demanding climactic and environmental conditions across seven continents. Operating from locations in the UK, North America, Singapore, France, Germany, Belgium and the Middle East, the company is at the forefront of innovation and design, with thriving sales and rental operations and a loyal and growing customer base worldwide.

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Tackling the issue head-on, technology innovator, G-volution Ltd, in conjunction with COLAS Rail UK, used Crestchic load banks to test the use of a new carbon reduction solution. The technology in question uses a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) to power auxiliary electric power requirements in rail applications, which account for around 10-15% of the total power demand on freight trains. The project is funded by the Department for Transport through the First of a Kind 2022 competition, delivered by Innovate UK.

Paul Howard, Engineering Director at G-volution, comments on the challenges faced by the UK rail industry and the significance of this project:

“Statistically speaking, 25% of all UK passenger trains and 90% of freight trains are diesel-powered. Through the ‘Transport Decarbonisation Plan’, the government has committed to delivering a net zero rail network by 2050. And, while there is a move to remove diesel trains as part of the longer-term plan, it is vital that the industry makes incremental and sustained carbon reductions along the way. As well as providing a greener power source to fulfil auxiliary electric power requirements, the technology will remove the need for diesel powertrains to remain powered up or idling during dwell times, which can cause up to 20% of freight locomotive fuel consumption and emissions.”

Cleaner, greener, and cheaper to operate

G-volution’s concept is based on using a SOFC to supply the auxiliary load required on a Class 37 locomotive. Whilst the engine itself remains diesel powered, auxiliary power is used for various essential on-board systems, including the locomotive’s lighting systems, including headlights, marker lights, and cab lights; the control systems; heating and ventilation; auxiliary equipment such as fans, pumps, compressors, and motors; and the onboard communication systems.

By powering these systems using a greener source of energy, the overall emissions of the locomotive can be reduced significantly. It also means that engines can be switched off when locomotives are in the station, reducing emissions while still having access to auxiliary power for all other on-board requirements.

Importantly, the fuel cells can be combined with dual fuel operation of the diesel engine to provide additional carbon-saving benefits for vehicle operators, offering futureproof options for additional deployment going forwards.

Paul continues: “Like other Freight Operating Companies, Colas Rail has a dependency on heritage locomotive fleets such as the Class 37s. In Colas Rail’s case, this is to support their customer, Network Rail, with data collection, a nationwide operation across the whole of the GB Network. Class 37s are the only locomotive that can do this job due to their low axle weight and RA5 gauge acceptance. The integration of SOFC technology is an exciting prospect for Colas Rail, allowing one of the oldest locomotives on the network to use what could be one of the most efficient power transfer systems available utilising a lower carbon non-fossil fuel.”

Crestchic load banks used to gather critical emissions data

As a proof of concept, G-volution used three 350/700V DC 667kW Crestchic load banks, connected in parallel, to simulate the load generated by the Class 37 diesel locomotive when fuelled by conventional diesel.

By performing the tests, engineers were able to directly measure emissions, including nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and particulate emissions. With Solid Oxide Fuel Cells known to be virtually free of NOx, SOx, and particulate matter emissions, G-volution was able to use the load bank to gather the data required to prove the concept.

The load banks were equipped with Crestchic’s Corona/Fusion software to allow constant voltage/current function and data capture plus a handheld Terminal controller for ease of use.

Paul continues: “Live tests of this nature require a significant financial and logistical investment, so we needed to be confident that the load banks we were using would perform without fault and give us the data we needed to successfully prove the concept.”

Bringing co-consumption to the rail market

No stranger to carbon reduction projects in the rail industry, G-volution previously developed the Optimiser™ System, a dual-fuel technology that enables diesel engines to combust diesel and Natural Gas (or other greener and cheaper fuels, Bio-LPG, Bio-methane, or Hydrogen) simultaneously, which saves approximately 20%+ on fuel costs and reduces some emissions by up to 90%. The auxiliary power project with Colas Rail was part of the First of a Kind competition 2022, in partnership with Innovate UK, which focused on new concepts that will help to decarbonise the network.

Paul Brickman, Commercial Director, for Crestchic loadbanks concludes:

“G-volution’s technology paves the way for decarbonisation of a historic industry in the UK. Using our load banks to simulate the power load of a locomotive in order to test the efficacy of alternative fuels is the latest exciting project Crestchic has supported for the renewables sector. This is important work for the decarbonisation of major industries and we are proud to play our part in that transition.”

Need load bank testing for your carbon reduction project?

For support employing load bank testing for your decarbonisation project, speak to the Crestchic team today on +44 (0) 1283 531 645 or visit the website here.

ENDS

^{1 https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/infrastructure-and-emissions/rail-emissions/}

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