The Winter Blackout Warning

Recent news headlines regarding the potential for a ‘winter energy crisis’ sent a ripple of shockwaves throughout Britain.

Despite the fact that ministers have now scrapped proposals for the Energy Price Guarantee plan - a scheme set to reward householders for reducing their energy consumption in an effort to conserve supplies, Britons remain concerned about the instability of the energy situation.

The talk of gas restrictions and ensuing temporary power cuts has been disturbing, with many now feeling exposed that systems and critical infrastructure could be offline for hours at a time. Homeowners and businesses alike are becoming increasingly aware they need a backup power option to bridge the gap in supply should the speculation become a reality.

A growing number are now relying on UPS solutions to provide that peace of mind. In the event of a mains failure, the units act as a temporary power source ensuring vital systems and equipment remain online - protecting important electrical technology, computers, telecommunications networks, IT equipment, infrastructure and machinery. The UPS system helps to reduce the risk of damage to this sensitive equipment, while also safeguarding against loss of data and possible hours wasted through unnecessary downtime.

Are We Right To Be Concerned?

The subject of a winter energy crisis was first raised earlier this year when energy regulator, Ofgem, warned that due to the war in Ukraine and gas shortages in Europe, there was a significant risk of a gas supply emergency throughout Britain during the winter of 2022/2023.

The topic surfaced again earlier this month as headlines advised the chance of gas shortages had risen markedly, prompting new contingency plans to prioritise heating throughout the colder months.

The National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) joined the conversation, warning of planned three hour power blackouts that could be imposed in some areas if gas supplies were falling short of demand. This measure was revealed as part of an update on the UK’s state of energy readiness – thereport showing that under a ‘base case scenario’, margins between peak demand and power supply were expected to be sufficient and similar to those in recent years. However under a move that has since been labelled ‘extraordinary measures’, EU countries have now formally agreed to a voluntary 10% cut in gross electricity consumption and a mandatory reduction of 5% during peak hours to preserve stocks.

The subsequent proposal and then U-turn for an Energy Price Guarantee plan, encouraging households to reduce their energy use throughout the winter season fuelled concerns further however according to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy there are now “no plans for the government to tell the public to reduce usage for the sake of our energy supplies”.

The conflicting messages and retraction of information has left many confused on what the actual state of affairs in relation to gas and electricity is. Ministers are insisting that the UK’s highly secure and diverse gas and electricity system has prepared the country for “all and every eventuality” however there is perhaps an air of politicking in the messages that are coming through.

Depending on your view the headlines may lean towards scaremongering but what is of absolute certainty, is that the current situation is both challenging and unstable.

Historically, Europe has always relied on Russia for around 40% of its natural gas however following the cut of Russian gas supplies, in response to Western sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, storage tanks are currently filled to only 90% of their capacity. By February/March, high winter demand will have reduced this to around 25% - 30%.

According to Fatih Birol, executive director of the Paris based International Energy Agency (IEA) Europe should survive the coming winter unless there are “political or technical surprises” however it is clear to see the vulnerable position Europe will be in when storage tanks need to be refilled. The IEA has warned that it expects gas markets to remain constricted well into 2023 as Russia continues to restrict supplies.

How Much Protection Can A UPS System Provide?

In the event of mains failure or imposed ‘power blackouts’, a UPS solution will provide the secondary or backup power supply that is required to ensure vital equipment remains connected. While some UPS units are only able to provide temporary emergency power for a short duration,models with a longer runtime can provide anything between 2 – 8 hours of cover. With these systems the backup time available depends on the power consumption of the UPS, the power of the load and the battery capacity.

How Do I Determine The Size Of UPS Solution I Need?

To determine the size of the UPS solution required, you will need to identify the total power load of any equipment you are intending to connect (measured in VA/Watts) along with the amount of runtime required (in minutes). Include any potential equipment you may also want to connect to the UPS system in future too as this will affect your calculations.

Estimating the expected runtime can be a challenge however choosing a UPS solution with a load capacity 30 – 35% higher than the required power load offers the advantage of a longer runtime, allows for spare capacity and reduces the risk of overload.

The initial outlay of a larger unit may be more expensive however as the UPS unit will then be operating below maximum capacity, there will be less stress on components which in turn will reduce operating costs in the longer-term.

Not Sure On Your Calculations?

If you are unsure of the type or size of model you need, it would be advisable to seek professional help. The team at Secure Power calculate loads and runtimes on a daily basis and can help find the right solution to meet your requirements, whether this is for a home-working environment or business setting.

Whilst much remains uncertain, the cut of Russian gas supplies is going to have a direct impact on the gas and electricity available in Britain and throughout Europe. The question does not appear to be ‘if’ but more ‘when’ that impact is felt and to what degree.

If you are not convinced, as most people aren’t, by the sudden U-turns and vague assurances the British public have been given, maybe it would be wise to put backup plans in place now. At least then, should another U-turn happen or the ‘unprecedented measures’ be imposed you’ll have the peace of mind and security in place that you need.

Secure Power has been providing critical power solutions for over a decade and has earned an industry wide reputation for delivering first class backup power services. With preventative maintenance at the core of its business, Secure Power has its own team of engineers, available nationwide, 24/7. The company offers a wide range of UPS end-to-end project management solutions alongside ongoing maintenance and service works, battery testing, removal and relocation. For more information about Secure Power’s backup power protection services please get in touch with a member of our team on 0800-080-3118.