São Paulo World Trade Center Generates Reliable, Low-cost Peaking Power with System from Cummins Power Generation
SÃO PAULO, Brazil - Opened in October of 1995, the World Trade Center (WTC) São Paulo is truly an all-in-one complex. The 1.75-million-square-foot complex includes the state-of-the-art WTC Business Tower, the elegant Hotel Gran Meliá São Paulo WTC, and one of Latin America's most upscale malls, the D&D shopping center. To help ensure reliable and low-cost power to the enormous WTC São Paulo, Cummins Power Generation provided three gas-powered generator sets to reduce the cost of energy during the peak demand period and to guarantee power availability to the complex in the event of a utility outage or power crisis. Since 2003, the power system has reduced electricity costs and improved reliability to such an extent that the WTC promotes the power system in its advertising for tenants.
A world-class building
São Paulo is located in the southeast corner of Brazil, and is the capital of the state of the same name. A population of 18 million residents makes São Paulo the largest city in South America and the second largest city in the world. The city is considered to be the economic and financial center of South America.
Given the importance of São Paulo to the region, it is no surprise that there are many impressive buildings in the city. What sets the WTC São Paulo apart is the combination of size and sophistication. Its 1.75 million square feet makes it one of the largest commercial buildings in the world, while its superior design made the complex one of only six world trade centers-out of 330 worldwide-to receive Silver Certification by the World Trade Center Association (WTCA), the organization's highest endorsement.
The WTC Tower strikes a perfect balance between work and play. The building has 25 floors of office space equipped with modern telecommunications equipment, board and meeting rooms, and an automated building control system that allows remote premises management. The control system also manages maintenance tasks as well as lighting, elevators, alarms and air conditioning. The D&D shopping center features upscale stores, and the Hotel Gran Meliá has 300 rooms.
Powering the WTC
In October of 2003, the WTC São Paulo decided to install its own power center to help cope with rising energy costs. "After meeting with several companies and looking at numerous proposals, we decided on Cummins Power Generation," says Ferdinando Mugnato, General Manager of the WTC São Paulo. "We chose Cummins Power Generation because of their proven track record with other buildings in the area, advanced technology and better onsite support."
To provide peaking power for the enormous structure, the WTC São Paulo relies on three1.75 MW QSV91G lean-burn gas generator sets for a total generating capacity of 5.25 MW, enough to power a city of 5,000 residents. "Since the building is located in a commercial and residential zone, only natural gas-fueled power plants are approved by the environmental agency," notes Mugnato. In addition to the three generators, Cummins Power Generation installed a PowerCommand® DMC300 digital master control for operating the power plant, switchgear, transformers, transfer switches, and a diesel generator with "black start" capability to ensure the system would be able to start during a total power outage.
Fitting the building's layout
"One of the biggest obstacles to installing the generators in the building was the relatively small space we had to work with," notes Mugnato. "Cummins Power Generation examined the available space and devised a workable solution." The Cummins Power Generation solution was to
spread the components of the power system over three separate floors. "The generators are on the first two floors, and the switchgear and other equipment are on the third," says Mugnato.
Providing power at peak times
The main purpose of installing the generators was to reduce costs during peak times when electricity rates are at a premium. "Here in Brazil the cost of energy during the peak times of the day is much higher than off-peak times. For three hours a day in the late afternoon and early evening, the price of energy to commercial users is very high," explains Mugnato.
The generator sets from Cummins Power Generation in the WTC São Paulo run Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the summer and from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the winter. During that time, the typical load on the generators varies from 3.5 to 4.9 MW, depending on which facilities are in use. "By being able to produce our own power, we are able to save as much as 30 percent on energy costs during peak hours."
Backup power in case of emergency
Another purpose of the generators is to provide consistent and reliable power. Utility power in Brazil is not very reliable, and there are often outages and fluctuations in voltage that affect equipment inside the building. Brazil has also suffered energy shortages in the past when
rainfall has not been sufficient to support its largely hydroelectric generation systems.
"When the generators are running during the peak hours, they are paralleled with the local utility," explains Mugnato. "If there is a utility failure, then the generators are automatically isolated from the grid and provide power independently to the WTC São Paulo." In the event of a major utility power outage, the installed generators are capable of powering the entire building; however, some load shedding would be required at certain periods of the day.
To date, the generator sets from Cummins Power Generation have been a towering success that has helped make the WTC São Paulo one of the most elite buildings in the world. "Supplying power 100 percent of the time without any interruptions as well as achieving cost savings during peak hours are two major features the WTC São Paulo can promote," says Mugnato.
For more than 80 years, Cummins Power Generation has been a major force in increasing the availability and reliability of electric power around the world. Its extensive global distributor network delivers innovative power solutions for any onsite power need from remote prime power systems, to clean, energy efficient cogeneration systems, to waste-to energy power systems that extend our natural resources. For more information on peaking and backup power generation systems that allow economic benefits contact a local Cummins distributor or visit www.cumminspower.com .
Cummins Contact: Eunice Kwei Biritwum
Cummins Power Generation
763-574-5571
Eunice.A.Kwei@cummins.com
Agency Contact: Robert E. Sheldon
Creative Communications Consultants, Inc.
612-338-5098
rsheldon@cccinc.com
