Maria Anzbach / Steyr – At a time when awareness of the importance of an uninterruptible power supply is increasing, many institutions and companies are faced with the challenge of preparing for possible power outages. This is especially true for the city of Steyr, which wanted to ensure a reliable emergency power supply as part of its blackout prevention plans. The Lower Austrian family-owned company EPS Electric Power Systems was commissioned with the project, which equipped the municipal utilities with a new emergency power generator.
City Councillor Mag. Katrin Auer: “Blackout prevention is an important concern for the city of Steyr. The city administration itself is very committed to this area and contributes extensive personal knowledge. I am all the more pleased that we have found a competent partner in EPS who will help us with innovative solutions to secure the infrastructure of our city even better.”
Mag. Peter Hochgatterer, Managing Director of Stadtbetriebe Steyr, is also pleased to have found a reliable partner from the region in EPS: “Our motto is ‘Preparedness for emergencies’. With the successful implementation of the emergency power generator, the city of Steyr is taking an important step towards a secure and sustainable power supply.”
Grid-parallel emergency power generator
The implementation of the project required a genset that could be used not only in emergency power operation, but also in parallel with the grid – a combination that was so difficult to find. “EPS was the only company that was able to offer us a grid-parallel solution in emergency power operation and also maintains it,” explains Ing. Roland Raab, environmental manager of Stadtbetriebe Steyr. The decision was made in favor of a J66C3 diesel emergency power generator with the APM403P control system. The emergency power generator switches on at about 20 to 30 percent of the storage capacity. If the PV system is too weak, the generator can be automatically switched on. A special feature is its HVO suitability. HVO, a synthetic diesel made from biological components, is known for its long shelf life and environmentally friendly properties.
EPS – a strong partner in Austria
The first contact was made in the summer of 2023, and the successful commissioning took place in spring 2024. “The process was very efficient and uncomplicated,” explains Verena Bröderbauer, project manager at EPS. “The project is a prime example of how well-thought-out planning, regional cooperation and technical innovation can contribute to greater safety and sustainability in public institutions.”
The technical details:
- Diesel Emergency Power Generator 60kVA / 48kW
- Control with synchronization
