Checklist for alternative energy sources

This checklist is based on one from the Australian Clean Energy Council.

• General
  
  • LV wiring has been installed by a qualified electrician.
  • Safe isolation is provided between ELV and LV circuits.
  • Emergency services sketch in main LV switchboard.
  • Protection has been provided for moving or high temperature parts.
  • Over-current protection and isolation are rated for a.c. or d.c. at appropriate voltage and current levels.
  • Multiple LV sources - shrouded plugs and extra signage.
  • SHUTDOWN Procedure is prominently displayed in equipment area.
  • All equipment is mounted close to, but outside battery enclosure.
  • Access to equipment is restricted to authorised persons.
  • Adequate ventilation is provided for all electrical equipment.
  • All cables satisfy both voltage drop and current carrying capacity.
  • All exposed cabling is provided with mechanical protection.
  • Lightning protection has been provided.
  • Any battery charger is permanently connected with over-current protection at the battery end of the charger cabling.
  • Equipment is labelled, convenient, accessible and visible.
  • There are no exposed live parts on any installed equipment.
• Solar panel (PV) arrays
  
  • Orientation
  • Blocking diodes are connected in series with each string.
  • Bypass diodes are connected in parallel with modules / sub-modules.
  • The PV mounting structure ( frame ) is wind rated for the site.
  • The PV array is securely mounted.
  • Roof penetrations are suitably sealed and waterproof.
  • Wiring is protected from UV and mechanical damage.
  • Modules have sufficient ventilation space to minimise temperature rise.
  • Any timber used is suitable for external use and is properly sealed.
  • No dissimilar metals are in contact with array frames or supports.
  • PV wiring losses are less than 5% at the max. array output current.
  • PV wiring is protected by appropriate circuit breakers or fuses.
  • Metering is installed to monitor the current supplied from the array.
  • Any freestanding PV structure is wind rated for the site.
• Wind generators
  
  • Tower or mast is wind rated for the site.
  • Mechanical protection is fitted to guy wires.
  • Installation and maintenance documentation has been supplied.
  • Footings have been installed by a ‘competent’ person.
  • Installation has been supervised by a licenced rigger.
  • Installation has been performed to the manufacturers instructions.
  • Metering is installed to monitor the current supplied from the wind turbine.
  • Wiring is protected from UV and mechanical damage.
  • A ‘securing device’ is available for maintenance operations.
  • The turbine is above any turbulence caused by nearby obstacles.
• Micro hydro generators
  
  • Installation and maintenance documentation has been supplied.
  • Installation has been performed to the manufacturers instructions.
  • Metering is installed to monitor the current supplied from micro-Hydo.
  • Wiring is protected from UV and mechanical damage.
  • The turbine is protected from flooding and flood-borne debris.
  • All piping is anchored at regular intervals and at elbows.
• Battery Bank - ELV nominal voltages not above 115V d.c.
  
  • Main Battery over-current protection is installed in all un-earthed conductors.
  • For multiple string battery banks - each string is separately protected.
  • A means to readily isolate the battery bank is installed.
  • The batteries are installed in a dedicated room, enclosure or restricted access area designed to prevent unauthorised entry.
  • Adequate structural support for the batteries is provided.
  • Any battery stands used are ‘fit for purpose.’
  • Battery enclosure is designed to prevent the formation of ‘gas pockets.’
  • Battery enclosure is vermin-proof.
  • “ Warning : Spark Hazard … ” sign is mounted above batteries or located on enclosure.
  • Battery voltage and short circuit fault current warning notice is fitted.
  • Battery warning signs " DANGER - Risk of Battery Explosion … " and " Electrolyte Burns … " are clearly visible & permanently fixed.
  • There are no arc producing devices in areas where hydrogen concentrations can become significant.
  • Appropriately sized ventilation inlets and outlets are provided.
  • An airflow alarm is provided where forced ventilation is used.
  • Electrolyte containment is provided.
  • Battery cells are NOT in contact with the floor of the enclosure / room.
  • Battery interconnects and terminals are protected from accidental shorts.
  • All crimp lugs have been fitted using an appropriate tool.
  • Stainless steel bolts have been used and tightened to specification.
  • Battery cables are protected from mechanical damage and effectively clamped and supported.
  • Battery cable minimum bending radius is not less than specification.
  • Personal protection equipment is available for safe battery handling.
  • A fresh water supply is available for eyewash and rinsing any acid spills.
  • Metering is installed to monitor the battery voltage.
• Gensets
  
  • Access is restricted to authorised persons.
  • Adequate access is provided for safe and effective operation.
  • Safe exit is provided from genset area.
  • Adequate ventilation, noise control, inlet and exhaust conditioning.
  • In damp or exposed situations, are suitably protected.
  • In hazardous areas, comply with additional regulatory requirements.
  • All components are protected from mechanical damage.
  • All moving parts are enclosed to prevent inadvertent contact.
  • All hot ( >120°C ) parts are protected to prevent inadvertent contact.
  • Over-speed shutdown is fitted - for output > 15kW.
  • All live parts are enclosed, inaccessible or protected from inadvertent contact.
  • Output isolation and over-current protection is fitted.
  • Supply Change-over facilities.
  • One source of supply is interrupted before connecting the other.
  • Operates in all active conductors.
  • Is rated at the max. out of phase voltage.
  • Manual change -over device has an intermediate OFF position.
  • Change-over device/s are accessible to Authorised persons only.
  • Change-over terminals are labelled to indicate supply source.
  • Earthing.
  • The following parts of the genset are electrically bonded.
  • The engine frame.
  • The generator frame.
  • All exposed metal enclosing electrical equipment or wiring.
  • The ‘earth’ terminal of all socket-outlets.
  • The main frame terminal - marked FRAME.
  • Where a genset supplies an earthed fixed installation, the connection to earth is not via a separate earth electrode.
  • Portable gensets are restrained from movement during operation.
  • Auto-start systems.
  • Warning notice is fitted and visible on approach.
  • Engine manual override and isolation devices.
  • Flexible cables or cords are protected from mechanical damage.
  • Metering is installed to monitor the runtime of the genset.
  • Genset is easily accessible for all maintenance operations.
  • Fuel storage complies with standards and local regulations.
  • All flammable fuels must not NOT be stored in the vicinity of high temperature surfaces, sparks or hot particles or where fuel leakage can come in contact with hot surfaces.
• Test and commissioning
  
  • All wiring has been tested for continuity and short circuits.
  • Polarity has been checked before connection of the battery bank.
  • PV Array operation has been checked.
  • Wind and micro-Hydro generator operation has been checked.
  • Genset operation has been checked.
  • Regulator and battery charger operation has been checked.
  • A functional test of the completed power system has been performed.
• System documentation
  A system manual has been provided that includes
  
  • List of equipment supplied - including model and serial numbers.
  • System performance estimate, including.
    
    • daily energy consumption estimate.
    • design d.c. and a.c. load energy.
    • load management strategies.
    • maximum and surge power demand.
    • estimated RE input showing expected seasonal variation.
    • estimated generator runtime.
    • RE resource data used with adjustments for site conditions.
    • System voltage and ratings of major components.
  • Operating instructions - system and component.
  • Shutdown Procedure for emergency and maintenance.
  • Maintenance Procedure and timetable.
  • Commissioning records and Inspection checklist.
  • Warranty information.
  • Original energy usage estimate which was used for system design.
  • System connection diagram.
  • Equipment manufacturers documentation and handbooks.
  • A Battery record logbook has been provided.
  • A Genset service logbook has been provided.
• Battery Banks - nominal battery voltage above 115V d.c.
  
  • Charging source over-current and over-voltage is prevented.
  • Over-voltage alarm is fitted.
  • Batteries are installed in either a battery room, lockable cubicle or restricted access area
  • Ventilation is provided to maintain hydrogen concentration below 2% - refer to AS 2676 ( or AS 4086 ) for ventilation guidelines.
  • Cells are readily accessible for maintenance or removal.
  • Unobstructed access to the battery is provided.
  • Electrical equipment inside battery room has no exposed live parts.
  • Minimum clearances are provided.
  • Mechanical protection, insulation and identification is provided.
  • Lighting, switches and GPO’s are correctly positioned.
  • Insulated flexible cables are used to connect to the battery terminals.
  • Main Battery over-current protection and isolation is installed in all un-earthed conductors.
  • Battery voltage and short circuit fault current warning notice is fitted.
  • For un-earthed batteries – earth-leakage alarm is provided.
  • Isolation is provided to sectionalise the battery to ELV levels.
  • Fire safety and warning signs.
• Battery Banks - guide for battery installation in buildings
  
  • Cells of unequal capacity are not connected in parallel.
  • Battery cabling can withstand prospective fault current for at least 1 sec.
  • Battery cables are effectively clamped and supported.
  • Battery cable minimum bending radius is not less than specification.
  • Busbars are insulated and do not restrict access to cells.
  • All switchgear is suitably rated.
  • Battery connections are resistant to corrosion.
  • The battery can be fully isolated.
  • The location is free from vibration.
  • The occurrence of extreme ambient temperatures is minimised.
  • Battery room
    
    • Notices prohibiting unauthorised access are posted.
    • Battery rooms or restricted areas provide access for installation, maintenance and emergency services.
    • Floor loadings are appropriate for the installed equipment.
    • Floors are non-slip and acid-resistant.
    • Containment is provided for electrolyte spillage.
  • Battery enclosure
    
    • Constructed of acid-resistant materials with adequate structural strength.
    • Clearance of 25mm is provided between the battery and the enclosure.
  • Battery stands
    
    • Load-bearing members support at least 33% of the cell base area.
    • Stand sections are rigidly joined.
    • Deflection of load-bearing members is no more than 3mm.
    • Base area of cells does not project outside the stand.
    • The battery installation height does not exceed 2 metres.
    • For tall cells - horizontal restraining bars are installed.
    • The stand is manufactured from, or is coated with, acid-resistant material.
  • Lighting is not installed directly over cells or exposed live parts.
  • Inter-cell connector shrouds are in place.
  • Suitable Personal Protection Equipment, such as eye protection, appropriate lifting devices and insulated hand tools has been used during installation.
  • Safety signage
    
    • Restricted Access signs are mounted at all entry points - open flame / no smoking / authorised personnel only / LV equipment.
    • Caution signs are mounted in prominent positions - battery warning with voltage and short circuit current.
    • Emergency Information are mounted prominently in a room or on an enclosure.
  • Fire extinguishers suitable for use on acid or alkaline solutions and electrical fires have been provided adjacent to the room / enclosure.