To power the 4 SiteSens - DM30N Noise and Dust Monitors on-site, we evaluated three power supply options: mains electricity, a diesel generator, and a solar power system with battery backup. Below is a comparison based on cost, noise emissions, and environmental impact.
Power Source | Consumed Power (kWh/year) | Running Cost (£/year) | Noise Emissions at 7m (dB) | CO2 Emissions (kg/year) |
Mains Supply | 877 | £219.15 | 0 | 15 |
Diesel Generator (2.5kVA) | 877 | £2,350.36 | 72 | 4,291 |
Solar PowerHub | 877 | £0 | 0 | 0 |
1. Power Usage and Costs:
Mains Supply:
Annual consumption: 877 kWh.
Cost: £219.15/year at £0.25 per kWh.
Diesel Generator (2.5kVA):
Annual consumption: 877 kWh.
Cost: £2,350.36/year at £2.68 per kWh.
Solar PowerHub (240W Solar Panel, 460Ah Battery):
Annual consumption: 877 kWh.
Cost: £0/year.
2. Noise Emissions:
Mains Supply: No noise emissions at 7 metres.
Diesel Generator: 72 dB(A) noise level at 7 metres, potentially disruptive to site operations and nearby communities.
Solar PowerHub: No noise emissions, providing a silent energy solution.
3. Environmental Impact (CO2 Emissions):
Mains Supply:
Carbon emissions: 15 kg CO2/year from the national grid.
No site emissions.
Diesel Generator:
Carbon emissions: 4,291 kg CO2/year.
Significant on-site emissions contribute to the carbon footprint.
Solar PowerHub:
Carbon emissions: 0 kg CO2/year.
No site emissions, offering a fully renewable solution.
Conclusion:
Cost: Solar power is the most cost-effective solution with no ongoing energy costs, while diesel is by far the most expensive.
Noise: Both solar and mains supply provide silent operations, but diesel generators create significant noise pollution.
Environmental Impact: Solar power and battery systems offer a zero-emission solution, making them the best choice for sustainability. Mains supply has minimal emissions, whereas diesel generators produce high CO2 emissions.
Based on the analysis, the solar power and battery system emerges as the most cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and quiet solution for powering the DM30N monitors on-site.
However, opting for a mains power supply could also offer advantages, as it would eliminate the need for hiring and maintaining a power generator on-site.