Notified Maximum Demand

[ProfT]

I'm a graduate Electrical engineer and I just started working for a mining company. My boss told me about the plans he has of increasing the mine's Notified Maximum Demand. However he does not really have any idea as to how to calculate the NMD. In the past, he relied on his gut feeling.

I was wondering, how can I calculate or predict NMD?

I must add, i'm new to this and any assistant will be highly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[davidbeach]

It depends. (Gads, I love that answer.)

Perhaps if you start out defining "Notified Maximum Demand" somebody might be able to help. Never heard the term before myself, so I haven't a clue. Might know it under some other definition, might not.

If it is the requirement of a particular utility, probably best just to ask them.

 

[ProfT]

Notified Maximum Demand is the electricity demand that a customer requests from a utility and which is the maximum demand that the customer requires.

I hope the derived definition suffices.

 

[PHovnanian]

To calculate the NMD, you'll have to do an analysis of your plant's processes, which machines are running at various times and their actual loading (rather than rated full load) under operating conditions.

Then, if your operations people should decide to make changes (start running a second conveyor, for example) you can add its load profile to the plant total and revise the max demand figure. If you have demand data for individual load equipment (a good idea to collect for predicting maintenance requirements) you'll have something to start with.

 

[waross]

Look at your actual demand on the power bills. You will see how much unused demand you have before you get into punitive penalties or forced curtailment.
Part of the planning should be a consideration of the financial consequence of exceeding your NMD.

Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter