Designing industrial systems with a weak utility supply

A number of issues related to successful power system design practices for maximum harmony between industrial energy users, their utility suppliers and the local community are discussed in this article. In many cases, industrial power system engineers concentrate on "the plant side of the meter" and utility engineers concentrate on "the utility side of the meter". The authors show, however, that it is important for the industrial power engineer to be aware of the utility perspective and vice verse. If not, design flaws may not appear until production begins. Problems occurring at startup that were not anticipated will require significant investments, not necessarily monetary, by all parties involved.