A backup power source for the office is an important component of any business operating in today's Ukrainian realities. Despite the stability of the Ukrainian energy system, the continuous work of electrical specialists, the risks of shelling and blackouts remain very high.
Due to last year's attacks on the energy infrastructure, power outages became one of the biggest obstacles to the activities of national enterprises.
After several massive attacks, even giant companies with a continuous cycle of production processes were forced to stop, metallurgical companies were also forced to stop work for several days, which in some cases led to shutdowns of blast furnaces, which are extremely difficult to restart. Other industrial sectors were also affected.
The hardest hit were the restaurant business, retail companies, and various small businesses that did not have their own generators and power priority.
Nevertheless, the information technology sector and other technology sub-sectors have shown resilience and have been able to deliver projects on time. Some companies started production at night to avoid the restrictions.
Ensuring the stability of work processes and the ability to continuously serve customers. In addition, energy supply is directly related to the uninterrupted operation of various systems, the security of corporate data storage. That is why ensuring the operation of the office during blackouts is an important and urgent issue. Let's consider it in more detail.
Office with a generator: how to prepare the premises for possible blackouts
The question of the work of Ukrainian companies in extreme conditions arose at the beginning of the war.
First of all, the heating of the room remains an important factor. Therefore, you need to choose buildings with autonomous heating systems that can work during power outages.
It is necessary to prepare for shutdowns in advance. Therefore, modern companies conduct appropriate stress tests to prepare the team and work space for activities, creating artificial blackout conditions, and outlining the problems to be solved.
After conducting the appropriate tests, a review of previous measures is carried out, and appropriate protocols are created for activities in the event of a lack of power supply from the central system.
Today, landlords also take into account the possibility of blackouts in Ukraine, and offer tenants office premises with a backup power supply. In most cases, we are talking about powerful generators capable of providing supply during long shutdowns.
At the same time, large companies and shopping centers that have the opportunity to purchase their own sources of energy supply create "unbreakable points" and specialized co-working spaces that can be used by all citizens of Ukraine during a blackout.
It is worth considering that during power outages, important issues for the work of any company remain:
- maintaining communication and the Internet;
- creation of reserve jobs;
- general energy savings;
- creating a flexible work schedule.
Office with a generator: how to maintain communication and the Internet
In cases where there is no wired Internet, several actions must be taken to stay connected. It is necessary to check the mobile Internet settings in advance, install a package without traffic restrictions, and ensure the presence of an LTE signal. In addition, it is advisable to check the possibility of distributing the Internet to working devices.
A good solution would be a Wi-Fi router with a built-in battery and SIM card support, or an additional router that supports LTE networks.
Today, there are also operators working on the service market that provide uninterrupted Internet supplies during blackouts. It is necessary to find out about the possibility of connecting the office to such networks.
Another solution for staying in touch where there is no fixed and mobile internet due to various damages can be the use of modern Starlink systems. Today, such services are available to all users in Ukraine. The use of modern laptops, capable of holding a charge for a considerable period of time, allows maintaining the efficiency of offices and teams during shutdowns.
Rent of premises: connection of generators
Generators can provide electricity during shutdowns in the central network. Nevertheless, the connection of such systems and their use must be carried out in accordance with the rules and in a safe mode.
To ensure smooth operation, it is necessary to have fuel reserves. At the same time, only employees who have received the appropriate training and have the appropriate instructions should use the generator, turn it on and off. It is necessary to agree on cooperation with such specialists in advance.
The power of the generators is selected according to the needs of the office and the company. At the same time, the best solution will be the help of specialized specialists who will be able to correctly calculate the power needs. The presence of generators also provides an opportunity to work for remote employees who do not have electricity at home and can reach the office.
Office with a generator: creating backup jobs and supporting the team
Earlier, remote work gained popularity, while many offices were closed to reduce costs for companies. However, in today's environment, offices with backup power become backup workplaces for remote employees.
When creating such workplaces, it is also possible to agree with existing co-working spaces, or to create so-called "energy collaborations" when you share an office with partners. That is why, in case of blackouts, it is necessary to create suitable workplaces for remote employees in advance.
In addition, during difficult times, more communication and team support is needed. Among the important issues, it is also worth considering the everyday problems of employees. For example, if kindergartens are closed, will they be able to leave their children with someone? In some cases, it is appropriate to create an opportunity to take children with you by adding a playroom to the office and hiring a teacher or animator.
Household issues also concern common amenities, such as water and heat. If the company has enough funds, it is worth creating a small hostel, where each employee can spend the night in warmth, take a shower, wash clothes, and cook food. The availability of such solutions will improve the mental state of the team and significantly increase their ability to work.
In some situations, it will also be appropriate to introduce a flexible schedule for employees. Changing the activity model and focusing on the number of hours worked or completed tasks will help optimize business processes and close current projects on time.
Backup power supply for the office: saving energy
The use of electrical equipment, when there is no central power supply and the work is done using a generator, should be carried out only when there is a need. Optimizing electricity consumption from the generator is an important task for every company. It is necessary to set priorities, and at the moment of turning off the lights, perform only urgent current tasks. The procedure for performing certain tasks during a blackout must be clearly prescribed in the regulations and controlled by the relevant department of the organization.
In addition, it is worth following simple recommendations that can continue the operation of devices without electricity supply. It is worth charging phones and laptops or other gadgets to 100% during the availability of electricity, and recharging them at those moments when the central power supply is restored. It is also recommended to purchase power banks, EcoFlow or Bluetti charging stations and keep them charged.
It is equally important to save the device's charge by reducing the brightness of the displays, minimizing the volume, and limiting downloads from the Internet.
Of course, the full adaptation of the office and the team to blackouts depends on the characteristics of the company, its types of activities, the characteristics of the premises, its technical parameters and other factors that affect the use of electricity. Therefore, it is recommended to create an action plan in advance, taking into account all the above nuances.