HYBRID GENERATORS
Power You Can Trust
HYBRID GENERATORS
INTRODUCTION
Hybrid generators are the next wave of electrical power generation technology and point the way to a future that’s more environmentally friendly and less reliant on fossil fuels. Read on to find out more about what hybrid generators are and how they can be used.
WHAT IS A HYBRID GENERATOR?
Generators are machines which convert fuel (for example petrol or diesel fuel) into electricity. They do this by using the fuel to power an engine which turns an alternator, converting the motion of the engine into electricity. The principles have not changed much for over 100 years, although the efficiency has greatly improved.
However, over the last few decades it’s become obvious that diesel fuel that is problematic in terms of environmental impact and sustainability.
That’s not to say that diesel is the worst offender – in cars, for example, diesel tends to emit less CO2 than petrol engines, because they use the fuel more efficiently.
But diesel is a fossil fuel, and is therefore a power source to which we have a responsibility to try to find an alternative.
Technologists in the generator industry are now turning their attention to hybrid generators. These use less diesel overall and have a reduced environmental impact.
In a hybrid generator, a traditional diesel engine is supplemented by a battery pack – either can supply electrical power.
You’ve heard of hybrid cars, which run using a combination of a fossil fuel-powered internal combustion engine and a battery. The battery is charged when the vehicle is moving and braking. This dual power source is more energy efficient than fuel alone.
Hybrid generators are equivalent, using both a battery and a diesel fuel powered internal combustion engine.
When the battery charge runs low, the diesel energy source kicks in. This makes sure that power from the generator is continual and uninterrupted. This factor means hybrid generators are good solutions for situations where continual, uninterrupted power is required, such as hospitals, healthcare and data centres.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HYBRID GENERATORS?
REDUCED DIESEL EMISSIONS
A key benefit is environmental. The hybrid generator will typically consume far less fuel than a single-fuel generator, because the fuel is not being burned all the time. The reduced running time of the diesel generator means that diesel emissions are greatly reduced.
REDUCED COST OF OWNERSHIP
All the time a generator is using diesel fuel, it’s costing money which cannot be reclaimed.
But using the power to charge a battery means that the diesel generator can provide power via the battery for some of the time that a traditional generator would be using fuel. Less fuel consumption means less money spent on unrenewable fuel.
Because hybrid generators use the diesel engine for less of the time, there’s less wear and tear. Therefore, the working lifetime of the generator is usually longer than a traditional generator, and maintenance costs are also reduced. In general, it’s the moving parts of a generator which require the most maintenance. Parts such as air and fuel filters and alternator belts also wear out and must be replaced regularly. But a battery has no moving parts to maintain. A generator providing power via the battery for 50% of the time can in theory require almost 50% less maintenance.
IMPROVED FUEL EFFICIENCY
The efficiency of fuel use can depend on the load the generator is being used to supply. When the load is low fuel efficiency tends to be lower. Higher fuel efficiencies can only be achieved when loads are higher.
REDUCED NOISE AND VIBRATION
Diesel generators create environmental noise and vibration when running. Noise can be reduced very effectively using acoustic enclosures and other techniques. However, it’s difficult to eliminate noise altogether. But again, when power is supplied via the battery instead of running the generator, noise is eliminated. Sometimes it’s possible to run the generator only at times of day when noise is least problematic, such as during the night (if situated away from people).
REDUCED POWER SUPPLY DELAY
In situations where continual power is essential, hybrid generators could win out over traditional generators. In the moment of power failure, there may be a delay before the traditional generators starts to deliver electricity. This delay is greatly reduced when using a battery power source, because it can switch on almost instantaneously without needing to fire up.
SIZE
Lastly, hybrid generators can end up being smaller than traditional diesel generators. If space is an important consideration in a project, then hybrid generators could be the better solution.
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