POWER GENERATION
environment, with a design life one third of that of a diesel generator. There are also the financial implications associated with new technology that will take some considerable time to become more reasonable and commercially acceptable to justify the budgets available to the end- clients.
Wind and solar will never be a suitable fit for emergency standby generation; their outputs fluctuate with the climate, and hence must be accompanied by some form of energy storage. This is the UK, after all. Utilisation of this energy source via onshore and offshore wind farms supplements the energy demand market and grid requirements, but for emergency back-up on hospital sites, and similar, key mission-critical applications, a fast response and resilience needs to be based on site requirements.
Fuel cells
Finally, we come to fuel cells. Such equipment has been experimented with in other markets, most notably in the data centre sector. It has not proved too successful, but giants like Microsoft are investing a great deal in research and development, and those of us in less exciting markets watch through the window to see how their projects progress.
One of the key aspects with all of these critical power applications is to ensure correct sizing and application to ensure that the generator is working within its optimum performance envelope when called upon. The generator specialist has a large part to play in this at the design stage, but Estates teams also need to ensure that the generators remain in good health. Load bank testing goes some way
to ensuring that the engine is kept in optimum condition. The problem faced with generator set applications is the susceptibility to only run on part loads. Over time, this is detrimental to the engine’s longevity, encouraging a condition affectionately referred to as ‘slobbering’ – a term used to describe the degradation of the cylinder bores. The bores become glazed, and lubricating oil has the propensity to ease past the piston rings joining the diesel above the piston. The oil is then burned with the diesel, manifesting itself as a blue haze in the exhaust gases. HTM 06 suggests that an annual load bank test should take place to reduce this.
By now you are probably coming to the conclusion that a single source of standby power may no longer be suitable in the years ahead, and that we need to consider combinations of technologies in a hybrid solution, e.g. diesel and gas-fuelled generators operating in an N+1 solution, with fuel cells entering the mix as the technology advances. Let’s face facts that the standby power systems that are being specified and installed now will have a minimum design life of at least 25 years, so anything that we can do now will assist the Estates managers of the future, who will be well on the carbon neutral journey. This is why the development and acceptance of these alternative solutions cannot be driven by a single group. This needs to be a combined effort between the Trusts, engineers, and equipment manufacturers, for it to succeed.
If you would like more information about what HTM 06 has to say about generators, then request a copy of our technical sheet on the subject, or contact our team to schedule a CPD session.
Chris Connors
Chris Connors, head of Sales (South) at DTGen, has worked in the power generation sector for more than 25 years, in both national and international senior technical sales roles. His project experience includes multi-megawatt, high voltage, generator installations for the NHS, dynamic UPS systems, and numerous generator projects across the finance and data centre markets. Based in the Midlands, his current focus is on both diesel standby equipment and the new portfolio of natural gas generators, as well as transitioning customers through the initial consultation and system design process and on to project delivery, installation, and commissioning. He is also responsible for delivering HTM 06 CPD sessions to NHS and other health sector mechanical and electrical engineers.
hej
September 2021 Health Estate Journal 75
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