Diesel & gas engines |
Compared to traditional first-generation biofuels, HVO is also a superior, cleaner- burning fuel, which helps reduce emissions across its lifecycle. The generator transient response time when using HVO is also similar to the performance achieved with conventional diesel, meaning the genset can respond quickly enough when called upon. HVO is more costly than traditional diesel, but prices are expected to drop.
So, by how much can HVO reduce CO2 emissions? Fossil diesel produces about 0.75 kg
of carbon dioxide per kWh produced by a genset. The corresponding figure for an HVO fuelled genset is about 0.08 kg/kWh.
Other technologies
In the development phases of genset projects, there are naturally trade-offs involving emissions reductions, to ensure everything is being done to optimise emissions specifically for each application.
This typically starts with in-cylinder technologies such as EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and combustion optimisation to ensure that the most efficient use of the engine is being achieved.
When addressing more stringent emissions requirements, options involving additional equipment may need to be considered, such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel
exhaust fluid (DEF), which can reduce NOx emissions to negligible levels.
Adding these extra technologies typically does involve additional cost, and also comes with regulations to be complied with and specific protections that the engine must have to ensure
that the emissions equipment is properly functioning.
Optimising maintenance schedules
Gensets for emergency standby power spend most of their life sitting idle waiting for there to be an outage. To ensure that they’re constantly ready, they need maintenance, which includes being run regularly to check everything is working. Traditionally, this check is run with load to reduce ‘wet stacking’ – which is when unburned fuel builds up in the engine’s exhaust system, leading to excessive wear and damage. To continue to reduce the cost of ownership and lower emissions, genset manufacturers are
working to reduce the number of hours running needed each year for maintenance, as well as reducing the loads needed. The latest sustainable maintenance programmes allow certain gensets to do the monthly maintenance run with no load present and with an extended exercise interval, reducing annual genset emissions by up to 69% (compared with the emissions when running maintenance exercises at 30% load).
Maintaining performance and economics
By taking a pragmatic approach, as outlined above, users of diesel gensets can minimise their emissions, but without noticeable cost increases and performance impairments.
Independence for Kohler Energy
In November 2023 Kohler Co announced it had taken the strategic decision to set Kohler Energy up as a separate, independent business, with Platinum Equity engaged as the majority investment partner and Kohler continuing to stay invested in the Energy business following the closing. The Kohler energy resilience business
portfolio included in the transaction consists of Power Systems, Engines, Home Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Heila Technologies. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024. Until then, Kohler Co will continue to operate as one company. David Kohler, Chair and CEO of
Kohler, who will also be on the board of Kohler Energy, said the move signified a “commitment to deepening the focus and investment in Kohler’s Kitchen & Bath and Hospitality businesses”, noting that “the timing is right due to the strength of the Energy business.” Brian Melka will serve as CEO of the Energy business. Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $47 billion of assets under management, a successful track record in carve-out transactions and “28 years of experience acquiring and operating global businesses that have been part of large corporate entities.” A few days after the announcement from
Kohler Co establishing Kohler Energy as an independent company, Kohler Energy launched a new hydrogen fuelled engine and its first-ever hydrogen fuel cell power system (pictured right). Alongside its activities in the HVO and e-fuels area, this reflects Kohler Energy’s strategy of providing a broad range of clean energy and hydrogen-ready technologies for off-highway equipment and standby and prime power applications for residential and industrial applications, in the power range from 20 kW to 5 MW+. “We believe we can provide the broadest
array of solutions, especially in hydrogen, given our unique footprint across diverse end markets,” said Brian Melka. Kohler Energy’s first fuel cell based power generating unit is a 100 kW solid polymer electrolyte membrane system using green hydrogen, designed for emergency backup, peak shaving and demand response. The system is considered suitable for a
broad range of mission-critical applications, eg in hospitals, data centres, ports and water treatment plants.
40 | November/December 2023|
www.modernpowersystems.com
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