Reciprocating Engine Generators Gain Popularity Among North American Power Utilities

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Reciprocating engine generators are becoming increasingly popular power projects in North America. The generators are able to start quickly and avoid the power gaps that come with intermittent renewable sources, such as solar and wind.

Currently, Industrial Info is tracking 30 reciprocating engine projects in North America that are scheduled to begin construction before 2016, with an investment value of more than $1.6 billion.

Reciprocating engine generators can run on many liquid and gaseous fuels, such as natural gas, fuel oil, methane, biodiesel or conventional diesel, which is one reason they are a popular choice for utilities. The generators have efficiencies of 46% to 49%, which surpass steam and simple-cycle combustion turbines. Ease of maintenance and reliability, as well as lower life-cycle costs and low emissions, are additional reasons that these plants are becoming more popular.

Because these generators have quick-start capability, they are dispatched more often to support local electrical loads. Utilities and independent energy producers (IEPs) often have an economic incentive to use reciprocating engine generators.

Technological advances to reciprocating engine generators include improved fuel and emissions efficiencies; electrically controlled pumps and injectors; variable injection timings; sequential and variable turbocharging; and improvements in engine controls, electronic management and diagnostic systems.

Advanced research of reciprocating engines by a multinational team of more than 40 European countries and research institutions led by Wartsila (Helsinki, Finland) and MAN Diesel (Augsburg, Germany) concluded work to improve the fuel efficiencies and advance ultra-low emissions on this type of engine. Researchers studied extreme design parameters and pressure conditions; advanced combustion concepts; advanced turbocharging systems; turbo-compounding (the benefits of combined-cycle configurations to improve efficiency); internal and external emission reduction improvements; emissions after treatments; reducing engine component friction; and adaptive and intelligent engine concepts.

Combined heat and power (CHP), or cogeneration, has made reciprocating engines more competitive and efficient to supply power and process steam to adjacent manufacturing plants. General Electric's (NYSE:GE) (Fairfield, Connecticut) Jenbacher GmbH & Company reciprocating engines are the workhorses in the cogeneration area, and the company continues to improve the technology.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.