Additional Resources Save and Share Download Additional Resources Clean Diesel Generators - The Future is Here Meeting Current and Future Emissions Standards in the Electric Power Industry The Costs, Air Quality, and Human Health Effects of Meeting Peak Electricity Demand with Installed Backup Generators     Recent News Snow Hits Arkansas, But Generators Save The Day March 8, 2008 KSPR News (MO) Those of us around Springfield enjoyed dry roads and near snow-less yards Friday. But northern Arkansas was dealing with another disaster. Just one month ago tornadoes devastated the area. Thursday night a different kind of storm... [more] Diesel Back-up Generators Kick in During Florida Black Out February 26, 2008 Within seconds of this afternoon’s blackout across southern Florida, diesel generators kicked in to provide a reliable, safe source of back-up power, being instrumental in providing emergency power to a full range of public... [more] A ‘Circuit of the Future’ That Keeps Blackouts Brief and Local Is Tried in California October 16, 2007 The New York Times By Matthew WaldIn case of a short circuit, a device called a fault current limiter will stop a surge to prevent damage to the equipment, much the way a surge protector works on a personal computer. If the short circuit is brief —... [more] Internet's Unsung Guardians Labor In Obscurity To Keep Web Moving October 7, 2007 San Francisco Chronicle By Sam ZuckermanData centers like SV3 are simple in concept - essentially they're protected places where computer networks can plug into each other. But the execution is not simple. To keep everything running right, the center... [more] Power Loss Cancels Classes, Job Fair at Shasta College September 26, 2007 Redding.com By Dylan DarlingAn 18-year-old Shasta College student was arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of drunken driving and leaving the scene of a wreck that toppled a power pole on Old Oregon Trail, cutting off electricity to the... [more] Displaying results 1 to 5 out of 8 1 2 Next >

 

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Within 10 seconds of a blackout, stationary diesel engines go to work. Diesel generators serve as emergency backup power for hospitals, businesses and individuals nationwide and provide the electric utility industry crucial services during power failures.  

Portable rental power units have been used in disaster situations as a temporary source of power. During preparations for the “Y2K” computer crisis, diesel generators served as a critical backup strategy for individuals and businesses.

In addition, diesel generators provide backup power to nuclear power plants due in large part to their reliability and ability to maintain plant safety in emergencies. Coal-fired power plants also rely on diesels for materials handling.

Regulations and Standards

Starting January 1, 2007, all diesel generators (stationary engines) began meeting new, more stringent, lower emissions levels, and later in the year begin using cleaner fuel.

Emissions regulations are governed by EPA New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), which establish for the first time uniform federal standards for emissions from stationary generator sets. Effective January 1, 2007, requirements for stationary applications (which include standby generators) are harmonized with prevailing non-road engine emissions standards.

These emissions levels – so called Tier levels - apply based on the horsepower rating of the engine. Beginning with engines built on January 1, 2007, all generators with engine ratings of 10-99 hp must comply with Tier 2 regulations; generators with engines in the range of 100-751 hp must comply with Tier 3 regulations; and generators with engines in the range of 752-3000 hp will require Tier 2 certification.

Stationary engines over 3000 hp will remain at Tier 1 until 2011. Beginning in 2011 at Tier 4, emergency stationary diesel generators will not have to advance to standards that require aftertreatment. In addition to these requirements, beginning October 1, 2007, owners and operators of these generators must use low-sulfur diesel fuel (no more than 500 ppm sulfur).

The combination of the cleaner fuel and the lower-emissions engines means that generators sold in 2007 will be 80 percent lower in emissions of nitrogen oxides from 1995 levels.

Alternatives

Diesel generators are one means to produce electricity. Hydro-electric, nuclear, wind and solar power are also used to provide backup power generation. Still, most of these alternatives rely on diesel engines at some point in the power production process. As such, diesel engines will continue to be an integral part of power generation for the foreseeable future.

Tips and Advice

To help businesses and cities protect critical facilities during a power outage, the Diesel Technology Forum has outlined several ways to ensure backup power in a crisis:  

• Assess the risk. Identifying your facility's critical loads is an important first step. Assign a cost to the risks associated with utility power interruptions, production losses and downtime.
• Install a standby generator. Frequent outages of a few seconds, a few minutes or more can often disrupt production lines and have significant cost implications to businesses. While other fuel sources take up to two minutes to engage, diesel-powered standby generators are uniquely qualified to provide power quickly during a power outage and offers the most cost-effective source of reliable backup power available.
• Have sufficient fuel storage. The chemical structure of diesel fuel allows more energy to be released per unit than any other source of commonly used power. This greater power density means less fuel consumption than other sources. Still, it is important to make sure that you have sufficient fuel storage capacity on-site for an extended outage of several days.
• Maintain your equipment. As required by electrical codes, standby generators should be “exercised” monthly to insure they will operate as designed in the event of an emergency.
• Contract rental power. If installing your own standby generation is not feasible for your business, you might consider contracting with a firm to reserve rental generator power for use in the event of an extended outage.