Industrial Diesel Generator Applications & Uses

Since its discovery, the diesel engine has been re-invented and developed vastly to improve on its performance and efficiency, while simultaneously increasing its range of applications. One of its most common uses today is in diesel generators used to provide backup or standby power to facilities and systems in case of power failure. Modern diesel generators are designed to monitor electric current continuously, and they automatically start when there is a power interruption and switch off when utility service comes back online.

The diesel generator market has been growing and, according to a study by the consulting firm Grand View Research, the market is expected to continue growing in the immediate future.

The following industries rely heavily on the power of diesel powered generators and have contributed to the growing demand.

 

Mining

Diesel generators are widely used in mining operations all over the world. They provide over 70% of all the power needed in mining operations by heavy duty equipment such as excavating machinery, drillers, conveyor belts and cranes. Whether its gas, coal, iron, or precious metals being mined, diesel generators are always the number one option because they are portable and can be easily used in far-fetched mining zones with extreme conditions.

Diesel’s low volatility rate also makes it a safer option than gasoline in mining fields. Diesel generators are known to provide the ultimate muscle, durability, and capacity in mining operations, making them the perfect power source and backup/standby option for all the heavy duty activities in mining fields.

 

Healthcare

This is one of the most sensitive industries in many ways. Without diesel generators to provide power backup in case of power failure or interruption, many patients in medical facilities would lose their lives. Seriously ill and injured patients such as those in the intensive care unit (ICU) would be at risk because life support machines like oxygen pumps would fail to function with the slightest power outage.

Diesel generators are the most reliable backup power source for hospitals because they are easier to maintain than natural gas generators, and they provide uninterrupted power supply when the utility grid fails (until the amount of fuel available is depleted). A full tank of diesel can last an entire hospital more than 8 hours depending on its size. With adequate fuel stored on site, diesel generators can provide backup power for more than 48 hours.

 

Commercial

No one in the commercial industry is in the business to lose money, but power failure without a backup plan can make this a thorn in the flesh. Blackouts in commercial premises mean huge revenue losses at the cash register, safety challenges for both people and finances, trouble for IT and any other automated equipment, and complete operations shutdown. All these inconveniences and losses cannot be compared to the cost of investing in a standby diesel generator.

A diesel generator allows you to protect your business interests, revenues, keep operations running smoothly, avoid losing business to competitors, maintain security, and protect your bottom line.

 

Oil & Gas

In the oil and gas industry, time is money. Every minute spent on downtime, be it because of machine failure or power outage, costs money. Diesel powered generators are an integral part of this industry as they are used to provide power for all activities in the oil and gas fields including drilling, pumping and loading.

In most cases oil and gas exploration takes place in remote locations with tough conditions. Without on-site diesel generators, working in these areas would be quite impossible because they are mostly far away from power grids. Modern drilling machines also require powerful, efficient, and reliable generators on site whenever they are operating; and only diesel generators fit this bill.

 

Construction

Diesel generators are imperative in the construction industry. Construction projects often stall because of interrupted power supply or lack of power supply in some construction sites. Constant power interruptions can result in delayed project completion time, as well as costly expenses because of being behind schedule.

Generators give the much needed power to provide lighting for construction to take place 24/7, power air conditioning machines, power communication systems, and run construction equipment such as cranes. They also provide backup power to the main grid if there is power interruption both by external forces or accidents/interference emanating from the construction site. Plus, portable generators can be moved from one site to the other in a matter of minutes or hours.

 

Manufacturing

A slight disruption in the manufacturing industry can not only mean low volume production, but also poor quality production. For optimal revenues, any production line in a manufacturing line must be operating as required at all times. When blackouts occur in manufacturing plants, they affect all processes – all the way from raw material sourcing to product sale. Normal schedules are interrupted, targets are not met, raw materials go bad, safety is compromised, and in some cases a product’s quality is affected and this can lead to customer loss.

Standby diesel generators provide emergency power supply in case of such blackouts and hence protect manufacturing industries from huge product, financial and reputation losses.

 

Telecommunications and Data Centers

Computers and data centers are the heart of every industry today. Many industries now have their data stored in servers, both manual and cloud servers, and they need to access this data at all times for their businesses to operate without a hitch. With power interruptions, these servers become inaccessible and businesses have to halt their operations; losing business and money in the process. Power outages also make the servers susceptible to attacks by hackers with the aim of stealing and manipulating this data for their personal gain.

Diesel generators have proven very reliable to this industry in providing consistent and immediate power backup whenever there is a power grid failure. They make sure that data centers are always online even in times of natural disasters.

 

Utilities

Utilities may be the power suppliers that we all depend on to supply our grids, but they also face emergencies in their power generation plants and turn to diesel generators. The companies have huge diesel generators standing by in case their main supply line experiences an emergency. They use the generators to produce enough electricity to power thousands of homes until they can have their main supply back online.

Diesel generators in this industry allow the power plant crew to have adequate time to work on the main supply. They also help prevent the utility company from being sued by angry customers, or losing them to competitors with a steady backup plan.

 

Education

Schools, colleges and other institutions of higher learning won’t be topping any list of industries that require backup generator, but there are actually several systems in education settings that rely on electricity. Power outages mean a lot more than students getting the rest of the day off. There are, of course, class disruptions that need rescheduling which can be a serious challenge, especially in universities. Loss of power can compromise a school’s data centers which house sensitive data, and if IT security systems go down they are further under threat. Smoke detectors, water sprinklers, emergency lighting, alarms and bells and electronic door systems are all threatened when the power goes out. In all, loss of power leaves schools, students and staff vulnerable to several dangers. A school without power cannot provide the kind of safety they need to ensure.

 

Military

This is another industry that is heavily-dependent on diesel generators. Soldiers in combat need a good and stable power source that can be carried even to the toughest of environments and still function efficiently. They use diesel generators for a wide range of applications including powering their gear, hospitals, lighting their camps, and operating their IT equipment among more.