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    Understanding Generator Set Ratings: Chad Dozier Market Development Manager Electric Power Division

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    Understanding Generator Set Ratings: Chad Dozier Market Development Manager Electric Power Division

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    Sakthivel Murthy
    118 views7 pages
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    118 views7 pages

    Understanding Generator Set Ratings: Chad Dozier Market Development Manager Electric Power Division

    Uploaded by

    Sakthivel Murthy
    Generator

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    The document discusses different ratings for generator sets defined by Caterpillar to properly match equipment to specific applications for optimal performance and reliability. The key is to understand the application details such as load factor, maximum load, annual run hours, and whether the generator will operate isolated or in parallel with utility power.

    Caterpillar defines five basic generator set ratings: standby, emergency standby power (ESP), mission critical standby, prime, and continuous. Each rating specifies allowable average load factor, maximum load, annual run hours and ability to operate in parallel with utility power.

    The standby and ESP ratings both allow the generator set to provide emergency backup power for the duration of an outage. The difference is that standby allows up to 500 hours of run time per year at 70% average load, while ESP only allows 200 hours at the same load factor.

    Understanding Generator Set Ratings

    Smart rating choices combined with the latest in onsite power


    generation systems can help match equipment to a specific
    application for optimal long-term performance and reliability

    Chad Dozier
    Market Development Manager
    Electric Power Division
    August 2013

    UNDERSTANDING GENERATOR SET RATINGS

    INTRODUCTION
    Generator set ratings may seem complex, but their basic purpose is simple: fit the application
    needs at the optimum reliability, performance, and cost. An improper rating means either buying
    more capacity than needed or risking shorter life to overhaul, more repairs, and more downtime.
    Ratings have changed in recent years, and more sophisticated switchgear can be integrated with
    generator sets. That means more flexibility to specify generating systems that closely match a
    specific installation requirement.
    The key to choosing the right rating is to understand the application in detail. That means not only
    knowing the type of duty but also answering:
    What is the average load factor?
    What is the maximum required load?
    How many hours per year will the generator sets run?
    Will the generator sets be run isolated from or in parallel with the utility?

    RATINGS DEFINED
    Caterpillar defines five basic generator set ratings: Emergency Standby Power (ESP), Standby,
    Mission Critical Standby, Prime, and Continuous. Cat generator set ratings differ in certain
    respects from those defined by the industry standard ISO8528-1 (Table 1).

    Caterpillar

    UNDERSTANDING GENERATOR SET RATINGS

    Table 1
    Here are basic descriptions of the Cat genset ratings:
    Standby
    In this application, the generator set is capable of providing emergency backup power at the
    nameplate rating for the duration of an outage. The average load factor of a Standby rated
    generator set should be no more than 70% of the nameplate rating and applied to varying loads.
    A Standby generator set can run for a maximum of 500 hours per year. The normal standby
    rating is not for use in utility paralleling applications. For example, a 3 MW standby rated
    generator set will provide power for the duration of an outage. It should be run for up to 500 hours
    per year and have an average load factor of 2.1 MW.

    Caterpillar

    UNDERSTANDING GENERATOR SET RATINGS

    Emergency Standby Power (ESP)


    The ESP rating differs from the Standby rating only in the number of running hours allowed per
    year. ESP ratings allow a maximum running time of 200 hours per year at a 70% average load
    factor with varying load. An example of the Standby and ESP ratings are shown in Figure 1.

    Figure 1: Example Load Profile 3 MW Standby Rating


    Mission Critical Standby
    In this application, the generator set is capable of providing emergency backup power at the
    nameplate rating for the duration of an outage. The average load factor of a mission critical
    standby rated generator set should be no more than 85% of the nameplate rating with varying
    loads. A mission critical standby generator set can run for a maximum of 500 hours per year.
    Typical peak demand is 100% of the rating for maximum of 5% of the operating time. The mission
    critical standby rating is not for use in utility paralleling applications. An example of the mission
    critical standby rating is shown in Figure 2.

    Figure 2: Example Load Profile: 3MW Mission Critical Standby Rating


    For example, a 3 MW mission critical standby-rated generator set will provide power for the
    duration of an outage. It could be run for up to 500 hours per year and have an average load
    factor of up to 2.55 MW.

    Caterpillar

    UNDERSTANDING GENERATOR SET RATINGS

    Prime
    In this application, the generator set is capable of providing power to a varying load for an
    unlimited number of hours per year. A Prime rated generator set is capable of providing full
    nameplate rating for a period of time, but must have an average load factor of no more than 70%
    of the Prime rating. Ten percent overload is allowed for emergencies for a maximum of 1 hour in
    12, and for no more than 25 hours per year. The standard prime rating is for use in either utility
    paralleling or isolated applications. For example, a 2.7 MW rated unit may provide the full
    nameplate rating for a short duration, but should have a maximum average load of 1.89 MW (not
    including generator set non-running time per ISO8528-1). The generator set can also provide 3
    MW of power in emergencies as defined above. An example of the Prime rating is shown in
    Figure 3.

    Figure 3: Example Load Profile: 2.7 MW Prime Rating

    LOAD MANAGEMENT
    A Prime rated generator applied under load management guidelines allows for a Prime rated
    generator set to be used in parallel with the utility. A Prime rated generator set under load
    management guidelines can run for a maximum of 500 hours per year. This generator set has
    the same nameplate rating as a Prime rated unit, but allows for an average load factor of up to
    100%. The Prime rating with load management guidelines does not allow for a 10% overload
    capability. For example, these guidelines state that a 2.7 MW unit (same nameplate rating as the
    Prime rated unit) can be run at 2.7 MW for a maximum of 500 hours.
    Load Management Practices
    There are two basic load management practices: base loading and peak shaving. In base
    loading, the generator set operates at a fixed kW output, and the utility provides power for any
    peaks above that level. In this scenario the end user may export power to the grid if more power
    is being generated then is required by the facility loads, and the appropriate agreements with the
    utility are in place. An example of base loading is shown in Figure 4.

    Figure 4: Example Load Profile 2.7 MW Load Management (Base Loading)

    Caterpillar

    UNDERSTANDING GENERATOR SET RATINGS

    In peak shaving, the utility provides a fixed amount of kW and the end user deploys the
    generators to pick up, or shave, demand peaks and any other load requirement over that fixed
    amount of load. Peak shaving can be used during times of the year when the utility has demand
    higher than its capacity. In this case, the utility provides incentives to generator set owners to use
    peak shaving to decrease the load demand from the grid. An example of peak shaving is shown
    in Figure 5.

    Figure 5: Example Load Profile 2.7 MW Load Management (Peak Shaving)


    Continuous
    In this application, the generator set is able to provide power to a non-varying load for an
    unlimited number of hours per year. The average power output of the generator set is 70 -100%
    of the rating. The rating is designed to provide 100% of the rating for 100% of the operating
    hours. Typical Continuous rating applications include base loading in parallel with the utility and
    co-generation operations. An example of a continuous rated generator set is shown in Chart 6.

    Figure 6: Example Load Profile 2.5 MW Continuous Rating

    Performing dual duty


    Intelligent use of ratings also can help customers use power systems for the added purpose of
    load management. Here, advanced switchgear is part of the equation. In some applications there
    may be a desire to use backup generators for load management to produce an additional return
    on their investment. However, standby rated generator sets are not intended for operation in
    parallel with the utility. To perform utility paralleling applications a prime rating with load
    management guidelines or a continuous rated unit are appropriate. Paralleling switchgear
    combined with the correct prime rated units is required when operating under load management
    guidelines. The switchgear controls provide increased system flexibility allowing generator sets to
    operate in parallel with the utility. The switchgear is able to control the load on the generator sets

    Caterpillar

    UNDERSTANDING GENERATOR SET RATINGS

    and monitor the power supplied from the utility. This ensures that the generator sets are providing
    the proper load and are not operating outside of their rating guidelines.

    CONCLUSION
    Regardless of the application, generator set ratings help ensure that customers power needs are
    met and that generating equipment is protected from premature wear. Choosing the right rating
    means making the proper tradeoffs between run hours, peak load, and average load. The proper
    rating means the customer receives the optimum combination of installed cost and long-term cost
    of ownership.

    ABOUT
    About Caterpillar
    For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive
    and sustainable change on every continent. With 2012 sales and revenues of $65.9 billion,
    Caterpillar is a technology leader and the worlds leading manufacturer of construction and mining
    equipment, clean diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.
    Diesel Solutions Center: www.Cat-ElectricPower.com
    Online Community: https://caterpillar.lithium.com/t5/Electric-Power-Generation/ct-p/EPG
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Caterpillar.Electric.Power
    YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/CatPowerGeneration

    LEXE0047-03 August 2013


    2013 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved.
    CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, "Caterpillar Yellow," the "Power
    Edge" trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of
    Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

    Caterpillar

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