WHITE PAPER ON: VARIABLE SPEED GENSETS

摘要

In the past ten years, diesel prices have more than doubled. High fuel costs have translated into tremendous increases in energy production costs, and on-site power generation is no exception. In prime power applications, lifetime fuel expenditures are often ten times the purchase cost of a generator set (Genset). Reducing fuel consumption, even marginally, can result in tremendous savings over the life of a Genset. Currently, Gensets consist of connecting an engine directly to an alternator to produce electricity. Since the electricity produced must be at a fixed frequency (50 or 60 Hz), the engine must rotate at a constant speed (1500 or 1800 RPM), no matter what the power demand is. One solution to save fuel in Gensets is to enable the engine to operate at variable speeds in direct relation with the required electrical load - much like in a car where the engine revs high when power demand is high (when passing) or lower to save fuel (in traffic). Variable speed Gensets were developed to adjust the engine speed to power demand. This document reviews the concept of variable speed Gensets, the solutions available, their advantages and the savings one can expect.