Diesel generator sets – three basic configurations
Energy Power Systems offers generator sets across a wide power range, suited to both standby and continuous duty. Depending on the installation site, the required power, the noise level and the scope of the supporting infrastructure, the sets can be built as open units for installation indoors, as sound-attenuated enclosed units, or as units in containerised enclosures.
1. Open units – for installation indoors
An open generator set is a genset mounted on a steel frame, without an outer enclosure to protect it against the weather or to limit noise emissions. The solution is intended primarily for installation in properly prepared generator rooms or other dedicated plant rooms.
In this configuration the functions performed by the factory enclosure of a canopied set have to be taken over by the building and its installations. The air intake and discharge, the exhaust system, noise attenuation, the fuel installation, heat rejection and service access all have to be designed correctly.
The greatest advantage is design freedom. The solution works well at high and very high power ratings, and wherever there are individual requirements regarding acoustics, ventilation, fire protection or fuel management.
The recommended power range for units of this type is approximately 30–4125 kVA.
- requires a prepared plant room;
- ventilation, exhaust and attenuation are designed as part of the building installation;
- the greatest flexibility in terms of equipment and expansion;
- a very good solution for high and very high power units.
2. Sets in a sound-attenuated enclosure
A set in a sound-attenuated enclosure is a complete unit intended primarily for installation outside the building. The steel enclosure protects the unit against the weather, while the materials and design solutions used limit the noise emitted during operation.
Compared with a set installed in a plant room, the solution is more compact and reduces the scope of construction and installation work on site. The enclosure integrates, among other things, the cooling air ducts, acoustic attenuation elements, the exhaust system and service access.
When selecting a unit, particular attention should be paid to the relationship between the level of attenuation and the flow of cooling air. As the power of the set increases, so does the amount of heat that has to be rejected, while more extensive acoustic attenuation increases flow resistance. This increases the size of the enclosure and may favour the use of a container or a plant room.
A practical selection rule: sound-attenuated enclosures are most often used for low and medium power units, in particular up to around 1000 kVA PRP. This is not a technical limit, however — higher ratings are possible.
- the simplest solution for a standard outdoor installation;
- weather protection and noise attenuation in one compact structure;
- a smaller scope of work at the installation site;
- at high ratings the limiting factors are primarily ventilation, dimensions, acoustics and service access.
3. Sets in a containerised enclosure
A containerised build is the most extensive form of generator set configuration. The generator, together with the necessary installations, is built into a technical container which can serve as a complete, factory-prepared generator room.
The container allows an extensive ventilation system, exhaust, acoustic attenuation, fuel tanks and fuel transfer automation, power distribution, high-power connectors, lighting, additional service doors and other auxiliary systems to be integrated. The greater space makes it easier to provide adequate service access and the right cooling conditions for the set.
The container solution is particularly advantageous for high and very high power sets, for installations with elevated acoustic requirements, and for projects in which the greatest possible part of the system is to be assembled and tested before delivery to site.
The recommended power range for units of this type is approximately 30–4125 kVA, with the highest ratings to be treated as individually designed containerised builds.
- a very wide scope for integrating additional equipment;
- good conditions for extensive attenuation and ventilation;
- a particularly advantageous solution for high power ratings;
- transport, unloading, foundation, dimensions and service zones have to be taken into account.
Key differences
| Feature | Open – plant room | Attenuated enclosure | Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical location | inside the building | outdoors | outdoors |
| Power range | 30–4125 kVA | most often up to approx. 1000 kVA; more is possible | 30–4125 kVA; high ratings individually |
| Weather protection | provided by the building | provided by the enclosure | provided by the container |
| Noise attenuation | designed in the generator room | integrated with the enclosure | integrated; wide scope for expansion |
| Ventilation | designed on site | integrated with the enclosure | designed as part of the container |
| Exhaust installation | carried out on site | integrated | integrated |
| Scope for expansion | Limited by the size of the room/building | limited by the size of the enclosure | very wide |
| High ratings >1000 kVA | a very good solution | possible, but less compact | a very good solution |
| Scope of work on site | the largest | the smallest | medium |
Summary
Open sets: work best in facilities with a dedicated generator room and in high-power installations requiring individually designed ventilation, exhaust, fuel system and acoustic protection.
Sound-attenuated enclosed sets: a compact solution for outdoor installations, providing weather protection and noise reduction without the need to build a separate room. They are most often used up to around 1000 kVA PRP, although higher ratings are also possible.
Containerised sets: complete, individually configured systems that work particularly well at high power ratings and with extensive additional equipment. Range 30–4125 kVA, subject to individual design of the largest units.
Not sure which configuration is right?
Get in touch with our team — we will match the configuration to the installation site, the required power, the permissible noise level and the scope of infrastructure that has to be prepared on site.