Standby Generator Require Fuel To Provide Backup Power To Numerous Important Services In Today’s Modern World
Standby generators, though they perform important tasks like making sure hospitals have power to support life during a power outage, often get a bad rap for how much fuel they burn. The questions we see on social media are never ending, but most folks do not realize what generators do and of course, it is hard to put a price on life, not to mention convenience, and peace of mind.
Many folks count on generators to charge electric cars, power elevators and emergency lightning or air conditioning and heating units in large buildings, resorts, data centers and water treatment plants to name a few applications.
At Generator Source, we play a crucial role in the power industry and any time we show a load bank test on a larger unit, it never fails– some folks see a puff of diesel smoke and complain or ask the old question, how much fuel does that burn?
A larger industrial generator such as a 1000 kW diesel unit will burn 52.1 (gal/hour) at 75% load. A smaller 350 kW diesel will use 25.1 gal/hour, while a 100 kW to keep ice cream cold at an ice cream shop might use 7.4 gal/hour at full load. A small price to pay versus losing all their product.
A hospital or large downtown resort might have (2) 2000 kWs to run the entire building should a power outage occur. A single 2000 kW diesel genset will burn 141.9 gal/hour (about 537.15 L) at 100% load to make sure that the hospital runs 24/7. These units are often equipped with a 2000- to 3000-gallon base tank. There are also natural gas units that can be connected to a natural gas supply.
We like having internet access, right? We love our phones, devices, and laptops to do daily work and for staying connected. Well, datacenters, internet providers, websites, online retailers, cell phone companies—you name it—every large business has standby power. Each cell tower has a generator not to mention every company headquarters.
What if emergency services like a police or fire station did not have a generator for when a natural disaster occurs? Guess what, they all do! They can keep protecting the community and communicating thanks to standby industrial power. Loss of power in a business setting causes downtime, but as we are illustrating here, generators protect us from many of the effects of a power outage. They cannot stop power outages, but they can ensure a company or organization carries on as if nothing has happened.
School districts and college campuses count on as many as 300 generators to make sure all their operations/buildings stay powered. Gas stations that have backup generators can also continue to pump gas and take payment during an outage. Some local government agencies in places where storms are common like Florida, now require backup generators as a building requirement. The Florida Alternate Power Source Law (Fla. Stat. § 526.143) applies to gas stations built or significantly renovated after July 1, 2006.
How about a zoo? Certain species need heat, or cold, humid, or dry conditions in their enclosures to survive. Massive fish tanks need water pumps that never turn off. If the power goes out and there is no backup power, that species is in danger, as they count on zookeepers for care and backup power for life. Most zoos have dozens of generators, one for each unique building or animal exhibit. See our field service team in action at our local zoo here.
Yes, once you realize how many operations count generators for life, business, or the basics, you will soon realize how important of a role they play in society. Once you see one on the side of a building, you will start to see them everywhere.
Also, when you think of the costs associated with running a generator, keep in mind what an inconvenience it is to be without power even for a couple of hours during a storm or rolling blackout at your home or business. It does not have to be that way!.jpg.aspx)
Next time you see a video of an industrial generator starting up, think of all the important places that cannot operate unless they have standby power, particularly when it comes to a loved one in a hospital. If you do not like the puff of diesel smoke or to hear the cost, try not to think of that as a surgeon saves your family member during a power outage when the generator provides them with light and the ability to perform regardless of power loss in the region. I doubt you will be thinking of that commercial genset and the fuel it burns where you are concerned for family.
Still curious about fuel consumption data, click here for our popular chart. And keep in mind, these units are for standby power. These figures are only valid when it is running. They use little fuel when sitting idle, only firing up occasionally for exercising or when our team conducts maintenance and load banks tests annually.
Click here for field service information in Colorado, Florida and Texas or call 877-866-6895 for more information.