Gulf Construction Online - Cummins caters to clean energy demands

Generators

The new QSK23 genset.... the most powerful in its range.

Cummins caters to clean energy demands

01 July 2003

Cummins Power Generation reports it is responding to consumers' key demand for clean, environmentally-friendly energy with its new range of full-authority (electronically controlled) engines and gensets.

'The current trend in the engine and power generation industry is the development of electronically-controlled engines and integrated controls and Cummins is keeping ahead of this new trend with a range of gensets that are fully electronically controlled as well as being environmentally responsible,' a company spokesman says.
'By implementing innovative engine modifications and after-treatment technologies, Cummins has found an answer to consumers' key demand for cleaner, environmentally-friendly energy,' he adds. 'A major thrust to meet this demand is the design and introduction of full authority (electronically controlled) engines and gensets.'
Cummins Power Generation's range of gensets includes the following full-authority engine-powered sets: 110 kVA 4-ISB (3.9 litre); 220 kVA 6-ISB (5.9 litre); 550 kVA QSX15 (15 litre); 800 kVA QSK23 (23 litre); 2,200 kVA QSK60 (60 litre) and 3,300 kVA QSK78 (78 litre).
This already extensive range of gensets is set to grow further in the coming years as further developments are introduced.
The standard genset controls will be the PowerCommand 3100 system. This system offers the industry-leading, microprocessor-based generator set monitoring, metering, and control system, specifically designed for 'full-authority' engines that have sophisticated capabilities, he says.
'The advantages of developing full electronically-controlled engines and generators are numerous and crucially include the ability to optimise the system to your specific application. Fuel economy, emissions, noise levels and power density can all be automatically monitored and controlled through advanced digital instrumentation,' says the spokesman.
The new ISB engine-powered gensets are a result of the Cummins 'Euro 3' project, which was established to develop industry-leading engines from 3.9 to 11 litres that exceeded all current emission legislation.
The gensets to be launched between the 100 to 250 kVA nodes surpass other sets in this range in terms of power density, torque output and fuel efficiency. In addition, the common rail fuel system that they utilise helps to optimise engine parameters such as emissions and fuel efficiency.
The new QSK23 genset models, launched in the second quarter of this year, have been designed to replace the QST30G1 and QST30G2 with a more advanced and cost-effective alternative. The 23-litre engine comes in a six-cylinder in-line configuration and is both turbocharged and aftercooled. It is the only in-line engine in its class and is the most compact engine in the 750 to 1,000 kVA power range, says the spokesman.
The models have higher power density while still being TA Luft and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier I and Tier II emission compliant, the spokesman says.
The EPA has established limits on emissions from off-road diesel engine generators that will be phased in over the next 10 years. These limits will be introduced, based on horsepower, in four 'tiers', and present a significant challenge to all generator manufacturers.
Cummins has released engines that comply with both Tier 1 (1996 standards for NOx, HC, CO and PM) and Tier 2 (2002 extends from 300 - 560 KW). Tier 3, which applies even more stringent standards, is due in 2005 and Tier 4 - though still speculative - is scheduled to come into force after 2010.
'Cummins has made a commitment to stay ahead of this legislation as it is introduced, and will continue to develop sets that meet and surpass the statutory requirements wherever possible,' says the spokesman.
'Power generation customers continually require manufacturers to provide the right product at the right price. To meet customers' needs, Cummins Power Generation is constantly reviewing new designs for gensets, their controls and sound-attenuated housings.
'Standing still is not an option in this fast-moving industry and, in the future, cost-effective, standard designs for a competitive market will favour the major players, while smaller manufacturers will need to find niche markets with high degrees of specialisation.'