Gas gensets industry: Markets, trends and industry players.

The growth of the global gas genset market and its future trends is of great importance to all the players in the industry. Here is a snapshot of things to come.

During the period 2018 to 2023, the growth was predicted to be a steady 5%.

Growth contributors and inhibitors:-

Since the global genset market is ruled by diesel gensets that are increasingly being regulated because of their emissions, gas gensets that are not environmentally toxic are expected to benefit from these developments. 

Also, the gap between supply and demand of electricity will have a positive demand for gas gensets. Gas gensets can be used in a variety of industries, do not have emissions and are used as a backup when electricity fails - these factors make them even more popular. Add the volatility of oil prices and you have a scenario that looks quite bullish for the gas gensets industry.

Gas Genset Market Segmentation :-

The gas gensets industry can be categorized according to fuel, power rating, application and end-user.

The fuel category can be further subdivided into bio-gas, natural gas, and others. Natural gas is the leader in the market in this subcategory thanks to easy availability of natural gas across many geographies. 

Under power rating, we have ratings up to 100 kVA, 100-350 kVA, 350-1000 kVA, and more than 1000 kVA.

The Application-based sub category includes Peak Sharing, Continuous and Standby. Standby is leading since 2017 and is expected to dominate soon.

In the end-user sub category, the market for Residential gensets is expected to grow rapidly. The other players in this category are Commercial and Industrial. 

Regional Markets:-

According to the MRFR report, North America, APAC, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and South America will demand the highest number of gensets. 

Thanks to the availability of natural gas, it’s low prices and demand USA continues to be the biggest market for gas gensets. 

Rapid industrialization in countries such as India and China will also lead to a high demand for gas gensets in APAC markets. Stringent regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, inadequate power supply will boost demand in these markets. 

In Europe, rising demand for eco-friendly gensets and rigid regulations are creating demand for gas gensets. 

Significant Players:-

According to the MRFR report, the key players in the category are Mahindra Powerol, Cummins, MTU On-site Energy, Caterpillar, General Power Systems, Siemens, AG, GE, ABB and others.

Mahindra Powerol deals in gas gensets that are extremely efficient and robust.

To know more about our products and the industries we cater to visit our website at: - www.mahindrapowerol.com or call us at 1800-419-1999

SMART CONSUMER - Understanding The Earth, Neutral and Phase Points

When you call an electrician what does he check? How does he identify faults in your electricity supply lines? Do you have clear understanding of the Phase, Neutral and Earth points in the sockets of your house?

Well, we are not trying to teach you Electrical Engineering. As a consumer, it is smart to be aware of the electricity distribution from Power Plant to your house. It is also important to understand the Phase – Neutral – Earth points and what is their importance. 

Let us first understand the basic of domestic electricity supply chain.

Domestic electricity supply can be broadly divided into three categories:

       1. Generation

       2. Transmission

       3. Distribution

GENERATION: Generation happens in big power plants (Thermal, Hydro, Nuclear, Solar, Wind etc)

TRANSMISSION: Generated power is stepped up for ease of transmission. Power is transmitted via DELTA connection, (a Delta connections needs only 3 wires R-Y-B).

DISTRIBUTION: From the transmission lines the power is stepped down through local transformers and from the local transformer connection is distributed to individual houses. 

From the local transformers power is distributed to different houses as STAR connection which is having 4 wires. Three Phase wires and one Neutral wire. The Neutral point in the transformer is connected to the ground.

For domestic connections, the Neutral point is common, and any one phase (R, Y or B) is given as line to individual houses.

Understanding the Socket

According to electricity rules, the left point will be Neutral (N) and the right point will be Phase (P). The Earthing (E) point will be at the top. The earthing is used for safety purpose.

Point P should always have power, this can be checked by a Tester. The N point has no power in it, it cannot be checked with a Tester. To check the N point, a test lamp should be used.

What is the difference between Earth and Neutral?

Neutral is connected to the Neutral point of your local distribution transformer.

The Earth point is unique, made for your house only.

Why Earthing is important?

If earthing is not done, there will be chances of electrical shock in case there is some fault in the circuit.

No risk of electric shock if Earthing is done even if there is a fault in the circuit.

Mahindra Powerol deals in robust and fuel-efficient diesel and gas gensets ranging from 5kVA to 625 kVA. To know more about our products visit us at www.mahindrapowerol.com  or call us at 1800-419-1999

Parts of a diesel generator and their functions.

We all know that a diesel generator is used as a source of backup when supply of power is not constant. They have assumed great importance and have almost become a necessity for households and companies in areas where there is a shortage of electrical supply. Given the promising nature of a diesel generator, we all have at some point used it or at least have known its merits. But have we ever tried to understand what are the various parts that power the diesel generator and help it function?

Let us look at some of the main components of a diesel generator and their functions:

1.       Engine – The heart of the system

The function of the engine is to create the mechanical energy that the diesel generator converts into electricity. The design of the engine is aimed at generating a maximum supply of electrical current by running on diesel or other alternate fuels.

2.       A comprehensive fuel system

Generators that run on diesel or any other fuel, have a fuel system that stores and pumps it to the engine. The tank stores a good amount of fuel to power the generator for several hours at a stretch. A fuel pipe in the system connects the tank to the engine while a return pipe connects the engine to the fuel tank for the return of fuel. A fuel pump moves fuel from the tank through fuel pipe and to the engine. There is a fuel filter which filters out debris from the fuel, if any before delivering it to the engine. A fuel injector atomizes and injects the fuel directly into the combustion chamber of the engine.

3.       An alternator

The alternator in a diesel generator converts mechanical energy produced by the engine into electrical current. It comprises of the stator and the rotor (or armature). The stator is stationary and contains a set of coils that conduct electricity. The rotor moves to create a constantly rotating electromagnetic field around the stator.

4.       Voltage Regulator

The alternator may generate electrical voltage but the level of voltage needs to be regulated that is suitable for practical use. Voltage regulator is an electrical regulator that maintains a constant level of voltage.

5.       Impeccable cooling and exhaust systems

The temperature of a diesel generator must be regulated to prevent overheating while being used. Generators can use a fan, coolant or both to control the temperature of the generator at work. The internal combustion engines are usually cooled by passing engine coolant through the engine block. The generator also produces exhaust as the combustion chamber converts fuel. There are exhaust systems that dispel harmful gases emitted.

6.       Lubrication system

A diesel generator comprises of various moving parts. These parts need to be oiled for their smooth functioning. The lubrication system ensures that the parts are well oiled and functioning at their best.

7.       Acoustic Enclosure

Being a mechanical product with many moving parts, a diesel engine makes lot of noise during its operation. In order to control the noise emission, the engine and alternator assembly is housed in a soundproof canopy having sound absorbent material from inside. As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the maximum noise emission from a generator should not exceed 75 dBA from 1 m distance from the canopy.

For more information about diesel generators, please visit: http://www.mahindrapowerol.com/  or

call us at Toll Free: - 1-800-419-1999

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Tips to save electricity

Conserving electricity serves the double purpose of helping stop global warming and saving a lot of money over time. Insulating your home and changing your daily habits are effective ways to reduce the amount of electricity you use. You can implement some energy-saving measures immediately, such as turning off and unplugging unused lights and appliances. Following are the some measures that could help create a better environment:

1. Purchase Energy Star Appliances: Energy Star is a government-backed rating system for energy-efficient appliances. The Energy Star label ensures that products you purchase have been tested and verified for performance efficiency. In addition, the Energy Star rating ensures that higher purchase costs will be recouped through electric bill savings.
2. One can make an instant change in the water consumption by installing low-flow fixtures. Replacing older toilets with a low-flow toilet will help save up to 75 percent of water use per flush; for even more savings, choose a dual-flush model with options for solid and liquid flushes.
3. Turning the heat and water heaters down when out of town and away from the house could prove highly beneficial. One could reduce energy use by 10 percent each time you lower the thermostat by 10 degrees for an eight-hour period; do so when sleeping or at work to reduce the electric bill.
4. Embrace natural lighting: Using natural light whenever possible instead of relying on artificial light can greatly reduce the amount of electricity you use during the day. The same is true whether you work in an office or spend your days in your house. Exposure to natural light also increases happiness, giving you an even greater incentive to raise the blinds.
• Try to arrange your workspace so that natural light floods your desk. Keep the overhead lights off when possible. When you need extra lighting, use a low-powered desk lamp instead.
• Buy curtains or blinds in a light shade that provides privacy but still allows light to come through.
5. Seal and Insulate: Insulating the exterior walls and roof of the house and sealing air leaks would save as much as 20 percent on your heating and cooling costs. In hot, sunny climates, add a reflective radiant barrier directly on top of your existing attic insulation to save in cooling costs. Air leaks are often easy to find as they are easy to feel, though many air leaks in basements, attics and crawlspaces go unnoticed.

ROLE AND DEPENDANCY OF ELECTRICITY IN OUR LIVES

  Electricity is an integral utility in modern society, with links to everything from a human's subconscious fear of the dark to the practical need for working illumination in an industrialized world. The entire world essentially runs on electricity, in one form or another, and while combustibles are essential at the present time as well, their time is nearing an end. Electricity is not only ingrained in modern life, it is also critical for its continued existence, as electricity will soon be the main source of power produced world-wide.

All of the modern energy alternatives are focused on creating electricity by renewable means, such as wind turbines, solar arrays and geothermic heating, ultimately using steam to turn large turbines, creating electricity. Electricity is the future but it is also the past and present, as without a continuous power supply, many living with assistance would not be able to cope. Most of the modern medical treatments that are commonplace today would be extremely risky if not impossible, without modern power and lighting.

   Lighting alone is the backbone of civilization. Without proper lighting, travel would be a life-threatening process at every step, risking collisions, getting lost frequently and impacts with stationary objects, even with the modern, high-power headlights on vehicles today. Electric power runs the world, with governments, corporations and financial institutions relying on it daily for communication, commerce and even direct trading. The grip of electric power also extends to the smallest and seemingly insignificant aspects of the average citizen, from mobile communications to the ability to cook indoors. Electric power is and will continue to be, one of the most important energy forms available to the human race as a whole and as fossil fuels steadily run out, more and more dependence upon it will become the standard.

People depend on electricity for everything. From television to refrigerators and kitchen appliances to mobile phones; it powers virtually everything in our life. Everything requires electricity to function. Banks and ATMs require electricity to maintain their databases without which no transactions could be made. Gas pumps and gas companies need a lot of electricity to operate without which people cannot travel. Fridges in grocery stores and in people’s apartments need constant electricity as canned and unsealed foods like meats, chicken, poultry etc can get spoilt. Traffic lights and safety systems find electricity indispensable. 

ENERGY INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS

In today’s era, energy demands are exponentially high and energy resources are depleting rapidly. It’s now time to come up with some innovative and brilliant ideas to generate environment friendly and low cost energy without utilizing the already becoming extinct energy resources. The following list is a compilation of some excellent ways to generate power.

·         Cycling to generate electricity - The Crown Plaza Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, was the first one who came forward with an exciting and innovative way to generate power. They offer a free meal to any guest who produces electricity for the hotel on an exercise bike attached to a generator. The guests have to produce at least 10 watt hours of electricity which is around 15 minutes of cycling to get a meal vouchers worth $36 (26 euros). This system gives health benefits as a byproduct to the generated electricity. The energy produced can generate energy to run a laptop for approximately 30 minutes. The idea is easy to implement and can be implemented by anyone on an individual’s level.

·         Car washing - The innovative device designed by Vandenbussche, POWA Water Generator, is a small turbine that is placed in between the hosepipe used to wash to cars or water the lawn. As the water rushes through the pipe, the blades of the small turbine turn and generate electricity. This company envisioned the system to charge the batteries of the electric cars but this electricity can be used for other purposes also.

·         Dancing on Floor of a Club - Till date it has been known that clubs are the maximum consumers of electricity as the music and the lighting systems consume a lot of power on daily basis. Now the clubs are an excellent place to generate power too. The idea was implemented by a club, Bar Surya, in London, that re-outfitted its floor with springs. The springs when compressed by dancers, produce electrical current. This current is stored in batteries and consumed to run the devices in the club. The dance floor can now power 60 percent of the club’s energy needs.

·         Exhaust of a Vehicle - The unconsumed fuel of the vehicle comes out from the exhaust in the form of heat. This heat can be harnessed to generate electricity. Thermoelectric generators convert heat into electrical energy by making use of a temperature gradient. The greater the temperature difference, the more current can be produced. Researchers say that the temperature difference between the exhaust pipe and a pipe carrying engine cooling fluid can thus be several hundred degrees Celsius. This temperature difference is used to generate current. This electricity can cover a fairly good proportion of car’s power requirements.

·         Solar Panels on Rooftops - An interesting way to generate electricity is by covering the roof of the house with a layer of solar panels. These panels serve dual purpose as they in addition to generating electricity provide insulation and lower the temperature of the house. The panels can also be placed in the backyard.

New and further developments have taken place in the domain of energy and power generation by various industries. The use of cutting-edge technology for fossil fuel generation has been made possible by one such technology known as the CO2 Capture and Storage technology which aims at impacting the environment in minimal ways.

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology is a totally innovative process. Firstly, CO₂ is separated from other gases produced in coal-fuelled plants, and then it is captured and transported to storage sites. Thus, the carbon dioxide produced in plants is seized and trapped in geological formations, such as depleted gas and oil reservoirs and deep saline aquifers.

LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE AND ITS IMPORTANCE

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor of light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for general lighting. Basically, LEDs are just tiny light bulbs that fit easily into an electrical circuit. But unlike ordinary incandescent bulbs, they don't have a filament that will burn out, and they don't get especially hot. They are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material, and they last just as long as a standard transistor. 

The lifespan of an LED surpasses the short life of an incandescent bulb by thousands of hours. Studies reveal that LED bulbs produce less carbon than older bulbs, which can be very useful to get rid of the ill effects of global warming.

These energy saving bulbs have a very long life, and they are able to remain consistent despite of long-term use. In other words, they are not easily hampered, even if you are using them for long hours. So, one can buy the bulbs according to their preference, those which do not need to be swapped frequently.

Light-emitting diodes are used in applications as diverse as aviation lighting, automotive lighting, advertising, general lighting, and traffic signals. LEDs have allowed new text, video displays, and sensors to be developed, while their high switching rates are also useful in advanced communications technology. LED grow lights have been one of the best innovations in farming as it helps improve the different aspects of gardening. There are interesting applications also which uses LED bulbs such as UV-LEDs for the sterilization of water and disinfection of devices and to enhance the photosynthesis in plants as a grow light. 

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Daylight saving time —also summer time in British English— is the practice of advancing clocks during the lighter months so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn.

The modern idea of daylight saving was first proposed in 1895 by George Vernon Hudson and it was first implemented by Germany and Austria-Hungary starting on 30 April 1916. Many countries have used it at various times since then. Much of the United States used DST in the 1950s and 1960s, and DST use expanded following the 1970s energy crisis. It has been widely used in North America and Europe since then.

The rationale behind the 1975 study of DST-related energy savings was that energy use and the demand for electricity for lighting homes is directly related to the times when people go to bed at night and rise in the morning. In the average home, 25 percent of electricity was used for lighting and small appliances, such as TVs and stereos. A good percentage of energy consumed by lighting and appliances occurred in the evening when families were home. By moving the clock ahead one hour, the amount of electricity consumed each day decreased.

In the summer, people who rose before the sun rises used more energy in the morning than if DST were not in effect. In the winter, the afternoon Daylight Saving Time advantage is offset for many people and businesses by the morning's need for more lighting. In spring and fall, the advantage is generally less than one hour. So, the rationale was that Daylight Saving Time saves energy for lighting in all seasons of the year, but it saves least during the four darkest months of winter (November, December, January, and February), when the afternoon advantage is offset by the need for lighting because of late sunrise.

In addition, less electricity was thought to be used because people are home fewer hours during the "longer" days of spring and summer. Most people plan outdoor activities in the extra daylight hours. When people are not at home, they don't turn on the appliances and lights. 

Inception and Evolution of Electricity in India.

HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF ELECTRICITY

Electricity, as we know it, is largely a product of eighteenth and nineteenth century scientific and engineering developments. At the very inception in our country the consumption of electricity was started for lightening the palaces of the King of Coochbehar in West Bengal and the King of Bikaner in Rajasthan

In December, 1896 Indian Electric Company, which was registered in London in 1895, was favored with the license to distribute and sell electricity in 5.6 Square Mile area in the city of Calcutta, the then capital of India, under Calcutta Electricity Lighting Act for 21 years. Kilbern & Co. was engaged as agent of the said Indian Electricity Company with effect from the 7th January, 1897. The private entrepreneurships solely were engaged in generation, distribution, and sale and in development of electricity in our country up to the year 1948 prior to enactment of the Indian Electricity Act 1948. The number of electrified villages and pumps engaged in agriculture were 1500 and 6500 respectively. Per capita consumption of electricity in India was only 16 units at that time. 

CHANGE IN POWER SECTOR POST INDEPENDENCE:

The power sector in India has undergone significant progress after Independence. When India became independent in 1947, the country had a power generating capacity of 1,362 MW.
Hydro power and coal based thermal power have been the main sources of generating electricity. Generation and distribution of electrical power was carried out primarily by private utility companies.

Notable amongst them and still in existence is Calcutta Electric. Power was available only in a few urban centers; rural areas and villages did not have electricity.

After 1947, all new power generation, transmission and distribution in the rural sector and the urban centers (which were not served by private utilities) came under the purview of State and Central government agencies. State Electricity Boards (SEBs) were formed in all the states. Nuclear power development was introduced, in late sixties. The concept of operating power systems on a regional basis crossing the political boundaries of states was introduced in the early sixties. 

Indian Power Scenario 2013

Electric energy occupies the top grade in energy hierarchy. It finds innumerable uses in home, industry, agriculture and even in transport. The fact that electricity can be transported practically instantaneously, almost pollution-free, at the consumer level and that its use can be controlled very easily, makes it very attractive as compared to other form of energy.

The per capita consumption of electricity in any country is; index of the standard of living of the people in that country. As per the latest figures, the annual per capita consumption of electrical energy in some of the countries is: USA—11,920 kWh, Canada— 16,020 kWh Japan—6,750 kWh, UK- 5,467 kWh, Russia-6,017 kWh and India – 498 kWh in 2012.

The electric energy demand in India during the past 20 years was higher than the gross generation as a result 
of which there were massive power-cuts. Monsoons are another reason for the increase in these power cuts. The load-shedding has been in force for the last several months as the water level in reservoirs depleted drastically due to deficient rainfall last year. There are several issues that characterize India's energy scenario today. These can be briefly listed as follows:

The present installed capacity in our country is about 225.133 GW as on May 2013 and the largest share in power generation is contributed by thermal power plants, which account for about 78.7 percent of the total power generated in country. Hydel power contributes about 18.5 percent while nuclear power accounts for only 2.7 percent. The rest being accounted for by diesel, wind, solar and gas plants.

In December 2011, over 300 million Indian citizens had no access to electricity. Over one third of India's rural population lacked electricity, as did 6% of the urban population. Of those who did have access to electricity in India, the supply was intermittent and unreliable. In 2010, blackouts and power shedding interrupted irrigation and manufacturing across the country.

The problem of rising power cuts can be resolved by adopting the following technologies which have been invented for the same purpose:

One type of technology includes inducting micro-turbines using natural gas that could enable individual households and shops to generate their own power cheaply, keeping grid as a backup.

Another such technology would be the construction of a Km long tower with saline or brackish water being poured from top so that as it hurtles down, the water reaches velocity of 70 km/h, good enough to drive turbines and generate electricity. Apart of this electricity would be used to pump water up and the remaining be utilized for consumption. Another device that could be used is a UPS (also called an inverter); a power storage device is a silent solution to power cut problems. 

Conserve Electricity - Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Electricity costs for lighting in the typical home can reach 12% or more in terms of your annual energy costs. So if you would like to know how to save electricity, you can conserve just by focusing on lighting. Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) are the right energy saving light bulbs to save money on electricity bills and conserve electricity in the home.

To put this into perspective, that percentage is about the same that the average home uses for cooling and electronic appliances. We seem to spend more and more time reminding people in the house to turn off the lights when they are not in the room, etc.

Essentially they combine the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting into energy saving light bulbs that can fit into incandescent fixtures. Energy star qualified CFL’s use approximately 75% less electricity that standard incandescent bulbs. These low energy light bulbs have a lifespan that is up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs. Therefore when you install energy efficient light bulb in your home, the resulting energy savings (electricity) is compounded over a longer period of time.

Where is energy saving CFL’s appropriate?

They are most energy efficient when used in locations requiring lighting for extended periods of time. So the first place to for installing them would be in the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, etc. You may not want to install them in a location where lights are only turned on for a few minutes (closet). You can do so; however the payback on efficiency (electricity savings) will be slower in comparison to other areas. If you are not sure, ENERGY STAR recommends using qualified CFL’s in lighting fixtures that are typically used at least 15 minutes at a time.

It is important to mention that CFL’s are sensitive to temperature ranges (specified normally on packaging) in which they work more optimal. Most common CFL’s are for indoor usage. There are models applicable for outdoor usage; in this case it is suggested to enclose them in fixtures in order to minimize the effect of the temperature sensitivity. This is not a must although you just need to check if they are weatherproof and can resists cold outside temperatures.

To conclude, introducing energy saving light bulbs in your home will allow you to conserve electricity and save money on electricity bills. Think about this the next time you need to replace a bulb, start conserving electricity and then reduce your energy costs!

Article Courtesy: Electricity Conservation