Generators for Commercial Greenhouses

GENERATORS FOR GREENHOUSE FACILITIES
GENERATORS FOR GREENHOUSE FACILITIES

Commercial Greenhouse Generators

of
Sabey

Cat® Generator Sets: How Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Works in Greenhouses

Combined heat and power systems provide a profitable and sustainable solution for greenhouses. By generating thermal energy and electrical energy simultaneously, a CHP system can yield a fuel efficiency rate over 90% versus the typical boiler efficiency of 40-50%. Typical payback on these systems is less than 3-4 years.

Install generators that grow your business.

Greenhouses require energy to thrive — they require time and resources. We’re helping make your business better with power built to cut costs and boost plant health. Cat® CHP systems are engineered to produce electricity for your operation while heating your facility. Fueled by natural gas, our CHP generators for commercial greenhouses run at an efficiency of more than 90 percent. A Cat aftertreament system filters exhaust gas, rich in carbon dioxide, to be used as plant root fertilizer.

Even sell excess energy to your local grid with our utility grade paralleling switchgear and controls.

Whether it’s an estimate, installation, or on-site service, we’re committed to ensuring you get quality from your commercial greenhouse generator and expert support from our Cat team.

Request a Dealer Consultation
Van Diemen Greenhouse
Van Diemen Greenhouse

High-Efficiency Power Systems

Greenhouse facilities reduce operating costs by implementing a Cat CHP system using clean pipeline natural gas as a fuel source. Cat gas generators for commercial greenhouses can provide electricity for electrical loads, heat energy for warming of the greenhouse, and recycled carbon dioxide from the engine exhaust as an organic fertilizer.

Benefits from greenhouse CHP projects include:
- Energy efficiency over 90 percent
- Reduced energy costs and emissions versus
  separate heat and electrical generation systems
- Increased revenue opportunities through the
  export of electricity
- Carbon dioxide crop fertilization

Read More
CHP
CHP

 

How It Works

Any Cat natural gas-fueled engine can be configured specifically for applications involving heat recovery. The engine drives a Cat commercial greenhouses generator to produce electricity, while jacket water and/or exhaust cooling circuits are fed through heat exchangers to transfer the waste heat from the engine to a hot water holding tank. That hot water is stored and used to keep the greenhouse warm. Oxidation catalysts can be used to remove carbon monoxide, and a urea-based SCR system is employed to reduce NOx to just a few parts per million. The result is an exhaust gas so clean it is piped to the greenhouse plants' roots as a fertilizer, boosting farmers' yields.

Since sizing based on heat load is the key driver, the electricity produced at a greenhouse often exceeds the local demand. Many countries throughout Europe incentivize high-efficiency electric power generation via production credits and most electricity produced is exported to the local grid. In other parts of the world, grid unreliability and pure economics are driving greenhouse agriculture toward similar solutions.

Caterpillar provides customized CHP package proposals, including the required mechanical equipment and controls to capture and transfer the engine thermal energy to a greenhouse facility. In addition, Caterpillar offers the required exhaust emissions aftertreatment, utility grade paralleling switchgear, and controls to sell excess electricity generated to the local electric grid.

The total energy cost savings of such systems can more than offset the total owning and operating costs, delivering a payback in as little as two to three years, depending on local energy pricing and policies.

 

Testimonials

Products featured in Customer Stories

  • C18 (60 Hz)
    Maximum Rating
    750 ekW
    750 ekW
    Minimum Rating
    500 ekW
    500 ekW
    Emissions/Fuel Strategy
    U.S. EPA Certified
    U.S. EPA Certified

    C18 (60 Hz)

    The C18 diesel generator sets developed for critical, standby and prime applications. Producing reliable power from 500 to 750 ekW at 60 Hz, meeting ISO 8528-5 transient response requirements and built to accept 100 % rated load in one step. Our C18 generator sets range from low fuel consumption systems to EPA Stationary Emergency (Tier 2) certified Emissions / Fuel Strategy.

    Learn More
  • C32 (60 Hz)
    Maximum Rating
    1250 ekW
    1250 ekW
    Minimum Rating
    830 ekW
    830 ekW
    Emissions/Fuel Strategy
    Low Fuel, Tier 2 Nonroad Stds
    Low Fuel, Tier 2 Nonroad Stds

    C32 (60 Hz)

    Producing reliable power from 830 to 1250 ekW at 60 Hz, our C32 diesel generator sets are made to meet your mission critical, continuous, standby and prime applications. We've designed each to ISO 8528-5 transient response requirements and to accept 100% rated load in one step. Generator sets range from low fuel consumption systems to EPA Stationary Emergency (Tier 2) certification.

    Learn More
  • CG260-16
    Continuous Rating
    4300 / 4000 ekW @1.0pf
    4300 / 4000 ekW @1.0pf
    Fuel Type
    Natural Gas, Biogas, Coal Gas, Associated Gas, Synthesis Gas, Hydrogen Blend (to 25%)
    Natural Gas, Biogas, Coal Gas, Associated Gas, Synthesis Gas, Hydrogen Blend (to 25%)
    Maximum Electrical Efficiency
    44.1 / 43.8%
    44.1 / 43.8%

    CG260-16

    From natural gas-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) systems and emergency power for facilities, to renewable biogas energy to support the local grid, or electricity generated from coal mine gases, Caterpillar has a wide range of reliable gas power solutions.

    Learn More
  • G3520C
    Continuous Rating
    2050 ekW
    2050 ekW
    Fuel Type
    Natural Gas, Biogas, Coal Gas
    Natural Gas, Biogas, Coal Gas
    Maximum Electrical Efficiency
    40.10%
    40.10%

    G3520C

    From natural gas-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) systems and emergency power for facilities, to renewable biogas energy to support the local grid, or electricity generated from coal mine gases, Caterpillar has a wide range of reliable gas power solutions.

    Learn More

BROCHURES

Caterpillar offers standard and customized power solutions for all your applications, where you need it, whenever you need it.

VIEW BROCHURES
BROCHURES
BROCHURES

Product Support

We appreciate your investment in Cat electric power products. Now we’d like to show you what comes with it. Caterpillar and your Cat dealer are dedicated to making sure you get the most from your equipment with outstanding service and support. Let’s explore what services we have to offer.

view resources
product support
product support

WHITE PAPERS

Caterpillar is pleased to provide information on new technologies as well as innovative solutions to power your business.

View White Papers
white papers
white papers

Electric Power Product Range

Cat Connect for Electric Power

Know how your operation is running from anywhere. Cat Connect gives you the information you need to make well-informed, timely decisions.

Learn More
cat connect
cat connect

Brochures and Testimonials

We have an Information Library of product literature, white papers, customer stories, and more. Find what you’re looking for.

View library
industry information
industry information

Generator Sets Sizing Calculator

Caterpillar Electric Power is excited to introduce you to our latest generator set sizing software, Cat Electric Power SpecSizer.

Learn More
specsizer
specsizer

Dealer Locator

Your Cat dealer is committed to maximizing your success, helping you get the most out of your operations with site-level solutions, service and support.

Learn More
dealers
dealers

Electric Power Newsletter

Get the latest information on Cat products and industry topics focused on helping you get the most from your investment. 

Sign Up
ep newsletter
ep newsletter

Electric Power News

Read the latest electric power news and articles relating to Cat electric power products by people in the know, on topics that matter to your business.  

Read More
ep news
ep news