Utilities
How It Works
Baseload generator power plants can range in size from just a few megawatts (MW) for a small island to over 100 MW for larger metropolitan areas. These power plants can be built with multiple 2 to 6 MW size class generators operating in parallel as a central source of electricity for the local electric grid.
Typical peaking power plant solutions operate in the 2 to 50 MW range from 100 to 3,000 hours per year. Most 100 hour-per-year plants would typically be diesel-fueled and cover a super peak, while natural gas-fueled power plant economics favor higher hour applications and longer duration peak demand.
Cat utility grade paralleling switchgear is used to operate multiple generators together and in parallel with the main utility grid. In open power markets, the power produced from these utility power generators during the peak times of day can be dispatched to meet local customers' needs or sold in open, real-time markets at the spot price for a profit.
For emergency utility power shortages or outages, Caterpillar also provides utility scale gas rental power modules via Cat Rental Power that can be quickly dispatched and installed to make up immediate power shortages.
Testimonials
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CAT® COGENERATION SYSTEM OFFERS ENERGY SECURITY FOR FORT KNOX
Trillions of cubic feet of natural gas trapped beneath Fort Knox are now fueling Cat® generator sets, which provide prime and standby power for the base and – through a process known as combined heat and power – heat and cool the installation’s 400-bed hospital as well.
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Cat® Generators Expand Power for New Utah Plant
Provo Power needed help reducing smog and emissions for their Utah Valley community. Using Cat generator sets, they constructed a new plant to produce cleaner air for the city.
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City of Lehi lowers energy costs with peak shaving
As the population of Lehi, Utah grows, Lehi City Power needed a way to offset the high cost of power from the grid. With support from their Cat® dealer, Lehi developed a power generation facility featuring three Cat G3520H generator sets capable of producing nearly 10 percent of the power needs for 20,000 customers.
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Cat® Solar Demonstration Project Powers in Bulk
In order to expand its power generation, IMEA Rantoul implemented a solar power project that generated remarkable results.
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Products featured in Customer Stories
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- Standby Rating
- 1750 ekW
- 1750 ekW
- Prime Power Rating
- 1600 ekW
- 1600 ekW
- Emissions/Fuel Strategy
- Low Fuel, Low Emissions
- Low Fuel, Low Emissions
3516 (60 Hz)
Producing reliable power from 1450 to 1750 ekW at 60 Hz, our 3516 diesel generator sets are made to meet your mission critical, continuous, prime and standby applications. We've designed each to ISO 8528-5 transient response requirements and to accept 100% rated load in one step. Generator sets offer both low fuel consumption and low emission systems.
Learn More- Continuous Rating
- 1660 ekW
- 1660 ekW
- Fuel Type
- Natural Gas
- Natural Gas
- Maximum Electrical Efficiency
- 37.70%
- 37.70%
G3516C
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- Continuous Rating
- 2519 / 2500 ekW @ 1.0pf
- 2519 / 2500 ekW @ 1.0pf
- Fuel Type
- Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blend (up to 25%)
- Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blend (up to 25%)
- Maximum Electrical Efficiency
- 45.30%
- 45.30%
G3520H
From natural gas to biogas, coal mine gases, or hydrogen fuel blends to support combined heat and power (CHP), emergency power, and local grid support applications, Caterpillar has a wide range of reliable gas power solutions.
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Further Reading
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Distributed Generation Using Natural Gas-Fueled Generator sets
When installed at or near a host facility with a significant heat demand, a generator set system with heat recovery can supplement existing boilers or other heat sources. In these situations, it is not necessary to invest in sophisticated systems that wring the maximum available heat from the engines. The only requirement is that the value of the heat captured significantly exceeds the cost to install and maintain the heat recovery equipment.
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Issues With Peak Demand
Diesel generator sets in the range of 10 kW to 20 MW are designed to operate mainly under variable loads. Generator sets will be purchased as either Standby, Mission Critical, Prime, or Continuous rated depending on the application. High peak demand customers incur a peak service charge from the utility. A peaking system with proper sizing, testing, and maintenance will help save on utility costs.
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Preparing for the Future of Grid-Code
As growth in distributed energy and other factors increase the risk of instability on electric utility systems, nations and grid providers are tightening grid-code requirements. Developers of distributed energy projects need to stay current with grid-codes and can look to a trusted equipment manufacturer for help with compliance.
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