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Scania launches genset product line

Swedish engine maker Scania has launched a small range of gensets primarily aimed at prime power applications for the mining and construction industries.

Scania Gensets are available in two versions, open or closed canopy, ranging from 50 Hz 250-600 kVA and 60 Hz 280-665 kVA and powered by Scania 9.3 litre/5 cylinder or 12.7 litre/6 cylinder diesel engines. Scania Gensets will add a third engine to the range, a 15.6 litre/V8 with a power capacity of 800 kVA at 1800 rpm in 60 Hz later this year.

Unveiling the new product line at Middle East Electricity in Dubai on 17 February, Scania said the gensets will be packaged by Northern Ireland’s AJ Power with alternators provided by Mecc Alte and Cummins (Stamford). Cautious about brand reputation, Scania said potential distributors will be required to meet strict ‘Market Prepared’ regulations.

Robert Sobocki, Senior Vice Preident of Scania Engines told Critical Power Online: “Many of our mining and construction industry engine customers told us that they wanted a complete solution, so this has been driven by market demand.

“We are targeting all regions with the exception of North and South America. We see particularly strong demand in Southeast Asia.” Sobocki added Scania had already supplied a number of complete genset packages to Myanmar.

Perkins to exhibit new compact engine range at Middle East Electricity 2013

Genset engine manufacturer Perkins is exhibiting a new range of 400 Series ElectropaKs at Middle East Electricity 2013, which takes place in Dubai on 17-19 February.

Perkins 4006-23TRS gas engine There are four engines in total, all of which come in ElectropaK specification providing a turnkey package for direct integration into generating plant. The 403A-11G1 offers 9.2 kVA prime power at 1500 rpm, the 403-15G1 is rated at 13.2 kVA prime power, slightly less than its G2 counterpart, while the larger displacement 404A-22G1 completes the line up with 20.3 kVA prime power on tap.

In the field the 400A range has the option of the Extended Service Interval (ESI) package, which doubles the service interval to 1,000 hours. OEMs and Perkins distributors will be allowed to source all the individual components to create an oil top-up kit that meets Perkins’ recommended specification. As long as the kit is installed to Perkins standards, all warranty cover will be unaffected.

Perkins will also be exhibiting its 4006-23TRS gas engine. A turbocharged, air to water chargecooled, 6 cylinder inline engine, it is designed for operation on a wide range of methane based gases.

California mandates utility to provide 50 MW energy storage

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has ordered Southern California Edison (SCE) to procure at least 50 MW of energy storage capacity as part of a plan to supply as much as 1,800 MW of electrical capacity in the area.

The requirement is the first of its kind for a utility in the state, according to Janice Lin, executive director of the California Energy Storage Alliance.

Under the CPUC's decision, energy storage resources must be considered "along with preferred resources" including energy efficiency, demand response and distributed generation, consistent with the clean energy resource procurement priorities embodied in California's Energy Action Plan.

Lin said: "This landmark decision represents a major breakthrough for energy storage market development in California and nationwide, and provides a much needed market signal that energy storage will be considered as a key asset class to help California address its long term local reliability needs."

JCB supplies engines to Italian telescopic handlers

JCB is to supply Ecomax engines for a range of rotating telescopic handlers from Italian firm Magni Telescopic Handlers.

JCB Ecomax

The deal between the UK and Italian companies is for up to 1000 machines a year, made at Magni’s factory in Castelfranco Emilia, in northern Italy.

Magni is producing seven models of its Magni Rotos range, each powered by JCB’s Ecomax Tier 4i engine. The Rotos payloads will be between four and six tonnes, and have lift heights of between 18 and 30m. Production is due to begin in Spring 2013.

JCB said the introduction of Tier 4 interim legislation meant most engine manufacturers had set out to meet the massive reductions in particulate emissions by incorporating a diesel particulate filter. JCB claimed to have used the new laws as an opportunity to innovate and engineer a solution that would mean no after-treatment, and consequently lower running costs for the customer.

World's first low energy LED hydrogen fuel cell powered lighting tower launched

UK-based access equipment and systems provider Youngman has launched a hydrogen-fuelled LED lighting tower that is powered by a PEM fuel cell system.

Youngman claims the Ecolite-H2 unit, which runs on a BOC Hymera fuel cell, is the first time fuel cells have been integrated into a low energy, low voltage LED system.

The tower’s fully-autonomous run-time is 50-900 hours, depending upon its cylinder configuration.

It can be started and stopped remotely, produces zero on-site emissions and operates silently, delivering a number of important benefits over incumbent diesel-fuelled technology.

Schneider Electric makes energy use visible

Schneider Electric now offers energy management solutions that highlight IT devices and plug load energy use online allowing it to be visible and, thus, controllable. Called EnergySTEP@Work, the system uses Cisco EnergyWise Technology to reduce wasted energy from applications such as PCs, printers, IP phones, task lighting and wireless access points.

Energy usage becomes controllable with Schneider’s StruxureWare software applications, which can manage other systems in a building such as the lighting, heating and ventilation systems.

“Today’s workplace is changing and more employees are bringing in their own devices to the office to connect to the network. Schneider Electric’s EnergySTEP@Work offers customers the ability to monitor and control those smaller plug loads that, when added together, can account for upwards of 40% of a building’s energy consumption,” said Barry Coflan, Senior Vice President, Schneider Electric, Buildings Business Offer Management.

While these devices often go unnoticed, the new software makes them visible and monitors usage in relation to the building’s wider energy usage.

UK fuel cell industry seeks government support for fuel cells

A campaign has been launched to obtain more support for British-made hydrogen fuel cells under a national renewable energy feed-in tariff scheme.

According to Energy and Environmental Management, the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UKHFCA) said British and European companies are lagging behind those in the US and Korea in terms of government support for baseload power from fuel cell technology. The US Department of Energy recently announced $150m tax credits for clean energy manufacturers, including manufacturers of fuel cells, in addition to a previously announced programme of $2.3bn of tax credits.

Currently, some CHP (combined heat and power) installations are eligible for support under the Renewable Obligation scheme, but there is no support for low carbon hydrogen fuel cells across the power, transport and heat sectors. The trade association believes that small scale low carbon electricity from fuel cells should be rewarded with a £0.17/kWh ($0.26) generation tariff, up to the 5 MW installation limit set by the support scheme.

Ian Williamson, chief executive of AFC Energy and director of the UKHFCA, said: "The UK is a leader in fuel cell technology and AFC Energy wants it to remain that way," he said. "This is about both energy efficiency and UK jobs. That is why we have urged the government to extend the feed-in-tariff scheme to cover fuel cells."

UTC Power sells fuel cell unit to ClearEdge Power

US conglomerate United Technologies Corporation (UTC) has sold its stationary fuel cell division to Oregon-based ClearEdge Power.

UTC Power has installed over 300 of its PureCell stationary fuel cells systems in 19 countries and on six continents for large industrial clients and power grids. ClearEdge's products are focused more on the homeowner and small businesses.

The financial terms of UTC Power's sale were not disclosed. Industry analysts have speculated UTC sold the fuel cell subsidiary for a deep discount just to unload the venture, as the unit had never turned a profit.

Gas genset installation capacity to reach 60 GW in 2018 report

Global installations of gas gensets from 2013 to 2018 will total 60 GW of capacity, according to a new report from Pike Research.

The installation of 60 GW capacity worldwide will generate almost $10bn in annual revenue, said the report.

“Until recently, the natural gas genset market has experienced steady growth, but a boom in unconventional gas resources and tightening regulations limiting stationary generator emissions point to accelerating growth over the next decade,” says Pike Research senior research analyst Mackinnon Lawrence.

“The number of specialised segments within the genset market – spanning power classes, applications, and end-use customers – offers a rich ecosystem of opportunities for market participants,” he added.

KiWi Power appoints former UK Department of Energy advisor Miriam Maes to board

UK demand response provider KiWi Power has appointed former UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) advisor Miriam Maes as a new non-executive director.

Maes was appointed delivery advisor to the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) from 2010 to 2011 and as advisor to the new Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO) within DECC from 2011 until March 2012, providing expert advice on energy efficiency issues.

Maes has worked in the energy sector since 2002, initially as a member of Texas Utilities’ (TXU) European Executive and subsequently as COO of EDF Energy’s non-regulated distribution networks business. In 2007, Miriam became CEO of climate change consultants Foresee.

Yoav Zingher, KiWi Power’s director and co-founder said: "I am delighted to welcome Miriam to the Board as non-executive director. Her experience and track record within the energy space will be of immense value to KiWi Power.” Maes added: “I am delighted to join such a forward looking company with such a great team. The demand response concept is essential to the optimisation of the energy resources in the transition to an affordable low carbon economy and has enormous potential in the UK and internationally.”

Maes is also non-executive director of the Euronext listed and BELPEX company ELIA Group (Belgium), the Belgian and part German transmission and distribution system operator, and of Assystem (France) an international energy, automotive and aerospace engineering company, listed on NYSE Euronext. Since November 2012, Miriam has been appointed as chairman of the AIM-listed Sabien Technology Group, a manufacturer and seller of a patented boiler optimisation system.

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