Power up business with a generator set

When access to mains power is cut off, it’s essential to have a solution that can handle the requirements of the business and your equipment, so you’re not left high and dry.

It could be due to a bad weather event, high demand overloading the main grid, or simply being in a location that isn’t supported with the right infrastructure. Regardless of the cause, power outages can disrupt day-to-day operations, affecting everything from production and customer service through to communication and inventory management.

And this unfortunately, can lead to consequences like lost sales, missed deadlines, frustrated employees and a hit to your hip pocket.

Investing in a generator (or several depending on the size of your operation) can be an excellent option to ensure the lights stay on and the tools keep running.

When should I get a generator?

Generators play a vital role across many industries as a mobile or remote power source, or as standby power to take over if mains supply fails.

This includes but is certainly not limited to operations in:

• building, construction and trades
• farming and agriculture
• emergency services
• equipment hire
• events
• retail and food production (temperature control)
• mining and other remote industry

Mobile power on the move

If you're needing a generator that can be towed or taken to different locations, some compact diesel-powered units can be mounted onto trailers or into the tray of a truck.

This offers great versatility for use: from powering tools and lighting on construction sites to power for festivals and agricultural shows, or in critical mobile applications such as fire and emergency services.

The most important thing is to match the expected load requirements of your business to the specifications of the unit. As it’s not a run-of-the-mill calculation consulting the manufacturer and an electrical specialist for advice tailored to your business is the best course of action.

Anything from a 20 kVA / 16 kWe (Prime) generator set through to a 37 kVA / 29.6 kWe (Prime) or 50 kVA / 40 kWe (Prime), or more, could be required—dependant on the load.

Example in action: equipment hire

Hire equipment specialists Big Chief Hire have a large book of clients in construction and civil engineering, as well as trade customers, who work in a variety of locations without connection to the main power grid due to early stages of land development.

Demand for remote power and mobile units steadily increasing, so they recently expanded their equipment range with several heavy-duty 20 kVA generator sets featuring all-weather canopies.

Feedback is that the generators are an excellent match for use powering tools and equipment on site, proving very popular with clients due to good fuel efficiency and low noise output (51 db at seven metres).

Big Chief Hire is now enquiring into larger generators for large load requirements and trailer mounted units for further mobile capability.

Remote power when mains isn’t an option

When there is no grid to connect with—such as in a remote or rural location—a creative solution is often required for power production.

Generator sets are a suitable solution for running vital equipment such as pumps, irrigation systems and machinery on farms, supplying power to buildings and telecoms, and can power a range of general appliances.

Important features to consider in a generator working in a remote application:

• capability for remote operation, manual and remote start
• remote (cloud-based) monitoring that can be operated by a device such as a smartphone.
• fuel efficiency under continuous load
• size of the fuel tank
• single and three phase connection
• casing type (protection from the elements)

Example in action: powering machinery

Based in rural Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, First Class Firewood needed a heavy-duty solution to power and maintain their machinery including a log-docking saw, firewood splitter and kindling machine.

Due to the rural location of the workshop and its exposure to outside weather conditions, an all-weather 20 kVA / 16 kWe (Prime) generator set with a rated voltage of 415 VAC / 50 Hz was chosen as the best option to ensure reliable power to the machinery.

This generator provided the correct amount without excess building up and a 78-litre fuel tank plus internal and external fuel supply switching as needed.

Since installing the generator, First Class Firewood have been able to get down to work and focus on expanding their product offerings and services with no worries about disruption to power.

Standby power

A standby power-rated (or ESP-rated) generator is a backup power solution designed to operate for emergency use, with the ability to run as the main power supply until it can be restored.  

Whether it’s a restaurant, day care centre, or mechanic workshop, power is vital to keep the business temperature controlled, and equipment running—including the cash register.

More importantly, standby power is vital to medical settings such as hospitals and surgery clinics where the loss of power can have devastating consequences.

There are strict standards in Australia governing ESP-rated generators to ensure they can maintain critical operations, so be sure to do your research and reach out to the Original Equipment Manufacturer or local power solutions expert to stay up to date.

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