POWER-GEN 2018
Perkins New Power Dense Engines Are A Game Changer For The Electric Power Industry
As modern diesel engines have become cleaner to meet increasingly stringent emission standards, they have also become significantly more efficient. That efficiency is measured not just in lower fuel consumption, but also in the physical size of the new generation of engines compared to their predecessors.
The difference is quantified as ‘power density’ which essentially means generating more power in less space, all else being equal. And, therein lies the key to a competitive advantage for every OEM and end user in the diesel-driven electric power (EP) industry because an engine that draws maximum power from the smallest package can make a huge difference to the bottom line.
Physically smaller engines provide significant benefits to generator set manufacturers and end users. The benefits include reduced shipping costs, smaller canopy sizes and the ability to fit more easily into confined spaces in crowded cities.
Three new engine platforms from Perkins; the 7 liter 1206, 9.3 liter 1706 and 18 liter 2806 each set a new benchmark for power density in their range of power nodes.
The 1206, for example, has 20 percent greater power density and is 22 percent lighter than the existing 8.8 liter 1506 platform it replaces. The new 1206 produces 160-220 kWe output from just a 7 liter displacement.
400 Series
The 1706 has 22 percent better power density compared to the 13 liter 2206 platform it replaces. The 1706 produces 275-350 kWe from a 9.3 liter engine.
And, the 2806 has 28 percent greater power density and a 35 percent reduced package size compared to engines with similar output in the market today. It delivers the same 635-750 kWe rating as other large displacement engines in the market.
For an OEM, these new compact engines are easier to package, reducing complexity and simplifying transportation, generating cost savings in the highly competitive EP marketplace. Better fuel efficiency means they also cost less to run.
The new 2806, for example, uses up to 10 percent less fuel than comparable engines for the same output, delivering major savings over time. And, all three have the technology to meet stringent emissions standards, a factor that can make the generator sets they power more saleable.
Ever stricter emission standards are a fact of life, and these engines are built with future changes in mind. They have all the technologies required to meet the full range of global emission standards, from fuel optimized engines for parts of the Middle East and Africa to the most highly regulated territories of the U.S. (U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final capable) and Europe (EU Stage V capable).
This is possible as the engines are built on a common core which can be configured to meet even the most stringent emission standards. This is particularly important to customers in the rental and standby markets, where the same core engine can meet standards in a less or a highly regulated emissions market, thereby simplifying maintenance, spare parts inventories, and operator training requirements.
Moreover, as diesel engine technology has improved, Perkins has leveraged these advanced technologies across fuel systems, turbocharging and more while applying them to EP engine platforms and subsystems. Therefore, new engines coming on-stream across the Perkins product line consistently deliver greater power density and a higher output of power from a physically smaller engine.
End users ultimately get the benefit of reduced fuel consumption, along with the same levels of reliability, performance and dependability they have come to expect from Perkins engines, all in a more compact, space-saving product. That is a significant advantage in critical applications in cities like New York, Mumbai, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and London, where space is at a premium and a physically smaller generator set can fit in more places while reducing installation, maintenance and running costs.
In the past, many high power density engine designs have adversely impacted reliability under extreme environmental operating conditions. This resulted in products unable to deliver rated power when the going gets tough and disappointed customers.
Perkins engineers recognized the challenge and made a customer’s ability to enjoy the advantages of using a smaller engine without sacrificing on performance and dependability a major design goal for all the new engines.
For example, the fuel systems and cooling packages used on the new 1706 and 2806 engines allow them to reach their maximum power ratings, even at high ambient temperatures. That means customers operating in the middle of a desert or other extreme environment will be able to depend on their Perkins engine to deliver all the performance specified under all the conditions they need them to work in.
Perkins is committed to improving power density in multiple engines across its product range. Products like the 1206, 1706 and 2806, mean that whatever an EP customer’s power needs, emissions demands, or environmental challenges are – Perkins can help them run a more cost-effective business with a cleaner, smaller, more efficient engine that is just as high performing and dependable as before.
Visit Perkins at stand 2208 during POWER-GEN International, Orange Country Convention Center, Orlando, Florida from December 4 - 6.
For more information, visit www.perkins.com/powergen2018.
