EDITOR ’ S HOICE ALTERNATIVE FUELS
ENERGYST
Making the switch
A genset is a common sight on many construction and industrial projects , working hard to keep equipment , machinery and welfare running . But do you know what fuel is powering the system behind the scenes ? While traditionally the answer would be easy — diesel — alternative fuels are becoming much more popular . Here Barry Hughes , Applications Manager at leading Cat ® generator rental company Energyst UK & Ireland , shares insight into alternative fuels for temporary gensets .
The environment is a compelling reason to switch from diesel to an alternative fuel . For companies that have made a commitment to become carbon neutral , moving away from diesel is a natural step . But this is not the only reason , businesses may be looking to reduce the impact on the local area by reducing the amount of smoke or smell the genset emits .
FUTUREPROOFING OPERATIONS
The Red Diesel Tax reduces the cost of diesel in many applications and has been a challenge for alternative fuels , but it does not offer security for the long term . In line with the UK Government ’ s net zero by 2050 target , some companies are concerned they will be penalised in the future for diesel use , though there will of course be exemptions .
In London , the Non-Road Mobile Machinery ( NRMM ) Low Emissions Zone is now stipulating and policing better environmental practices , such as adopting Stage V engines or improved solutions including early , including the approved use of alternative fuels . As other cities follow suit , it will contribute further to the uptake of alternative fuels .
For companies already committed to carbon neutrality , alternative fuels can reduce the requirement to offset at the end of the year , such as by planting trees if they do not achieve their own commitments to the environment , impacting on the business ’ s operational costs . There are also opportunities to reduce maintenance costs compared with diesel . For this mixture of reasons , we are seeing a huge rise in the number of people looking for alternative fuels .
TYPES OF FUEL AVAILABLE
Over the years , biodiesel has had bad press , mainly due to difficulties with quality control . While it is typically the first fuel that comes to mind when the topic of alternative fuels is brought up , it is not something we advocate the use of . There are several other fuel options in the UK and Ireland that offer better performance and reliability , such as hydrotreated vegetable oil ( HVO ) and gas to liquid ( GTL ).
HVO is a direct ‘ drop-in ’ replacement for diesel and is not comparable to biodiesel . It does not require engine modifications to gain the maximum benefits from the start , you simply clean the fuel tank and system and add HVO and start the engine . Watch the exhaust emit no smoke , even on start-up !
It also requires no change to servicing schedules , is odourless when burnt , is 100 per cent renewable and , because it is biodegradable , brings no concerns about spills or bunding . It results in a large decrease in emissions , up to a 90 per cent reduction of carbon footprint , a 10 to 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen dioxide ( NOx ), up to 100 per cent reduction in sulphur oxides ( SOx ), up to a 35 per cent reduction in particulate matter ( PM ) and a 20 per cent reduction in hydrocarbons . Its cold filter plugging point is -32⁰C , lower than both biodiesel ( -5⁰C ) and diesel ( -12⁰C ).
Another option is gas-to-liquid ( GTL ), which is currently available in the UK and mainland Europe . Named after the process it is made by , GTL offers similar savings to HVO , other than carbon as it is a fossil fuel . GTL is often used with diesel as a blend , which offers some exhaust emissions and operational savings and can be a steppingstone to reducing emissions further in the long run .
Though you might assume that heavy fuel oil ( HFO ) is similar to HVO initially , the two are very different . HFO is a heavy , tar-like fuel used in vessels and ships , offering no environmental benefits — it is important not to get them confused !
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE MAKING THE CHANGE
While HVO is marginally more expensive per litre than diesel , there are more factors in the equation . Firstly , purchasing in bulk can make the prices much more comparable — on a long-term generator hire , the costs may be very close or even the same ..
In addition , because HVO contains no carbon , it does not have many of the downsides associated with blends that include diesel , such as water contamination or fungal growth affecting fuel quality .
For example , it helps overcomes the breakdown risk associated with sizing a generator incorrectly . If sized too large for the application , the generator will run inefficiently , produce smoke and build up carbon , meaning the operator will need to load bank test it and perform other maintenance activities to prevent a breakdown . While oversizing will still mean companies are paying more for a larger generator than they need , HVO does mean they don ’ t have to worry about carbon build up causing a breakdown . HVO can therefore reduce maintenance costs , as well as provide operators with peace of mind that unexpected downtime is not about to hit .
Alternative fuels are growing in popularity as an environmentally friendly , reliable and financially justifiable option . In line with this , our entire generator fleet is suited to HVO and GTL , helping to keep your environmental conscience clear , and your equipment running .
To speak to a trusted supplier about alternative fuels for your equipment , call 0845 769 7450 or 1890 369 469 for Ireland .
For more information , visit https :// www . finning . com / en _ GB / products / rentals / power-systems . html .
36 PECM Issue 51