Power Balancing Services signs 30MW genset contract with Finning

Generators will help maintain UK capacity Finning UK & Ireland (Finning), the sole dealer for Caterpillar in the UK & Ireland, has signed a contract to supply Power Balancing Services Limited (PBS) with 15 brand new 2MW gensets that will help to modernise the UK’s electricity network. The deal covers two Cat® G3516H and 13 Cat CG170-20 gas-powered generators, which will be installed at five sites across the UK over the next three years and produce a combined 30MW of power. The first gensets will soon be delivered to a site at Asher Lane, Nottingham, and are set to start supplying electricity to the UK National Grid in January 2016. PBS will primarily use the generators to meet contracts it signed under the UK government’s Capacity Mechanism. This market-wide initiative offers financial incentives for companies willing to provide reliable capacity to the grid as aging coal-fired and nuclear power plants are taken offline. With several major projects, such as next-generation nuclear builds, still several years from completion, smaller suppliers are being called on to help the UK meet the demand for power, especially in the winter. We chose to select the engines from Finning for three reasonssays Graham White, CEO of Power Balancing Services Limited. “First, it has a first-class track record on other generator projects and the Cat engines are proven to be reliable. Second, we wanted to take advantage of the efficiency of Cat gensets. Finally, we were impressed by its prices. Continues… “As well as purchasing the gensets, we’ve signed a 15-year service agreement with Finning which covers their ongoing maintenance and the provision of genuine spare parts.” The reciprocating gas engines supplied by Finning can be installed in a short timeframe to offer an easily integrated and affordable power generation solution. This makes them ideal for meeting the demands of the Capacity Mechanism. At the same time, running the gas engines over a long period will be more economical than using similarly-sized diesel generators and will emit significantly less CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The G3516H genset features the lowest total life cycle cost in its class, thanks to a long stroke design, high compression-ratio pistons, a high efficiency turbo and a high efficiency generator design. The time and costs associated with maintenance are also reduced thanks to the G3516H’s optimised piston, ring and liner designs, which help to minimise oil consumption. The CG170-20 is designed for maximum efficiency in extended-duty generation and cogeneration applications, combining a small footprint with a high power output. The amount of dead space in its combustion chamber is minimised, which increases the engine efficiency while decreasing emissions. The proprietary exhaust system also optimises the gas routing with fewer parts, boosting the efficiency of the turbocharger and reducing maintenance costs.

For more information on Power Balancing Services signs 30MW genset contract with Finning talk to Finning (UK) Ltd