Top 5 differences between diesel generators and mobile batteries

Energy generation vs. energy storage

On the most basic level, a diesel generator and mobile battery perform different tasks. On the one hand, the generator generates energy from fuel with a motor. The chemical energy stored in the fuel is converted into mechanical energy by combustion, so small explosions inside the motor. This is in turn converted into electrical energy by using an alternator, which uses the mechanical energy to spin its main rotor in a magnetic field. As a result, an alternating current (AC) is produced, which is electricity. Therefore, no other energy source than a constant flow of diesel is necessary when using a diesel generator. When using a diesel generator, in most applications the generator will be turned on and run at a constant level of power. Therefore, it is necessary to know of the highest peak demand to ensure that the generator can always supply sufficient energy. Additionally, a diesel generator with a surplus of power might be chosen to ensure that the supplied energy is sufficient, especially when the energy demand is unclear, or changes of demand are expected.

A mobile battery on the other hand stores energy. It can be connected to one or multiple energy sources to buffer energy for later and optimal use. Especially when there are high fluctuations of the energy demand, an energy storage solution can ensure through peak shaving that necessary power is always available. This is done by storing the electricity when there is high production until the battery is charged and then releasing the electricity when there is a demand for it. With this method, even relatively small energy sources can be leveraged to supply a much higher power with a battery as a buffer in between.

Energy source

It is already in the name. Diesel generators, of course, normally use diesel fuel. These generators use an internal combustion engine, which can be compared to that of a diesel car. By using compression, the diesel fuel is burned in the injection chamber, which then releases energy. Since diesel is already widely available and known as a reliable and powerful fuel, it is understandably used for many purposes. Additionally, it can be easily stored. However, diesel fuel also leads to high carbon and nitrogen emissions and the diesel prices have been increasing in recent years.

There are many options for mobile batteries regarding the actual energy source. Depending on the situation, it can be as easy as connecting the battery to a grid connection to boost said grid connection and then the type of electricity used depends on which electricity is fed to the grid. Next to that, there are also more sustainable options, such as connecting the mobile battery to solar panels or a wind park. In that case, no emissions are directly produced, and the battery can ensure that the energy is always available.

Some of you might have sat in an electric car before. The acceleration time of an electric car compared to a car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) is in general faster. In fact, the fastest production car to race one mile (400 meters) on the carwow leaderboard is currently an electric car, the Rimac Nevera, with a time of 8.6 seconds. The same applies to mobile batteries and diesel generators. Since mobile batteries are using electricity for all internal operations, as well as external, the start-up can in general be much quicker than the one of diesel generators. The start-up times can also be influenced by aspects, such as the external temperature, the connection to another component which requires synchronization and different generators and batteries, may also differ in how quickly they start-up. This difference in start-up times is especially important when using a mobile battery as a back-up energy source since it can react swiftly in case of a power failure.

Another aspect to keep in mind is the stand-by consumption of diesel generators. Since generators can differ greatly in size, no standard average can be given in this case. However, from our data we can show an example of stand-by consumption. Looking at our monitoring we can see that a diesel generator with a size of 200 kVA will on average have a stand-by consumption of 7.3 liters per hour. If the load when running the generator is low and not constant, this can lead to high waste in terms of diesel fuel, as well as emissions.

Emissions

As already mentioned, diesel fuel is known to be a pollutant and has gained a bad reputation in recent years. On average a diesel car for instance produces about 2.62 kg CO2 emissions (FleetNews, 2020)[1] and 50 to 1000 ppm nitrogen emissions per liter of diesel (Dieselnet, 2020)[2].

For batteries the emissions depend on the specific set-up. In the table listed below, our Data analyst Minou Grimbere has compiled data on how much diesel and running hours we have saved during our projects. This is a comparison to the case of diesel generators being used instead of the battery or a combination set-up. While the combination of our battery with a grid connection or solar panels is the most sustainable option, even a combination with a diesel generator alone in an off-grid situation can save between 40 – 50% of diesel and 70 – 75% of the running hours. We have included the running hours in this case, since the direct emissions produced by diesel generators, as well as the noise and stand-by consumption are reduced by saving those running hours.