High-horsepower generator introduced onto market

22nd April 2016

By: Simon Sonnekus

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Multinational power generation equipment manufacturer Cummins introduced its QSK95 generator set onto the African market at the Power and Electricity World Africa Exhibition, held at the Sandton Convention Centre last month.

The generator set has been designed for critical applications, which demand a robust and reliable source of power to ensure uninterrupted operations at, for example, hospitals, sports stadiums, office buildings or data centres, says Cummins South Africa GM Andre Kuhn.

“The QSK95 enjoys ratings of up to 3 500 kW and delivers high-horsepower output while achieving installation economies with an innovative small-footprint design – lessening the effects on the environment and saving production space. We are excited about bringing this product to the Southern Africa market, especially in light of the current energy situation,” he tells Engineering News.

He adds that the QSK95 remains the company’s most powerful diesel generator set to date, offering up to 3.5 MW 60 Hz and 3.75 MVA 50 Hz, while accepting 100% of the rated load at once should a power source fail.

Kuhn states that its configuration enables the QSK95 to manage a facility’s full load in less than ten seconds. He further notes that the generator is used for critcal intervention, but it remains popu- lar when used for standby power as well as a supplemental power source for companies that want operational stability while remaining off the grid.

The 16-cylinder, 95 ℓ QSK95 retains Tier 2 and Tier 4 emission status from the American environmental regulation authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ISO 8528 certification.

Kuhn emphasises that the generator set can also be a cost- saving tool for companies, as it is designed to have the highest kilowatt-per-square-foot ratio in its class, resulting in a 20% improvement in power density.

“The space-efficient design of the QSK95 allows for easier service accessibility than is typical for engines of this output, as all key cooling, oil and fuel system components are externally engine-mounted, providing easy access.”

The Johannesburg-based company claims that, within 8 000 hrs of overall operation, the QSK95 can also save companies up to R5.8-million in fuel, as it remains one of the most fuel-efficient generators on the market.

Industry
Kuhn states that at least three QSK95 generator sets are to be installed and commissioned in Egypt in the second part of the year and that there has been strong interest from the African market for these sets.

“Cummins has received an array of enquiries across Africa from several corporations looking to enhance their standby power solutions. This includes enquiries from companies opera- ting in the data centre sector,” he says.

He adds that interest from the South African market has been subdued but notes that the country is fast becoming a favoured location for the installation of data centres and call centres. We foresee that the QSK95 power package will be the ideal backup power solution for this industry.”

Cummins’ Data Centre Continuous rating places no limi- tation on the number of operating hours, providing operators with unprecedented reliability and operational flexibility, Kuhn adds.

He says the 2 983 kW engine is also well suited to locomotive and marine applications in South Africa, and that these markets currently remain more open than the power-generation and standby-power markets.

Although growth in the local standby-power industry remains sluggish, neighbouring countries, such as Mozambique and Angola, exhibit attractive growth opportunities, he notes.

He emphasises that, while the markets in South Africa have slowed because of softer commodity prices and a weakened rand, Cummins sees opportunities in the servicing and maintaining of existing equipment

.

“South African companies are looking at repair options rather than new machinery and this speaks to the reliability and build of Cummins products and solutions,” concludes Kuhn.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

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