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Power Generation January 7, 2025

Understanding the need for paralleled energy converter systems

This article discusses the factors that designers can consider when determining if energy generation systems should include paralleling and what concepts can be part of the design.

By Richard Vedvik PE, CHEPP, Principal, IMEG, Rock Island, Illinois
Power Generation June 3, 2024

Kinetic energy storage: what to know about a dynamic UPS

Dynamic uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) can be used in place of static UPSs, creating smaller, more efficient power solutions

By Rob Long, PE, RCDD
Power Generation May 23, 2024

Know specific, unique applications of generators in mission critical facilities

Electrical engineers should consider many factors when selecting generators and generator systems for mission critical facilities

By Brian Rener, PE, LEED AP, SmithGroup, Chicago 
Power Generation May 23, 2024

How to know where to place generator docking stations

Generator docking stations, essential for modern electrical systems, have gained popularity for their role in enhancing resilience and meeting NFPA 70 code requirements

By Brian Rener, PE, LEED AP, SmithGroup, Chicago 
Power Generation May 20, 2024

How to make generator fuel type selection in four steps

When selecting a generator, one of the first and most important decisions is which fuel type to choose

By Lilly Vang, PE, and Joshua Hunter, PE
Power Generation March 27, 2024

Using generator technology for reliable and sustainable energy

How tried and true equipment such as generators will combine with newer technologies to offer reliable and sustainable mission-critical power

By Nicole Dierksheide
Power Generation January 10, 2024

Your questions answered: Power generation systems in high-performance buildings

Electrical engineers must consider many factors when designing power generation systems. Get answers to your questions from this live webcast here

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation December 1, 2023

Your questions answered: Power generation and the critical role biogas plays in the energy landscape

In this webcast, attendees learned about biogas as a main or backup fuel, biogas distributed generation characteristics and resiliency and renewable distributed generation.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation November 13, 2023

Your questions answered: Generator set-based paralleling

This webcast provided a comprehensive overview of a typical paralleling emergency power system and dove into the fundamental key features needed to parallel generator sets. Check out the additional questions on genset-based paralleling.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation November 3, 2023

Your questions answered: Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) foundational learnings

Discover how uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems play a vital role in ensuring the availability and protection of critical equipment and data during power outages and voltage fluctuations.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation October 6, 2023

Your questions answered: What is the new energy landscape and how does it affect microgrids?

By designing a microgrid for a building or campus, engineers can help their clients reduce reliance on the electric utility. Read this Q&A for extra information

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation October 3, 2023

Building efficiency, quality remain major priorities for consulting engineers

Consulting engineers are working on reducing carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency with better sustainability and quality measures.

By Chris Vavra
Power Generation September 5, 2023

Consulting-Specifying Engineer most-viewed content, August 2023

Read the best articles from August 2023 including: UPS design considerations, NFPA 99 and fire sprinkler systems.

By Anna Steingruber
Power Generation July 31, 2023

Transformer, switchgear and UPS design considerations

Several key and common engineering decisions to consider when designing a power distribution system are highlighted in a case study example.

By Sha Eshghi
Power Generation May 24, 2023

Critical Power Webcast: How does NFPA 99 impact health care facilities code?

Register for this webcast on May 31, 2023, to learn about NFPA 99 and its implications for health care facilities.

By Gary Cohen
Power Generation May 19, 2023

Learn the pros and cons of centralized and decentralized generator systems

Centralized, remote and distributed standby generator designs are all options for power systems. Which one is best?

By Richard Vedvik PE, CHEPP, Principal, IMEG, Rock Island, Illinois
Power Generation May 19, 2023

Case study: Moving to centralized power generators with utility backup

A centralized standby generator arrangement will be explored further in the following case study

By Richard Vedvik PE, CHEPP, Principal, IMEG, Rock Island, Illinois
Power Generation January 25, 2023

Existing generators: Extending service life strategies and reuse case studies

Due to long lead times, maintaining or relocating existing generators is a possible solution to the supply chain problem

By Richard A. Vedvik, PE
Power Generation January 1, 2023

Considerations for emergency generator systems

Learn about factors to consider when designing a generator for an emergency power system

By Bianca Jimenez and Rick Baca
Power Generation November 3, 2022

Your questions answered: What to consider when designing a paralleling power system

When designing a paralleling power system, electrical engineers need to consider many aspects including transfer switches, grounding and protection

By Hassan Obeid
Power Generation September 14, 2022

Five more reasons generators fail when you need them the most

Here are five additional reasons why generators fail

By John Yoon
Power Generation August 15, 2022

Project Profile: Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency Backup Generator Project

This MEP project had several challenges including coordination of the pre-procurement of the diesel engine generators and paralleling switchgear as well as modifications.

By CDM Smith
Power Generation July 20, 2022

Hospital emergency power supply systems

Generators and emergency power systems are essential to enabling hospitals and health care facilities to effectively serve their communities

By Philip E. Mackey
Power Generation July 11, 2022

Webcast: Understanding HVO fuel in gensets

Attend this webcast on August 17, 2022, to learn about Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel and its environmental impact on the traditional diesel-powered generator system.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation June 11, 2022

Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer content: June 3-9, 2022

The most-viewed content from the past week covered emergency generators, HVAC systems, K-12 school changes and building electrification.

By Chris Vavra
Power Generation May 31, 2022

Five reasons emergency generators fail when you need them

Here are five common reasons why generators fail

By John Yoon
Power Generation March 1, 2022

Consulting-Specifying Engineer most-viewed articles, February 2022

Read the best articles in February 2022 including: Health care generators, electrical power quality, switch time duration, lighting controls and more.

By Chris Vavra
Power Generation February 25, 2022

Your questions answered: Specifying generator set paralleling controls

In this additional Q&A, learn how to parallel generators for emergency power systems, along with their fundamental control features

By Hassan Obeid
Power Generation December 2, 2021

Understand the distinctions of generators for health care

Generator systems designed for health care occupancies have a unique set of requirements

By James Lessard
Power Generation October 7, 2021

Education Session: Specifying Generator Set Fuel Sources

By attending this course attendees will learn about gaseous generator sets, and how NFPA 110 affects their specifications.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation May 25, 2021

Your questions answered: Evaluating and selecting generator set fuel sources

Learn about the applications of and building code considerations for specifying generator fuel sources

By Mark Taylor
Power Generation January 28, 2020

Case study: Leading-edge energy generation and storage

The California Air Resources Board will employ a battery energy storage system

By Kevin Krause, PE, LEED AP, Affiliated Engineers, Madison, Wisconsin
Power Generation June 24, 2019

Generators function as a reliable alternative power supply

When designing standby power systems for facilities such as data centers, hospitals, pumping stations, generation or processing plants, engineers should make informed decisions regarding proper generator size and operation methods to protect critical loads.

By Zia Salami, Ph.D., CDM Smith, Charlotte, North Carolina; Nick Holway, PE, CDM Smith, Boston; and Tyler Roschen, PE, CDM Smith, Raleigh, North Carolina
Power Generation May 22, 2019

Power generation: Where were we then? Where are we now?

A change in tide in domestic fuel resources and the introduction of renewables transforming how we operate our grid has led to significant shifts in the energy industry.

By Joe Estrada
Power Generation November 12, 2018

Planning for power outages

As part of its mission to help New York communities become more resilient to storm damage and the growing impacts of climate change, the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) partnered with the City and Town of Amsterdam and local volunteers to develop a New York Rising Community Reconstruction Plan for the two municipalities.

By Shahidul Joarder
Power Generation September 28, 2018

Case study: Hospital generator noise attenuated

Four outdoor diesel generators were designed for a hospital, and sound levels were better than expected.

By Tom Divine, PE, LEED AP, Smith Seckman Reid, Houston
Power Generation August 15, 2018

Selectively coordinated overcurrent protection for power systems

When designing a safe and reliable power distribution system, it is imperative to consider life safety and equipment protection.

By Marius Popescu, PE; Ali Ashur, PE; and Michael Stevens
Power Generation June 21, 2018

Your questions answered: Genset fuel sustainability and reliability

Questions that were not addressed during the live event on June 12 are answered here by Brian Ponstein, regional sales engineer at MTU Onsite Energy.

By Brian Ponstein, MTU Onsite Energy
Power Generation June 20, 2018

How to design a grounded power supply system

Transformerless uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems operate ungrounded during power transfer to a backup source, but a robust grounding design can accommodate the requirement of both grounded and ungrounded systems.

By Ben Stevens, EIT; Page Inc., Austin, Texas
Power Generation December 18, 2017

Dissecting NEC’s recent changes

Changes in and additions to the 2017 edition of NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) have an impact on commercial and industrial facilities.

By Victor Ammons, Jacobs
Power Generation November 22, 2017

Your questions answered: Electrical systems: Designing electrical rooms

Unanswered questions from the Nov. 16, 2017, webcast on designing electrical rooms are addressed by the presenters.

By Mario Vecchiarello, CDM Smith; Rich Vedvik, IMEG Corp.
Power Generation March 14, 2016

Generator sizing examples

When designing generator systems, such as engine-driven generator sets, design engineers must ensure that the generator selection, sizing, and the design of electrical systems are appropriate for the application.

By Tarek G. Tousson, PE, Stanley Consultants, Austin, Texas
Power Generation November 24, 2015

Healthy hospital success: Electrical, power, and lighting

With hospital projects, it is imperative that engineers get everything exactly right—after all, the lives of patients treated in the health care building may depend on it. Electrical and power systems must be designed correctly.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation June 30, 2015

Industrial-strength design: Electrical, power, and lighting

Manufacturing and industrial facilities tackle heavy-duty projects during their day-to-day operations—so it makes sense that engineers working on such structures face a number of tough challenges. Engineers offer advice on how to achieve results when designing electrical, power, and lighting systems.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation November 14, 2014

Paralleling generators in prime power applications

Paralleling generators can increase efficiency, improve reliability, and save money.

By Jim Siffring, Atlas Copco Construction Equipment
Power Generation November 5, 2014

Standby generator sets

The 10 to 40 kW diesel generator sets provide emergency power and can withstand extreme weather conditions.

By Cummins Power Generation
Power Generation May 12, 2014

Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles, May 5-11

Were you out last week? Miss something? Here are the Consulting-Specifying Engineer ’s five most-clicked articles from last week, May 5-11, including articles about building energy modeling, selecting arc flash protection techniques, generator rating for data centers, arc flash protection techniques, and incorperating shade control in lighting design strategy.

By Jessica DuBois-Maahs
Power Generation April 15, 2014

Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2014 Product of the Year finalists: Emergency, on-site, standby power

Read about the 4 finalists in the Emergency, On-site, Standby Power category for the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2014 Product of the Year program.

By Chris Vavra
Power Generation June 24, 2013

Engineering systems in manufacturing, industrial buildings: Electrical, power, and lighting systems

Manufacturing and industrial facilities have some unusual engineering requirements, including demanding power requirements.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation May 16, 2013

Meeting electrical infrastructure demands in data centers

A data center’s electrical system requires a robust, reliable infrastructure that far surpasses that of its commercial and industrial facility peers.

By Christopher M. Johnston, PE, Syska Hennessy Group, Atlanta
Power Generation April 24, 2013

Sports, entertainment venues: Electrical and power systems

Sports arenas and entertainment facilities involve complex engineering solutions. Five consulting engineers share details on electrical and power systems.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer
Power Generation February 11, 2013

Updates to 2014 NEC

NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, will next be updated in 2014. Here's a look at what to expect.

By Justin Schultz, PE, LEED AP ID+C, Metro CD Engineering, Dublin, Ohio
Power Generation January 21, 2013

Manufacturers’ focus on data centers: Electrical and power

Designing efficient and effective data centers and mission critical facilities is a top priority for consulting engineers. Three manufacturers share information about their company’s products and solutions.

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer

A Letter From The Editor

Consulting-Specifying Engineer is written and peer reviewed by engineers and industry professionals. These engineers design, specify and commission mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), fire/life safety, lighting and controls systems for nonresidential buildings. Consulting-Specifying Engineer covers codes and standards, smart and high-performance buildings and design specifications in a variety of commercial buildings.

Amara Rozgus - Consulting-Specifying Engineer