I work in a large computer data center, nearly football field sized. Takes a few Megawatts of power to keep the thing going. A few days ago, there were some major power issues, so they switched over to the generators. I don't know the specs on them, but there are FIVE very large diesel generators. There are 3 running right now, which is apparently sufficient to handle the load.

I was chatting with the diesel techs who were doing some maintenance while I was there recently, changing fuel filters and whatnot. These three generators are consuming fuel at the rate of ~115 gallons per hour. There are two 10,000 gallon tanks. 20,000 gallons is just enough to last a full week (7.2 days). STILL trying to get the electrical problems sorted out, so in the mean time, everything has been running off the generators.

20,000 gallons every 7 days. Amazing. I wonder how that fuel bill compares to the multi Megawatt electric bill?

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

I have a single cylinder "Lister" diesel that puts out about 2KW into my 6 circuit transfer switch and runs for +- 6 hours on a gallon of fuel, your need may be for more KWs

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

We have a similar setup here - 5 V12 Cat 2000 HP Diesels. I need to sneak in there and take a few pictures of them.

I would hazard a guess that it costs a lot more to run on generator power than on the grid. Else, everyone would provide their own power...

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

When I worked for the software company, we had a serious sized diesel generator but we did not have the capacity to run EVERYTHING! In each office there were the regular power outlets plus a quad of ORANGE outlets for computer equipment. These were backed up by the generator. The machines containing our source code had double redundancy UPS plus the generator backup.

As far as fuel consumption, I never knew. Commercial power was reliable enough that I can't recall that we ever used the generator.

Yep, your right. I just asked around. Turns out the electric bill is about $90,000 per month, while 1 month of diesel is $200,000.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

And what would one DAY of down time cost the data center, both for the hard cost of loss of computer services for those you support, and the softer "loss of trust" issues for those that you are supporting?

One day down could destroy some businesses, I reckon. Run those diesels!

Rgds,
Chris W.

I calculate, by using the 115 gal/hour figure you mentioned, and assuming that those gensets are running at or near full load, that they are rated at ~1800 - 2000 kW each, which is roughly 2500 - 2800 shaft HP.

we have a very large CAT diesel genset at the grocery store, all of the Publix stores are getting them because we need them the instant they are needed and not within two hours that the trailer mounted KOHLER units would arrive.

So far its been good. It starts up every two weeks, runs hard to keep everything in order and clean, then goes back to standby.

If you are burning 115 Gal/hr that means you are using about 1.6 MW-Hr of energy.
Diesel has energy of about 45.4 MJ/Kg with density of 0.846 Kg/L that is 38.4 MJ/L or 145.3 MJ/Gal. That is equvalent of 0.0404 MW-Hr
115 Gal/Hr would be 4.6 MW-Hr. The efficient of diesel engine and alternator is about 35 % so that is (4.6 * 0.35) 1.6 MW-Hr

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2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

Has anyone done it? The reason I ask is that I am toying with the idea of using WVO to power the generator and feed any surplus back to the grid. It does not seem to be easy.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

My friend has a surplus military generator that can be synchronized with mains power but the average home/industrial generator would need an add-on synchronizer and transfer switch to accomplish the same thing.

A quick search on Google reveals that the gear would probably run at least a couple thousand dollars.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

You need a grid tie that grid synchronizes and automatically disconnects from the grid if the grid goes off line. You need this feature so that you do not electrocute linemen working to restore your power. Got a 40 hour course on installing solar panels coming up, be able to speak better to needs in a few weekends. About $5k for the grid tie. Otherwise you can install a manual transfer switch for considerably less, your power will be all genny or all grid. Net metering laws vary by state.

If you're going to drop the big coin on a grid tie, there are large federal and state incentives to use solar, AFAIK, none exist for WVO power. Think 30-75 % of the total cost. Commodity price of solar cells is supposed to be down as well for a number of reasons.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

I used to work in a call center with a big backup generator. Backhoe cut a line, generator didn't start. The starter battery wasn't charged.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

A Cat diesel 16 cyl with twin turbos at full tilt producing 1.5 MW is rated to consume about 75 gal/hr. I have one connected to a data center. The day care however favors the side of the generator and I cringe the day I see 2 -3 toddlers laughing as they are "velcroed" to the inlet grille after the diesel starts...

This is not an enconomical venture of operating diesel vs grid prices, as stated previously.

Running a diesel gen set can be operated and electrical power fed back into the grid, It acually is the law under the PURPA laws. This needs to be a very well engineered system, with the proper phasing and protection. All under the approval of the local utility requirements.
There is a local landfill which has been operating several methane gen sets for about 20 years.
Biggest problem is getting the air permits to operate the gen set in more than an emergency mode, Of course that depends as to where located. NJ is not friendly. To test run the genset in this state, one needs to check the state EPA site so the air quality in the state is OK, and then you can operate the genset in test/maint mode. No limitations for emergencies.

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Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW

We have around 7MW of generators here at BC Children's Hospital. I maintain them as part of my job. We use a consumption figure of 6gal/hr/100KW for fuel. It costs us 8-10 times as much to supply power from the Generators as from the grid but we have cheap Electricity here in BC , mostly Hydro generated. We have a "baby" Cummins trailer mounted unit of 240KW just for our Steam plant. It can start and transfer power in 4 seconds. Cheers Dan

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It's always something simple
91 300D 603.960 (from japan) 194K
92 Toyota Diesel Landcruiser HDJ81-t 116K
02 Golf TDI new head courtesy of PO
87 300D
97 BMW 525 TDS Wagon 5spd
bunch of Onan and other diesel generators

Used to run a small Tactical Mobile Comm Center. We used an COTS (Commercial Off The shelf) Onan generator set. It was pretty small. 115/220 @ 60A. It was a very reliable unit. Used to run it on Diesel Fuel or JP, what ever was available.

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59