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Don’t Get Left in the Dark: Revolutionize Your Backup Power with Remote Monitoring

Take a moment and imagine that a major power outage has just hit your city. While your competitors scramble around in the dark, your business remains brightly lit and fully operational. Why? Because you had the foresight of installing a …

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Emergency Power Codes: Insights and Expert Guidance

In the intricate world of building codes and standards, staying ahead is not just a matter of compliance, it’s a commitment to safety and foresight. If you’ve had the task of interpreting code and standards, you know that it can …

The Role of AESO and the Operating Reserve Program

Harnessing Alberta’s Energy Future: The Role of AESO and the Operating Reserve Program Alberta’s electricity market is a dynamic landscape that requires balancing supply and demand with precision and foresight. At the heart of this system is the Alberta Electric …

How Demand Response Supports Grid Reliability

On January 13th, I was sitting with my extended family watching the Hockey game. We celebrated every shot on goal for our team, and shrieked every time the other team almost scored. However, close to the end of the game …

The Importance of Backup Power Generation: Safeguarding Your Business Amidst the Fragile US Electrical Grid

Reliable electricity is the lifeblood of our entire society! Without electricity, we would not be able to grow, transport, or store food; heat or cool our homes; transact business; secure our country, and the list goes on! However, the stability of …

Why Every Microgrid Should Contain a Natural Gas Generator: A Sustainable Solution for Uninterrupted Power Supply

A microgrid is a localized group of electricity sources and loads that can operate independently of the traditional centralized power grid.

Microgrids can include a variety of different power sources including renewable energy resources.

Typically, a microgrid consists of several essential components some of which are listed below:

Energy generation resources like; solar panels, wind turbines, fuel cells, D-UPS, diesel generator, or natural gas generators.

An battery energy storage system, BESS, to store excess energy and provide power when the solar and wind cannot.

A load (typically the group of electricity consumers on the microgrid).

A microgrid controller that controls and optimizes the generation, consumption, and storage of energy.

A controller and switching system that enables the microgrid to switch between operating in utility-connected or island mode.

An advanced communication system that enables the coordination and optimization of the microgrid’s elements.

A CASE FOR METHANE FUELED ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION: PART 4 – POWER DENSITY

In Part 1 of this series we discussed greenhouse gas emissions, how they are applicable to methane and other energy sources including solar PV and batteries, and why the responsible use of methane must be considered as a viable energy source for the production of electricity.

In Part 2 of this series we took a look at energy return on energy invested, EROEI, for various energy sources and showed how methane had a much higher EROEI than many fuels including approximately three times that of solar PV.

In Part 3 of this series we examined the flexibility of methane as a fuel in comparison to hydrogen. Specifically we looked at; ease of access, affordability, safety, and transportability. Methane has advantages over hydrogen in every category.

In Part 4 of this series we will focus on power density and why this is a critical consideration for microgrids or any power system.

A CASE FOR METHANE FUELED ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION: PART 3 – FLEXIBILITY

In Part 1 of this series we discussed greenhouse gas emissions, how they are applicable to methane and other energy sources including solar PV and batteries, and why the responsible use of methane must be considered as a viable energy source for the production of electricity.

In Part 2 of this series we took a look at energy return on energy invested, EROEI, for various energy sources and showed how methane had a much higher EROEI than many fuels including approximately three times that of solar PV. This led us to conclude that EROEI must be a heavily weighted factor when calculating the economics of power generation system.

In Part 3 of this series we will focus on the flexibility of methane as a fuel source compared to hydrogen.

A CASE FOR METHANE FUELED ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION: PART 2 – All ENERGY TAKES ENERGY TO PRODUCE ENERGY!

In Part 1 of this series we discussed greenhouse gas emissions, how they are applicable to methane and other energy sources including solar PV and batteries, and why the responsible use of methane must be considered as a viable energy source for …

Fuel Blending in CHP Systems: Reducing Emissions and Boosting Efficiency

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of fuel blending and provide insights from experts at Collicutt Energy Services on implementing this process in CHP systems. Fuel blending is a highly effective method for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, maintaining high generator output, and increasing overall efficiency in combined heat and power (CHP) generators.

What is HVO and Why Should You Care?

As the world seeks to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, the choice of fuel plays a crucial role in achieving these goals. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional diesel fuel. According …

A Case for Methane Fueled Electrical Power Generation: Part 1 – GHG Emissions

Almost everyone has heard of methane. It is one of the most sought after and utilized hydrocarbons on the planet. Its simple molecular structure, CH4, means that, when used responsibly, it can provide more power with less pollutants than many …

Economic Synergies Between Stranded Natural Gas and Cryptocurrency Mining

What is Stranded Gas? Stranded gas is natural gas that is located in a remote location where there is no existing infrastructure to transport the gas to a market. In many cases, stranded gas is either vented or flared, which …

Challenges of Green Power Microgrids

The transition to green power sources such as solar and wind energy is becoming increasingly important as the world works to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, the integration of green power …

Microgrid Control Systems

What is a Microgrid? A microgrid is a localized group of electricity sources and loads that can operate independently of the traditional centralized power grid. They can include a variety of different power sources and can even integrate renewable energy …

Post-Secondary Institution Project

Background Red Deer Polytechnic is a post-secondary institution located in Red Deer, Alberta that has been in operation since 1964. Red Deer Polytechnic installed a 1MW CHP to reduce their utility costs, while reducing their carbon footprint as well.   …

California Faces Multiple Increased Risks for Power Outages

The state of California is known to be near, if not at the top of the list when it comes to most power outages in the United States. The most common causes of California power outages are related to extreme …

Top Power Generation Solutions Provider 2022

We are excited to share that earlier this month, Energy Tech Review awarded Collicutt their “Top Power Generation Solutions Provider 2022” award!    With this, Collicutt was asked to interview with Energy Tech Review magazine to share our capabilities and …

Successfully Overcoming Project Disaster

The Challenge In 2019, Collicutt was approached by one of our clients who had just won the electrical design and build contract for a new residential high rise to be built in downtown Los Angeles. Part of that contract included …

Collicutt Becomes Alberta’s Distributor for MTU/Rolls-Royce Onsite Energy for Diesel Generators

Collicutt Energy Services Becomes Alberta’s Distributor of MTU/Rolls-Royce Onsite Energy for Diesel Generators Collicutt Energy Services is proud to announce that as of January 1, 2022, we are Alberta’s distributor for MTU/Rolls-Royce Onsite Energy for diesel power generation. This partnership …

New Towable Generator Product Line

Collicutt recently published an article in the BOE Report to announce a new product line of towable generators! We are very excited about this announcement as these units were produced in-house! The first production of these generators was for two …

Collicutt’s Focus Is Problem Solving

Collicutt was recently featured in the November issue of Resource in Focus Magazine! “As a leading manufacturer of custom power generation equipment, Collicutt Energy’s highly trained and experienced team designs, engineers, and manufactures power solutions, while also working to continually …

Power Generation Solution Provider

Our world is filled with marketing buzz words that mean different things to every person. So, when Collicutt says we are a power generator solution provider, what does this really mean and why should you care? Solution Provider Definition The …

Supply Chain Disruptions

Most of us are aware that commodity pricing and supply chain issues have been very problematic for the last 8 to 12 months. There are many reasons for this, some of which can be blamed on the pandemic and the …

How to Properly Design and Size A Generator

Introduction Specifying and sizing a generator for your project can be an overwhelming task . . . but it doesn’t have to be! Collicutt and MTU have a great tool available to assist with this task and simplify it as …

Do You Need a Generator Specification? Let Our Software Do the Work For You!

Many of Collicutt’s long time customers are engineering firms. One of the things these engineering firms need for each project is a prepared set of bid packages for each major scope of work on that project. These bid packages will …

Customized Rental Solution!

One of our customers in Beverly Hills was doing a major office renovation and they required temporary electric power for the duration of the work. This seemed like a simple enough request for our rental group to handle but there …

Data Center Expansion

One of our data center customers in southern California had recently been experiencing an increase in demand so they began expanding their center’s capacity. As the number of data servers increased, their requirement for emergency back up power was also …

Collicutt Energy Services Expands its Territory as Alberta’s Distributor for MTU/Rolls Royce Power Systems

Collicutt Energy Services Expands its Territory as Alberta’s Distributor for MTU/Rolls Royce Power Systems Collicutt Energy Services has signed an agreement with MTU/Rolls Royce Power Systems to expand its territory to distribute MTU systems and product lines in Alberta starting …

Emergency Power for a High Rise

A few years ago a customer approached us with a project that they were about to take on in Southern California. They were looking at building a 600 unit, residential high rise apartment complex complete with some major retail stores …

Emergency Power Solution for a Television Network Expansion!

A television network in Southern California was recently renovating and expanding their facility. As part of this expansion, they required an emergency power generation system. As most people know, California has a very unstable power grid so most businesses need …

Monitor Your Power Generation Equipment in the “Cloud”!

One of the big takeaways from the unprecedented events of this last year is the requirement to work remotely, often with limited access to our facilities. This can pose major challenges when our power generation equipment is onsite and our operations and maintenance teams are working from home!

Your Turbocharger is More Important Than You Think!

Did you know that the turbocharger on your generator’s engine does a whole lot more than just allow the engine to develop more power?

What is a D-UPS and Why Should You Care?

D-UPS stands for Dynamic Uninterruptible Power Supply. It can also be referred to as a dynamic rotary uninterruptible power supply (DRUPS) or as a flywheel energy storage power system. So what is it and what does it do? Many data …

Collicutt Energy Announces New Gold Power Generation Solution Provider Agreement with INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines!

As most people in the business know, Collicutt Energy has always been a top tier Waukesha service provider and a leader in the Waukesha rebuild market providing top quality products globally in the power generation and oil and gas industries. …

Onsite Power Generation – How much does it cost?

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN MOST LIKELY GENERATE POWER ONSITE CHEAPER THAN TAKING POWER FROM THE GRID? That’s right! Using reciprocating engines and cheap, clean natural gas, you can generate clean, reliable power onsite, HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? …

How to Implement a Fuel Blending System

Air quality management districts, AQMDs, are continually updating their standards for reciprocating engines and the resulting emissions. Although the changes are made with the best intentions (e.g., reducing airborne pollutants), these changing standards often impose large technical challenges and require …

The Importance of Load Bank Testing

How do you know your emergency generator will work when the power grid fails? You have invested all this money in a back up generator but what assurance do you have that it will work when you need it most? …

Avoid DPF Failure with These Easy Steps

A Diesel Particulate Filter, or DPF for short, is a special filter on the exhaust system of a diesel standby generator. This filter removes particulates from the exhaust of a diesel engine and entraps them so that they do not …

What is ISO-8528-1 and How Does It Impact You?

ISO-8528-1 is the International Standard Organization’s standard for “reciprocating internal combustion engine driven alternating current generating sets.” Now that is a mouthful! More simply stated, ISO-8528-1 is an internationally recognized standard for engine powered generators. So why should you care …

Don’t Make This Mistake When Buying Your Power Generator!

In today’s world of infinite features, gadgets, and widgets it can be difficult for a consumer to cut through the noise and truly differentiate products! It seems that the more expensive the product, the tougher this differentiation becomes! As the …

The #1 Reason Your Generator Will Fail

As we discussed in a previous post, the most common cause of emergency generator failure is battery issues! Your emergency generator relies on electric power to start. This electric power is supplied by the generator’s battery. If the battery has …

How a Pre-Lube System Can Save You $500,000

Most people know that one of the quickest ways to destroy an engine is to run it without oil. An even faster way to destroy your engine is to ramp it up to full load in ten seconds or less …

Preserving an Engine

Preserving an Engine Have you considered the affects of not preserving your equipment before putting it into long term storage?  Or “Parking it along the fence?” as so many people refer to it.  How many of you have started up …

What is an ATS and Why Should You Care

Did you know that your emergency power system has one crucial point of failure that is completely independent of your emergency generator? If this component fails, your generator will not even know it needs to start! This single point of …

Top 6 Reasons Why Your Emergency Generator Will Fail to Start

Let’s face it, power outages are not only an inconvenience for the average person, they can be very costly for a business and even deadly for care facilities and hospitals. That is why homeowners, businesses, apartment complexes, hospitals, colleges, and …

Reliability in Power

This episode delves into the the topic of reliability in power

The first topic we cover is reliability in power generation; how are we ensuring that we have sufficient supply of power

The second topic we cover is reliability in power transmission

Power Markets

Power Markets This is the fourth episode in this series called ‘Understanding Power’. This episode’s topic is all about understanding the cost of your utility bills. after evaluating your utility bill, it quickly becomes clear that there are two major …

S2:E3 – How is Electricity Generated?

This is the third episode in our series titled ‘Understanding Power’ This episode delves into the different mechanisms and methods for generating electricity. The first thing we discuss is how kinetic energy is turned into electrical energy using a generator. …

S2:E2 – Different forms of Energy

Energy comes in different forms and one of the main ways that we use energy is for heat. Whether that is for cooking, or transportation or even power generation (we’ll get into that in episode 3 of this series) This …

S2:E1 – Energy Vs Power

Have you ever wondered how power and energy work? This series is an introductory and educational series into #UnderstandingPower Today’s episode is all about Energy vs Power: How are they related and how are they different. Global Energy Consumption: Did …

Siemens SGE-100EM 2MW Engine

Siemens SGE-100EM Natural Gas Engine. The best-in-class solution. Robust, compact design provides more relief for long-lasting performance.

S1:E3 – Remote Power

Problem 3: Remote power We are continuing in our series on three main problems with the way we do power This is part three: remote power Did you know that in Canada 200,000 people are disconnected from the electrical grid …

Grid Limitations

Grid Limitations Series: Three Main Problems With the Way We Do Power We’re continuing in our power generation series. And today we’re talking about Problem #2, which is ‘Grid limitations’. So what are some of the limitations of our power …

S1:E1 – Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency In many jurisdictions, power is predominantly generated using thermal power generation systems powered by coal, oil, and natural gas. These large centralized power generation plants have no use for the waste heat being produced and as a result …

Greenhouse Growers, Licensed Producers

Overview Greenhouses and grow rooms play a critical role in a growers ability to complete year-round growing and control the quality of product produced. This is achieved by creating and maintaining ideal climate conditions: CHP Synergies Combined Heat and Power …

Upstream Oil and Gas

Overview Western Canada is home to one of the world’s largest petroleum reserves: In recent years, depressed commodity prices and ever increasing utility costs have eaten into producers’ bottom line. With costs exceeding selling prices, many of these operators have …

Recreation Centre

BACKGROUND The recreation centre, situated in Red Deer, AB, is a 250,000 ft2 leisure and wellness centre that has been in operation since 2001. Due to high utility costs and a desire to lower the building’s carbon footprint, an investigation …

The Collicutt Centre

BACKGROUND The Collicutt Centre, situated in Red Deer, AB, is a 250,000 ft2 leisure and wellness centre that has been in operation since 2001. Due to high utility costs and a desire to lower the building’s carbon footprint, an investigation into …

Up-to-date Resources

Below you will find our expanding website resources.

Design & Size Your Generator

Learn how to properly design and size your generator with Collicutt and MTU’s great tool: Power System Sizing and Specification (PSSPEC). 

Access our FREE PSSPEC webinar by filling out the form to the right. 

Read these related articles to learn more: 

How to Properly Design and Size A Generator

Do You Need a Generator Specification? Let Our Software Do the Work For You!

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