There are several factors to consider while selecting mobile power equipment for construction and oil and gas applications. Mobile generators are vital to construction activity, and therefore, the quality of the machines should be the priority along with the right generator sizing, physical size and ease of transportation.
Akram Tamari, regional general manager, Atlas Copco Rental Middle East & India, says: “The selection of mobile generators should be done on a case-by-case basis depending on the required wattage. Operating costs should dominate the decision-making process. Fuel could easily constitutes 85% of the total rental cost, and it could be tricky to manage the fuel consumption of rental machines. Here’s where Atlas Copco machines stand out with their unique fuel efficiency features.”
All these criteria apply to oil and gas projects as well, but they also need to fulfil additional demands such as enhanced safety features, control systems, and redundancy. As oil and gas contractors demand environment friendly power generation solutions in line with their sustainability goals, fuel consumption has become another crucial factor. This has created a need for more power saving, redundant systems.
Atlas Copco has several ongoing off-shore and on-shore projects that require temporary power generation. The company’s rental division has supplied the Atlas Copco TwinPower (1.5 MW) generator to an international oil and gas contractor for one year to operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which are being used extensively for drilling and subsea construction support in deep-water exploration and development projects worldwide.
Akram elaborates on Atlas Copco’s recent product development milestones in response to changing customer requirements.
“Atlas Copco is committed to continual product development and innovation. We offer versatile, robust and compact generators that are engineered and tested to deliver the highest levels of performance, and reliability. To improve the stability of our generators, for example, we have equipped them with a permanent magnet generator (PMG) excitation system which provides high short-circuit capability of 300% rated current for 5–10 seconds,” says Akram.
Atlas Copco is the first global generator manufacturer to address market needs for modular energy storage. The Atlas Copco ZenergiZe range of battery energy storage systems can be used as a standalone solution or combined with generators to create a hybrid power solution.
“By using high-density lithium-ion batteries, these systems are able to achieve zero CO2 emissions, zero noise, and have virtually zero maintenance needs, thus enabling operators to minimize environmental impact while benefiting from a low cost of ownership,” he says.
Atlas Copco has also introduced tools to help customers choose the right power generators for their needs. For example, Atlas Copco’s ‘Light The Power’ mobile app is a power and light calculator to help users with different technical requirements to choose the best Atlas Copco solution for their needs. It includes generators and light towers sizing, simulation of modular power plants, cables sizing and estimation of noise levels.
With increase in awareness about carbon neutrality and demand for alternative energy, Atlas Copco is introducing hydrogen-powered generators to its fleet.
“In power generation, the hydrogen fuel cell is one of the leading options for storing renewable energy. Fuel cells have the potential to replace the internal-combustion engine in vehicles and provide power in stationary and portable power applications because they are energy-efficient, clean, and fuel-flexible. Green hydrogen is one of the hottest topics of discussion in the energy industry. In the Middle East, we have seen several promising political decisions regarding the intended acceleration of major nations towards a carbon-free energy reality,” says Akram.
“We focus on delivering the technology and services that can enable our customers to focus entirely on their core businesses. That’s why customers prefer Atlas Copco machines for their reliability, quiet operation, easy of transportation and installation, fuel efficiency and low total cost of ownership,” he adds.