The combination of PV and Diesel generators offers all the
advantages of the respective systems while eliminating
their possible weaknesses: Solar electricity is comparatively
cheap and creates almost no maintenance costs. Yet, its
availability is limited to the daytime (as long as no storage
devices are implemented). Diesel generators offer power
all around the clock, but inevitably drive costs up.
However, the key to tapping the enormous potential of
hybrid solutions is an advanced intelligent management
of the power sources involved: The KACO FuelSave operates
on an intelligent control unit which ensures that as
much PV-energy as possible is used and still keeps the genset
in its optimum working range. In this manner, KACO
FuelSave offers all the benefits of a hybrid system:
Lower fuel costs
While fuel costs are rising continuously, we don’t have to
pay for sunlight and we will never run out of it. Using solar
power to generate electricity liberates you from the threat
of rising fuel costs.
Beneficial for health and environment
The combination of a fuel driven genset and a PV system
significantly lowers emissions of airpollutants and noise
thus improving the direct environment of the citizens in
its vicinity.
Substituting Diesel generated electricity with PV is profitable
today! The remarkable development of new production
processes and considerable efficiency improvements
of PV technology have driven down electricity generation
costs below the level of the Diesel already. And this cost
gap is most certain to increase in the near future. Have
a look at the recent price decreases: in the year 2000 a
“solar kWh“ would have cost ca. 1$. Nowadays, electricity
from the sun is generated for less than 0.15 $ / kWh.
And, depending on various factors such as the size of the
PV Generator or the local irradiation, in sun belt countries
the costs of “solar electricity“ can be even lower than this.
Electricity generation costs based on Diesel take the opposite
direction: think of rising costs for explorating, recovering
and refinig oil as well as transporting it to the
target markets.
With the KACO FuelSave solution payback periods of 3 to
5 years are common. Diesel savings of 25% and more can
be achieved or, depending on application and daily load
curves, even exceeded: a return on invest (ROI) of > 200%
over 10 years is likely to be expected. On top, 2.5 tons of
CO2 emissions per 100 liter saved fuel will help mitigating
global warming.
Off-grid systems such as a PV and Diesel hybrid, are characterized
by the generators and the consumer profiles which
differ in terms of time. Assuring supply means adjusting
these profiles to each other. The FuelSave system consists
of the Diesel generator and the PV generator complete
with modules and mounting system, the power electronics
(inverter) and the intelligence needed to coordinate the
components of the system.
Measuring points continuously register all voltage and current
data that form the basis on which the Diesel PV ratio
is optimized.
The controller receives the data from these measuring
points and makes sure that a maximum PV amount is implemented
at any given time without slowing down the
Diesel performance.
The FuelSave design is the apt solution for many different
applications. Wherever Diesel generators represent
the main power supply, KACO FuelSave will help you to
reduce your energy costs. Whether industrial plants, cold
storage houses, sea water desalination plants, irrigation
systems, remote holiday resorts or many others: the fuel
save can serve individual needs.
