U.K. company develops biodiesel generator

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United Kingdom-based JS Power Ltd. is offering electrical generators for emergency, standby and stand-alone applications fueled by B100. The Eco-Gen Bio Diesel Generators are available in 14 models with capacities ranging from an 8 kilowatt, single-phase unit that would power a household during power outages up to industrial-sized, 400 kilowatt, three-phase units for stand-alone or backup power.

One of the first to offer a 100 percent biodiesel compatible generator, JS Power is pleased with the generators' performance. Fuel consumption is comparable or slightly better than with a traditional diesel system, according to sales manager Lewis Sharman. "Emissions are significantly reduced over diesel, with a major benefit of biodiesel being the lack of impact to the environment in the event of spillage."

The generators came on the market in the United Kingdom last fall after 18 months in development. Sharman explained the major issue to be worked out with engine manufacturers was biodiesel fuel's aggressive nature toward natural rubber components. The engine didn't need modification, but rather the fuel lines, fuel pumps and injectors. The company has also reduced the cost to "very closely match diesel counterparts," he said.

The units have heavy-duty, multi-cycle biodiesel engines that are water-cooled, with direct injection fuel systems, brushless alternators, starter batteries, automatic controls and exhaust silencers. Automatic models have a jacket water heater. The complete generating set is mounted on a heavy-duty steel frame with anti-vibration pads and an integral fuel tank. Acoustic enclosures are also available for sound reduction. Eco-Gen generators are available in uninterruptible power supply packages to suit a single piece of equipment or a full office building, in single-phase or three-phase models.

U.K. businesses can use the biodiesel generators to fulfill government green power requirements. "It's an easy technology for a company that wants to go green without learning about wind energy or other technologies," Sharman said. The generators function as a backup power supply, running often enough to meet a company's green requirements each year. JS Power also sells a line of biodiesel processors scaled from 80 liters (about 21 gallons) up to 2,000 liters (about 525 gallons) per batch.

The company is talking with potential U.S. distributors for Eco-Gen Bio Diesel Generators. Eco-Gen generators can be adjusted for either the 50 hertz frequency used in the United Kingdom or the 60 hertz frequency used in the United States, according to Sharman. For more information, visit www.jspower.co.uk.