Primary feedback from utilities and municipalities was the importance of reducing the total cost of ownership for their gen-sets, according to Aitzaz Ahsan, product management leader for Cummins Inc. This included the initial product cost as well as expenses for installation, transportation, service and maintenance throughout the product’s life cycle. “The differentiator here is the smaller package size, which delivers all of these things which are already being delivered by a bigger gen-set, but we’re just doing it in a much smaller way – in a smaller package,” he said.
Ahsan stated that the new gen-set is about 28% smaller in terms of footprint compared to other gen-sets in this power range within the industry. The S17 offers up to 1000kW of Emergency Standby Power (ESP), but is offered in multiple different configurations from 600 ESP up to 1000 ESP.
The new engine was designed with the idea of lowering maintenance costs. Its smaller engine uses fewer parts, less fluid, oil and coolant. The product also has a three-year service life cycle which reduces the frequency of preventative maintenance and associated costs.
Integrating into the water sector
Ahsan noted that one of the major industry trends is the demand for more power from a smaller footprint. This is particularly prevalent in older facilities and pump stations with limited space. While occupying a 28% smaller footprint than its competitors, the new engine is also 59% more power-dense than competitors in the same power range, according to Ahsan.
The new gen-set features an advanced PowerCommand controller that allows for seamless integration with existing systems, including transfer switches, switchgear and building management systems. Ahsan stated that it has gone through roughly 25,000 hours of endurance testing to ensure reliability, which is crucial for mission-critical applications.
The gen-set’s transient performance (ISO 8528-5 G3) allows it to quickly accept and respond to variable loads, ensuring stable power supply for critical equipment like pumps and motors. It is also capable of meeting NFPA 110 Type 10 for Level 1 Emergency or Standy Power Supply Systems (EPSSs) as well as seismic certification.
“You have a bunch of variable loads,” Ahsan said. "You have motors, you have pumps and stuff like that, which needs fast response from the backup system if there is a power failure.”
