Distributed Power Systems

Distributed electrical generation (onsite generation) is becoming a more significant part of the overall energy industry. Ranging from small, gasoline-powered home back-up generators to large natural-gas-powered systems for remote or critical installations, distributed generation is:

• the most practical way to deliver power to remote regions not economically serviced by the transmission grid;
• a cost-effective and secure way to deliver power (or backup power) to sites that require high availability, such as hospitals and
• often a way to reduce power costs for large users.

Spark-ignited internal combustion engines are used for many distributed power-generating systems. Starting in 2007, these generators must meet stringent emissions standards.

The U.S. Energy Department has an initiative to improve the efficiency and reduce the emissions of natural-gas-powered reciprocating engines. Exhaust emissions are regulated as of 2007 and efficiency is to be increased by 20 percent by 2010. New engines will be required to cost-effectively meet these regulations.

In recent tests in the US and Japan KSI demonstrated:

• potential for reduced cost of operation,
• increased efficiency,
• ability to eliminate the need for dual fuel operation in large lean burn natural gas systems.