Tag Archive for: Genesal Energy

We are committed to the HYDROGENSET concept

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The production and storage of green hydrogen for use as fuel opens up new possibilities for sustainable energy generation with zero impact.

In order to better understand the HYDROGENSET concept, it is important to first understand how hydrogen functions as an energy carrier.

Hydrogen is the simplest and lightest element in the periodic table. Hydrogen atoms consist of one proton and one electron, and under normal conditions it is a stable gas of diatomic molecules (H2). It is one of the most abundant elements on Earth and throughout the universe, but it usually exists in combination with other elements: with oxygen as water molecules, or with carbon as organic compounds. It is not a fuel which exists in nature ready for use, rather it is an energy carrier like electricity. It needs to be generated somehow.

There are various methods of producing hydrogen, all of which are based on different feedstocks and energy sources and use different processes. Depending on the feedstock and energy source used to produce the H2, it may be 100% renewable, 100% fossil fuel, or a hybrid H2 with a certain percentage of each.

Hydrogen can be produced in large, centralised facilities or in small, distributed units located close to the point of final consumption. This means that hydrogen can be produced anywhere on the planet, even in remote areas.

A kilogram of hydrogen contains more energy than a kilogram of other fuels (and almost three times as much as petrol or natural gas), and no carbon dioxide is emitted in the process of releasing that energy, only water vapour, so the environmental impact is zero.

Just as there are various methods of generating hydrogen, different energy recovery systems also exist; this is where the HYDROGENSET concept comes into play. The term covers any method of energy generation which uses hydrogen, in any of its forms or states, as a fuel:

  • Combustion in gaseous form in engines, either by blending with other fuels or even using 100% H2.
  • Fuel cells that use a chemical process in which H2 and O2 (air) are introduced to form water vapour, and an electric current is generated by the exchange of electrons and protons across the membrane between the substances.
  • The use of ammonia to power retrofitted internal combustion engines, dual fuel engines, or new engines designed to run on ammonia.
  • The use of methanol for large machines with internal combustion engines, including dual fuel engines, which offer greater versatility as they can be powered by traditional fuels if necessary.

New photovoltaic roof

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We cannot put an end to the CO2 emissions of the entire planet, but we can do everything we can to limit emissions in our facilities. We have installed 126 photovoltaic panels on the roof of our headquarters in Bergondo, A Coruña.

The work is part of the first phase of our OGGY energy management project, and during phase 2 we will continue with the installation of photovoltaic facades. With a total power rating of 57.33kW, the 126 panels are key to our sustainability efforts: they will reduce our CO2 emissions by more than 20 tonnes per year.

Integration with the OGGY system is through MODBUS communication, which is essential in order for the system to be able to properly manage both the generation and consumption points and use the battery storage module to ensure a highly efficient energy supply to all our facilities.

We would like to thank Avanza for processing the subsidies, installing the panels and launching the system. We are making steady progress with our energy transition plan, little by little and step by step.

Installation of photovoltaic façades at our facilities

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In keeping with our commitment to sustainability and the goals laid out in the 2030 Agenda, we have begun installation of two photovoltaic facades at our headquarters in Bergondo. The project will stimulate innovation and will have a contribute directly to our pursuit of 6 of the 17 SDGs.

The initiative is part of the OGGY project, our roadmap to energy self-sufficiency. This ambitious project consists of 93 photovoltaic glass panels with eight different modulations to match the facades’ design. The total power rating will be 13.1 kW, allowing us to generate 11,000 kWh per year. The benefits of the new facades are clear:

  • The project will result in an increase in energy efficiency of up to 30%.
  • The facades will help us become energy self-sufficient, in line with EU goals; for years European legislation has sought to encourage self-consumption and the use of renewable energy.
  • Photovoltaic façades reduce cooling requirements by up to 50% compared to standard façades, which means less need for air conditioning in buildings.
  • The building-integrated photovoltaics we have chosen are ideal for increasing the comfort of workers and visitors, as they filter harmful solar radiation without obstructing the passage of natural light.
  • The facade will enable us to reduce our GHG emissions and thus our corporate carbon footprint.

When it comes to sustainability, we set the standard!

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The University of Santiago de Compostela and Genesal Energy have created the first Faculty of Energy Transition in Galicia.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, and because we believe that caring for the environment is a collective responsibility, Genesal Energy is going back to school; we have teamed up with the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) to create the first Faculty of Energy Transition in Galicia.

The inauguration was held in the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) rector’s hall at San Xerome College and presided over by Antonio López, the rector of the university, and Julio Arca, our Director of Finance and Strategy.

At the event, the rector stressed that science “is crucial to the energy transition and to energy sovereignty” and expressed his conviction that the new faculty “represents a step forward, as it strengthens the ties between universities and industry”. The head of Finance and Strategy at Genesal Energy emphasised the importance of committing to clean energy and to solutions that help us move forward with the energy transition. “The energy transition is fundamental to our efforts to fight climate change. Transport, industry and electricity generation account for 60% of greenhouse gas emissions, and the electricity sector has the greatest potential for emissions reduction”, Julio Arca noted in his speech. The event was also attended by Gumersindo Feijoo Costa, Vice-Rector of Planning, Technologies and Sustainability at USC; Montserrat Valcárcel Armesto, Vice-Rector of Campus Coordination at the Lugo Campus; Enrique Roca Bordello, the new Faculty Director; Marcela Fernández, head of Genesal Energy’s R&D&I Management Unit; Paula Avendaño, our head of Marketing and Communication, and Marta Blanco, the company’s legal adviser.

What is energy transition and why have we created a specialised faculty?

The energy transition is the process of transformation, or the set of changes which must be implemented, in order to make the switch from our current fossil-fuel based models of energy production, distribution and consumption to more sustainable models based on the use of renewable energy, electrification and distributed generation. Alternative fuels, digitalisation, energy efficiency and a circular economy are key to this.

When it comes to knowledge management and its application in society, we believe collaboration between public bodies and private enterprise is essential. The creation of the Faculty of Energy Transition will allow us to further develop our collaboration with the university and strengthen the relationship between universities and the energy industry at a crucial time, when the ecological transition as a whole – and by extension the energy transition – is becoming increasingly important due to the key role it must play if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to research and education.

Where are its offices?

The offices of the Faculty of Energy Transition are located in the School of Engineering (ETSE) at USC (the Engineering and Management of Sustainable Processes and Products Research Group) and in our Distributed Energy Technology Centre (CETED) at the company’s headquarters in Bergondo (A Coruña).

What are its goals?

Research, support for teaching and the diffusion of knowledge related to the field of energy transition, particularly in areas concerned with distributed energy systems, are the principal goals of the faculty. It will also:

  • Promote the development of R&D&I projects and encourage participation in these.
  • Develop distributed energy grid systems based on zero-emission fuels.
  • Organise activities which stimulate reflection and debate in the field of energy transition, promoting its incorporation into bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in disciplines related to the faculty’s mission.
  • Promote ideas competitions and the creation of awards for projects and undergraduate and master’s degree theses.
  • Create student internships at Genesal Energy, with and without university credit.
  • Organise specialisation courses, conferences, seminars, meetings with experts, and visits to organisations, companies and institutions related to the faculty’s mission.
  • Support USC graduates in their search for employment by participating in faculty activities where appropriate.

The Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition advocates for women in the energy industry

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This morning seven women with positions of responsibility in the energy industry opened the first Seminar on Women in STEM and the Energy Transition: Accelerating Progress towards Sustainability, held at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) School of Engineering and organised by the Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition.

At the seminar opening Enrique Roca, the faculty director, spoke about the importance of increasing the visibility of women engineers and professionals in STEM fields in order to promote parity, which remains a long way away; according to experts, women in STEM will finally achieve parity in 2050. The director pointed out that today only 29% of women in the energy industry, and in STEM fields in general, hold positions of responsibility.

Rocío Vega Martínez, from the Digitalisation Department at Reganosa; Beatriz Mato Otero, Director of Corporate Development and Sustainability at Greenalia; María Landeira Suárez, Naturgy’s Delegate for Renewable Development in Galicia; Ángeles López Agüera, university professor representing the Energy Sustainable Applications Group; Ángeles Santos Casal, HR Director at Genesal Energy; Rebeca Acebrón San Miguel, CEO of Acebrón Group, and Marta Gómez Palenque, the Government of Castilla-La Mancha’s Head of Circular Economy all spoke at the seminar, which addressed issues related to the energy transition and the future of renewables in an industry that is committed to leaving fossil fuels behind.

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The seminar was held at the offices of the Faculty of Energy Transition in the School of Engineering (ETSE), and marked the beginning of its calendar of academic events.

The Faculty of Energy Transition is an initiative of the A Coruña-based company Genesal Energy in collaboration with USC. It was created in December of last year, and its goals include promoting collaboration between public bodies and private enterprise, increasing education and employment opportunities, and raising awareness about energy transition and more sustainable energy models.

Women in STEM to present the first seminar organised by the Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition

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The “Women in STEM and the Energy Transition: Accelerating Progress Towards Sustainability” seminar will bring together eight prominent energy industry professionals in an all-female programme on May 4th at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC).

The conference will address issues such as talent development, the challenge the energy transition represents for the industry, and the job opportunities that will arise as a result.

Bergondo (A Coruña), April 25th. A number of scientists, directors, engineers and researchers will speak at the first seminar organised by the Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition, ‘Women in STEM and the Energy Transition: Accelerating Progress towards Sustainability’, to be held on May 4th at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC).

This is the first academic event organised by the Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition, created in December of last year by the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and Genesal Energy. It is hoped that the seminar, the only one of its kind in Galicia, will become a regular event.

“Our vision is for the Faculty of Energy Transition seminar to be a bridge between the academic and business worlds, periodically bringing together leading professionals and talented university staff – of which there are plenty – so that they can share their experiences while they discuss and analyse the challenges of the energy transition”, explained Julio Arca, Director of Finance and Strategy at Genesal Energy and one of the organisers of the event.

For its first seminar, the Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition wanted to organise a forum focusing on women in STEM, as their role is increasingly important in a sector that continues to be male dominated, particularly at management level, despite ongoing efforts to address the disparity.

Who, when and where

At the Faculty of Energy Transition event, eight leading professionals with positions of responsibility in the worlds of industry, academia and public administration will share their experiences and discuss issues such as talent development, employment and the challenges of the energy transition.

Andrea Míguez da Rocha, from the Business Development Department at Reganosa; Beatriz Mato Otero, Director of Corporate Development and Sustainability at Greenalia; María Landeira Suárez, Naturgy’s Delegate for Renewable Development in Galicia; Natalia Barreiro Mata, Director of the Repsol refinery in A Coruña; Ángeles López Agüera, university professor representing the Energy Sustainable Applications Group; Ángeles Santos Casal, HR Director at Genesal Energy; Rebeca Acebrón San Miguel, CEO of Acebrón Group and Marta Gómez Palenque, the Government of Castilla-La Mancha’s Head of Circular Economy.

The first Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition seminar will be held on May 4th from 9.30am to 1.30pm in the USC School of Engineering (ETSE) auditorium. Registration is via the form below, which will remain live until all places are filled.

Our challenge in 2022: sustainability without excuses

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Progress on the road to cleaner and more sustainable energy models is being made every day. At Genesal Energy we are travelling down that road, and we do not intend to lose our way. There is no plan B for the planet. We are very much aware that the ecological transition must be an ongoing endeavour, which is why a large number of the projects we participated in during 2021 were focused on sustainability.

For the same reason, our future efforts – in both the short and medium term – will focus on meeting the targets of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); we are implementing a process of identifying and prioritising those that most apply to us, many of which are already an integral part of our business strategy.

At Genesal Energy we are very proud of how we managed the challenges of the pandemic during 2021, and we welcome the new year with a number of exciting projects in the works related to two of the core components of our business strategy: internationalisation and a commitment to innovation.

Continued growth

Our commitment to research – as a tool which enables us to stand out in the energy market – has been a defining feature of our trajectory as a company, and has helped us expand both nationally and internationally since our foundation. In a highly competitive market, making full use of new technologies in the products we design is key to ensuring continued growth.

In the latter part of 2021, a year of transition due to the health crisis, Genesal Energy began to take part in in-person events once again; we were happy to be able to participate in the Mindtech Fair, for example, held in September in the city of Vigo. This fair is one of the most important in Europe for the energy industry, and we were able to demonstrate elements of what we already do and also much of what we intend to achieve in the future during the transition to green energy.

At our stand we showcased our Hybrid Microgeneration system, which combines several batteries powered by different renewable sources, our generator sets with integrated diesel engines which comply with EU Stage V regulations and our line of gas-powered units. These are three clear examples of our progress on the path to energy efficiency and achieving emissions neutrality by 2050. We intend to increase our investment in products which prioritise energy efficiency during 2022, because we believe this is the way forward if we want to save the planet. We are doing our part.

Genesal Energy Stage V Generator Sets

Proactivity is one of our guiding principles when it comes to creating consistently cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. We have made our commitment to renewable energy a reality, and this was once again in evidence over the last twelve months: in our contribution to the development of the future Fenicias wind farm in Mexico, for example, which will reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by more than 320,000 tonnes per year, and to the supply of emergency energy to the substation of a large photovoltaic power plant in Atacama, Chile, one of the largest energy projects in that country.

We also manufactured a generator set for Cabrera Solar, the largest photovoltaic power plant in Andalusia and one of the largest in Europe, in another demonstration of our commitment to sustainability.

Genesal Energy Group installed in a wind farm

The future is called hydrogen

Alongside the gradual transition to gas, hydrogen will play a key role on the road to sustainability. We are involved in a number of projects in this area, such as the development of emergency systems for green hydrogen plants in Barcelona and Ciudad Real, which produce energy without emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

We are very aware of the importance of leading by example; in addition to designing generator sets for sustainable facilities, we seek to apply the same philosophy at home. One of our newest projects is the development of a photovoltaic façade for our headquarters in Spain. We believe that every contribution is valuable.


The future photovoltaic façade at our headquarters

Our R&D&I department is the beating heart of the company, the lab where ideas are born, and special projects are dreamed up. It is where we develop the ad hoc solutions that have opened many doors for us in a diversified and ever-changing energy market.

Our diverse range of machines are adaptable to every scenario and fits all needs. Our bespoke solutions guarantee success. This can be seen in the machines we design to withstand extreme temperatures around the world, from Algeria, where in 2021 we collaborated in the creation of the Sonelgaz plant, capable of operating at 55°C, to Qatar, where we transport generator sets to the desert.

Our generator sets for low-temperature environments, such as the one we created for the LitPol Link substation, part of the interconnection power lines between Poland and Lithuania, are also at the cutting edge of the industry. This year we will continue to improve our lease range, already well established in Peru and Mexico.


 Our lease range facilities at Genesal Energy Mexico

The pandemic cast a shadow over all aspects of our lives this past year. However, despite all the negative effects of the health crisis, one silver lining is that Genesal Energy has been considered an essential service throughout. This is why we have more positive energy than ever. We are conducting research, making steady progress, and strengthening our foundations. We contribute to ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure and facilities such as hospitals, ports and airports, and design emergency energy solutions for the service industry in hotels, office complexes, and administrative buildings, among others.

Close collaboration with our clients and a comprehensive service which involves us taking charge of the entire process, from design to the manufacture, delivery, installation and maintenance of each of the units that come out of our factory, are part of our identity. In addition to these characteristics, sustainability is now a key aspect of our business, an unapologetic commitment to clean and sustainable energy. This is the future we must strive for.

What do you know about the Stage V emissions regulations? Let’s take a closer look.

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Introduction

Air quality has become a critical issue around the world, and Europe is no exception. The European Union has been imposing limits on emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants for years, and in 2016 the European Parliament and the European Council tightened restrictions on internal combustion engines in non-road mobile machinery, including generator sets.

Today, the legislation on pollutant emissions is more restrictive than ever, and strict limits are in place regarding the quantities of harmful substances which may be emitted in exhaust gases by engines that run on fossil fuels. These substances include nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM), while particle numbers (PN) are also limited. EU regulation 2016/1628/EC on non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), or the Stage V regulations, came into force on January 1st, 2019, repealing the directive which had previously regulated emissions from industrial machinery.

The new regulations cover all power ratings and all mobile industrial machinery which uses non-stationary compression or spark ignition engines. It should be noted, however, that stationary emergency generator sets do not fall under the scope of the regulation.

Transition period

The legislation provides for a transition period during which transitional engines, and the machines they power, can be marketed and sold. EU Regulation 2016/1628 has recently been amended to extend this transition period by twelve months, and the regulations will now enter into force on July 1st. This means that Stage IIIA generator sets with power ratings below 56kW or above 130kW and manufactured before 30 June 2021 can continue to be sold until December 2021, with the same deadlines for machines with power ratings between 56 and 130 kW.

The new tighter legislation requires manufacturers to implement a suitable exhaust aftertreatment system to control and measure engine emissions in order to meet the new Stage V emission standards. The following technologies can be used to keep internal combustion engine emissions below the limits established in the regulations:

  • Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC): these are specifically designed to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM) by converting the harmful components of exhaust gases into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
  • Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF): DPFs are designed to remove particulate matter, commonly known as soot, from the exhaust gas.
  • Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR): this process optimises combustion processes by chemically reducing the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) in exhaust gases by means of an injection of AdBlue, an aqueous urea solution containing 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionised water.
  • Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR): EGR works by recirculating or redirecting a portion of the exhaust gases in order to reduce the nitrogen oxide (NOx) content. This system is often used in combination with DOC or DPF aftertreatment systems to reduce particulate emissions.

How has Genesal Energy adapted to this new legislation?

Integration of these aftertreatment systems means there are significant technical differences between the new gensets and those which do not have to comply with the Stage V emissions standard.

For example, the design of a number of the mechanical components of our units needs to be modified in order to accommodate these technologies and enable them to function properly. The requirements for these design modifications are:

  • Ensure adequate ventilation at strategic points.
  • A complete redesign of the exhaust system to integrate the new systems (DOC-DPF-SCR).
  • More efficient thermal insulation to ensure exhaust gases stay within the required temperature range.
  • The canopy design is more complex; our products need to be as compact as possible to enable them to be transported economically, and integration of the new technology imposes restrictions.

The electrical control system must ensure the combustion engine runs at a minimum load of approximately 25% of the power rating so that the exhaust gas temperature is always close to the minimum temperature at which the aftertreatment systems can function correctly. In order to maintain this minimum load it is important to do the following:

  • Install a load bank at the generator’s power output. A load bank is a set of electrical resistors which are automatically commuted by the generator’s control system according to the needs of the system.
  • For safety reasons, the generator must also have a control switch such as a contactor, so that in the event of a failure in the exhaust aftertreatment system the loads supplied by the generator can be isolated. A forced regeneration of the system is then required for the genset to resume operating under the correct conditions. This is an extreme scenario which should never occur if the unit is operated and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Nevertheless, the system developed by Genesal Energy allows this forced regeneration to be postponed for a limited period of time so that users are not forced to cut the power supply in an emergency.

In order for the status of the aftertreatment system to be known at all times, communication between the engine electronics and the generator control unit must be flawless. The reason for this is simple: the correct operation of the entire system depends on this communication. The engine needs the external data transmitted by the control unit and vice versa; this is necessary for the engine to operate in the correct mode at all times, thereby complying with the emissions restrictions even when the facility does not need the generator and it is therefore operating in isolation.

Delivery of a Stage V emission compliant GEN33KI to Germany

Genesal Energy is currently developing its new range of gensets with Stage V engines that comply with the emissions criteria defined in the regulations.

We have just completed the manufacture and delivery of two emergency generator sets for a government project in Germany. These units were designed for trailer mounting and comply with European Union emissions regulations. They include socket panels, meaning power can be supplied to different types of machinery wherever it is required.

In addition, the units contain resistors to guarantee a minimum load at all times (the resistors connect only when a certain quantity of soot has accumulated; below this level the minimum load is not guaranteed), ensuring a working temperature which prevents the crystallisation of exhaust residue, thus avoiding machine malfunctions.

These gensets were designed to be as autonomous as possible and also to be versatile; the socket panel on the soundproofed canopy allows various different machines to be connected. The client also required soundproofing, so we installed baffles inside the canopy which ensure the average noise level at 7 metres does not exceed 69 dB(A).

Features:

  • Designed for trailer mounting
  • *Bunded tank
  • *Isolation monitor
  • *Socket panel
  • *STAGE V engine
  • Special soundproofing: 69 dB(A) at 7 metres
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Our new range of gensets with Stage V engines make the very latest technology available to our clients, which is one of the ongoing challenges we set ourselves at Genesal. This is possible due to the incredible commitment to R&D&I of our team at the Distributed Energy Technology Centre (CETED), which was created to design advanced generator sets that are made to measure from scratch for every client in accordance with their needs.