Caterpillar adds to natural gas gen-set lineup

Caterpillar Inc. has launched four new models of natural gas generator sets for small- to medium-sized standby and demand response applications. The gen-sets offer four 60-Hz power nodes ranging from 350 kW to 500 kW, and they are factory certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in non-emergency applications.

Caterpillar DG500 natural gas generator set. (Photo: Caterpillar)

Powered by a Cat CG18 inline 6, four-cycle, natural gas engine, the DG350 to DG500 spark-ignited gen-sets come in both standalone and modular parallel configurations and are designed to deliver high power density. To optimize performance while protecting the engine, the new models use the Cat ADEM A4 engine control module (ECM) to seamlessly integrate all engine functions including ignition, governing and air-fuel ratio control.

Improved fuel efficiency and extended annual run times make the gen-sets suited for energy management applications such as demand response programs that compensate large energy users for producing extra power during periods of peak demand and exporting it to the grid, Caterpillar indicated. The technology also enables fast response for emergency standby applications. In addition, a compact footprint and performance across a range of pipeline natural gas fuel pressures allow use in small- and medium-sized industrial and manufacturing applications, agriculture facilities, municipal infrastructure, commercial enterprises and office buildings.

The new models are equipped to use the Cat Active Management Platform (AMP), a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) platform that helps customers monitor, manage and monetize the gen-sets and other Cat power solutions. The platform monitors patterns from the grid and client facilities, analyzes opportunities in energy markets and dispatches DERs to maximize return and monetize results without disrupting normal business operations, said Caterpillar.

The gen-sets meet the NFPA power restoration requirement for Level 1 systems and accept 100% block load in one step. They meet ISO 8528-5 requirements for steady state and load acceptance, and they are UL 2200 listed.

Hardware is pre-installed on each of the gen-sets to enable access to Cat Connect Remote Asset Monitoring.