Technological Advances Will Transform the Future of the Generator
While the introduction of steam power in the early 1800s certainly sparked an industrial revolution, it had limitations. Apart from the first railways and “horseless carriages”, this new technology offered little benefit to the general public. This shortfall prompted Michael Faraday to search for a more useful form of power and a series of experiments that eventually led to the world’s first electrical generator.
Faraday discovered that when a magnet was moved back and forth inside a tube wrapped with copper wire, an electrical current flowed in the wire, a phenomenon that led first to the direct current-producing dynamo and ultimately to the more powerful alternator. Whether driven by the action of running water, steam under pressure, or an internal combustion engine, the power produced is the direct result of Faraday’s initial discovery.
While the generating devices of today are infinitely more powerful than Faraday might have envisioned, research and development into power production are ongoing and promise further improvements in the not-too-distant future.
Types of Generators in Current Use
As long as load-shedding continues, businesses and homeowners must rely on an auxiliary power source. Nevertheless, occasional power outages are inevitable, so it is wise to be prepared. Choosing a unit that best meets one’s needs can be crucial. The following types are among the most popular:
- Portable Generators: These units have a limited power output and are best suited for camping trips, charging mobile phones and powering electric tools.
- Standby Units: A standby generator can produce sufficient electricity to power an entire home or a small business and offers the advantage of automatic startup in response to mains power outage.
- Inverters: The main benefit of inverter generators is that they produce clean power, free of fluctuations. They are quieter and more fuel-efficient than other types, and their smooth output is ideal for charging sensitive electronic devices like laptops and tablet PCs.
- Industrial Generators: These units are much like any standard unit but are markedly larger and capable of producing power in the megawatt range. They are also highly durable and designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are the recommended option for heavy industrial use. They are often mounted in arrays of multiple units and monitored by process control panels that automatically switch individual units on or off as a plant’s load demand varies.
The other factor to be considered when selecting a generator is the type of fuel it requires. The following are the most widely used:
- Petroleum: Suitable for domestic and industrial use and on short-term construction projects.
- Natural Gas: Offer the benefit of minimal emissions and direct connection to piped fuel.
- Diesel: Cheaper to run than a petrol unit but requires a higher initial investment.
The Generator of Tomorrow
While one might hope that Eskom’s woes will be resolved and the threat of scheduled outages will be relegated to a distant memory, the need for homes and businesses to generate power independently will continue. Solar and wind farms are already helping build a cleaner, more sustainable industry, but recent technological advances will also impact power generation. For example:
- Sustainable Fuels: Biogas, biodiesel, and hydrogen will power tomorrow’s units.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI will revolutionise the generator’s performance by analysing data from multiple sources to optimise its operation, predict maintenance requirements, and ensure optimal energy storage while providing the user with monitoring and control via AI-powered apps.
Other developments include integration with smart home systems that could detect an outage, initiate emergency or backup power, and report the event with an alert to the smartphones of those concerned.
Your Generator Partner Today and Tomorrow
CCI Technologies has long been associated with innovative and effective power solutions in South Africa. Contact us for more information about backup generators, uninterruptible power supplies, and solar systems that can sustain your business now and in the future.
