Tag Archives: Power Generation

Spotlight Interview with Jacob Jewison – Electrical Engineer – Nidec – Kato Engineering & Leroy-Somer

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A conversation with Jacob Jewison, Electrical Engineer at Nidec -Kato Engineering & Leroy-Somer

Jacob graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and has 5 years of experience with Nidec-Kato Engineering working as an Electrical Engineer.

BRW: What do you hope the audience will learn from this webinar?

The goal of the webinar is for the audience to better understand what factors go into sizing the generator and why it is so important that we receive that information during the quoting stage so we can provide an accurate quote for a machine that will fit their needs.

BRW: What discussions do you look forward to having with the audience?   

 I look forward to talking about temperatures classes and the reactance requirements most.

BRW: What do you enjoy most about your role?

I most enjoy when a customer comes to us with a requirement that hasn’t been solved before, and I get to develop a new design that will fulfil the requirement.

BRW: How did you get into the Industry?

I’ve had an interest in electricity since the 4th grade when in science class we made simple circuits using batteries, switches, light bulbs and motors. This interest led me to pursue a career as an electrician after high school.  Wanting to learn more about electricity, after a couple years I decided to go to college for electrical engineering.  After my first year of college it was my experience as an electrician that landed me an internship here at Kato in the insulation lab building and testing sample coils.

BRW:Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

My favourite place in the world is out on the hiking trails near Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota, because it’s great to get away from the technology from time to time.

Join Jacob Jewison on a webinar entitled “Properly Sizing Your Generator” on 14th November at 3PM London/10AM New York.

Register Here!

What factors determine proper generator sizing?

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Power generation is needed in an endless variety of locations and environments, with each installation having different factors affecting generator requirements. Incorrect generator sizing can be disastrous in any power generation project if particular installation factors are not properly taken into account.

Many OEM’s and end users are posed with the task of sourcing the most efficient and cost-effective generator that meets all applicable customer and project certifications and requirements.  Without knowing and understanding all necessary installation details and factors that go into proper generator sizing, this can be a very difficult task.

The operating environment of a generator set is one of the biggest factors that affects the size of machine needed for a given kVA load.  Environments can range from sub-zero to 60° C ambient temperatures and can include harsh conditions and contaminated cooling media, which impact enclosure selection.  Extremely harsh, contaminated operating environments can require a cooling enclosure that will almost double the size of generator needed to produce the same kVA output as a unit in a controlled environment.  Operating altitude is also very important to consider.  As elevation increases, air density and cooling capacity decrease, and therefore a larger cooling system is needed.

In addition to environmental factors, there are many electrical considerations that affect generator sizing as well.  For example, for a given kW required, a lower power factor drives the need for a larger generator.  Also, frequency and RPM (determined by the prime mover) will directly impact generator size.  The physical size of the machine required for the same kVA output can double if speed is cut in half, due to the need for an increase in number of poles.

Additionally, insulation class (temperature rise allowance) is a big component in generator selection. While lower temperature allowance can greatly increase the overall lifetime of your generator, a larger unit will be needed to produce the same kVA as a unit with higher temperature allowance.

As important as any of the topics above when it comes to generator sizing is non-ideal loading conditions.  Possible high harmonic and unbalanced loading levels require a larger unit to handle the maximum level of unbalance that the machine may be exposed to.  This concept applies to motor starting and block loading capabilities too.  A bigger machine is required to minimize the voltage dip caused by motor starting.

The topics discussed above are a brief introduction to all concepts and factors that play an important role in generator sizing.  Our upcoming webinar “Properly Sizing Your Generator” will examine and explain these topics and more in greater detail to ensure that you are selecting the right generator for your next project.

Nidec – Kato Engineering/Leroy-Somer branded low, medium, and high voltage generators are the reliable choice for genset packagers and power producers worldwide.  Our proven engineering expertise and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes ensure that our generators will out-perform and out-last in any environment.  We offer both standard and custom product design solutions to meet any power generation project needs.

Register now for our “Properly Sizing Your Generator” Webinar to learn more detailed information on selecting the optimal generator for your next project.

Learn More at Upcoming Webinar

Understanding all mechanical and electrical considerations that factor into properly sizing a generator is key to ensure trouble-free and efficient generator operation. Register for this webinar here to make sure your future power generation projects are properly planned.

Here are the details of our Webinar:

Date: Wednesday, November 14

Time:  3PM London/10AM New York

Presenter: Jacob Jewison

Job title: Electrical Engineer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join Nidec – Kato Engineering & Leroy-Somer Live Webinar “Properly Sizing Your Generator” on 14 November at 3PM London/10AM New York

Register Here!

Gero Meinecke, Global Market Segment Manager Energy, Georg Fischer Piping Systems

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A conversation with Gero Meinecke, Global Market Segment Manager Energy, Georg Fischer Piping Systems

Gero finished his studies in electrical engineering at the Technical University in Braunschweig, Germany, in 1999. As a qualified Dipl.-Ing. for automation technology, he joined Siemens Power Generation in Erlangen, Germany as a project manager for global power plant instrumentation & control projects. Further, as a strategic consultant he was responsible for the long-term product and technology planning of the entire Energy division. Finally, in the role as product line manager, he was driving the product development, marketing and commercialization of gas-fired power plant solutions. During this time, he collected all relevant professional experiences and got to know the power industry in all its diversity.

In January 2017, Gero joined Georg Fischer Piping Systems headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland as Global Market Segment Manager Energy. This new position makes him responsible for tailored regional go-to-market strategies in the energy segment and customer centred development of value selling approaches for GF products and solutions in the power industry.

BRW: What do you hope the audience will learn from this webinar?

My wish is that the attendees will gain an appreciation of the benefits that advanced thermoplastic materials can bring to their industrial and especially power plant piping projects. And, that switching from metal to plastics is not a difficult or risky leap of faith when you have a solution focused partner like GF at your side, who not just sells “stuff” but guides customers all along their journey towards a successful piping project. There is added value for all the stakeholders in power generation projects, whether they are EPCs, Engineers & Consultants, Contractors or Owners & Operators and we would like to see more companies to make the change.

BRW: What discussions do you look forward to having with the audience?

I would like to hear reactions to the messages in the webinar, with focus on perceived stumbling stones that have held people back so far from substituting metal with more advanced materials. I’d also be interested in feedback, either good or bad, from audience members that have already had some exposure to thermoplastic piping materials in power generation projects.

BRW:  What do you enjoy most about your role?

I like that I am in a position to bring application expertise and customer understanding to a company that is dedicated to further develop from a product to a true solution provider and which puts the customer and value generation at the center of everything.

BRW: How did you get into the industry?

I joined the power generation industry many years ago, starting to work on power plant turnkey engineering and construction projects, first as a project engineer and later in project management. That took me around the globe quite a bit and always being close to the customers helped to build an genuine understanding of their pains and needs. The journey continued with stops in strategic marketing and long-term power industry market analysis. In my previous position as product line manager for turnkey power plant solutions I came to appreciate the role as “translator” or mediator between customer requirements and our product and solution developments as well as to return added value to the customers.

BRW: Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

Underwater, above a nice coral reef, on a sunny day, with a full tank of air on my back…

Join Gero Meinecke on 7th February for a webinar entitled ‘Solving Your Piping Corrosion Problems’ at 3PM London/10AM New York

Register Here!