How Perkins redefined power generation performance.

The short answer is to engineer a new engine from the ground up that’s designed specifically to generate reliable power for critical applications where downtime is never an option. That includes hospitals, data centres, shopping malls, public safety facilities and virtually any other location that depends on a generator set for reliable prime or standby power.

The product of that engineering effort is the all-new Perkins^® 5000 Series, a full-authority electronic range of inline six and eight cylinder and V12 and V16 cylinder engines purpose-built for electric power generation applications. With capacities ranging from 750 to 2500 kVA plus high efficiency, low fuel consumption and global emissions capability, the 5000 Series truly does redefine class leading performance in this segment.

The long answer is a bit more complicated. It began with an ambitious set of goals that included:

• Outstanding load acceptance
• Low carbon footprint to support sustainability goals
• Future proof emissions
• Excellent fuel economy
• Sophisticated telematics
• Low cost of ownership

To meet those goals, the Perkins engineers re-examined and reimagined every aspect of the engine. Everything from bolt pattern geometries, sealing technologies and filter selection to turbocharging systems, fuel injector design and control electronics was analysed, evaluated and optimised for its impact on the power generation application.
 

Load acceptance

The Perkins 5000 Series engines meet ISO 8528-5 G2 and G3 standards and accept 100 percent block load to NFPA standards to deliver full power output in less than 13 seconds from a cold start. This is accomplished, in large part, through a redesign of the air system to use two small turbochargers per cylinder bank controlled with custom software.

The smaller turbochargers spin up to speed faster than a single unit, which improves response time. The turbochargers specified for each engine are matched to specific power ratings to ensure optimal performance from every 5000 Series engine.
 

Lower-carbon footprint

5000 Series engine can run on B20 biodiesel and 100 percent hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels that meet Perkins specifications. The engines combine a unique, low-pressure fuel system with full authority electronic injectors and an electric fuel priming pump. The result is a very robust fuel system that can operate on a variety of global fuels, including sustainably produced B20 and 100 percent HVO.
 

Futureproof emissions

The sophisticated full authority electronic fuel system developed for 5000 Series engines is also a key reason why they are capable to EPA Tier 2 emissions standards. In practical terms, this means 5000 Series engines can be used virtually anywhere in the world under present emissions regulations and are effectively futureproof.
 

Fuel economy

The advanced electronically controlled injectors used on 5000 Series engines can operate at any pressure between 35 and 240 MPa and can inject at any point in the combustion cycle. This, along with a redesigned camshaft fuel lobe, allows the engines to achieve optimised fuel delivery and timing to reduce fuel consumption.
 

Telematics

5000 Series engines are equipped with an integrated ECM and sensor pack to easily integrate with existing telematic systems to enable remote monitoring capabilities. The data produced can provide a comprehensive insight into the engine’s performance and support proactive maintenance to maximise uptime.
 

Low cost of ownership

Perkins engineers optimised a number of internal engine components to decrease liquid consumption and extend service intervals. An entirely new piston, ring and liner assembly, for example, significantly reduces oil consumption to an average of 0.15 percent of fuel consumption. These, and other optimisations, allow 5000 Series inline models to operate for up to 750 hours or two years before oil service or filter changes are required, and 500 hours for V12 and V16 models.

In addition to the emissions, carbon reduction and sustainability aspects of the new engines, the air, fuel and electronic control systems deliver several other benefits. 5000 Series engines operate efficiently at altitudes up to 3,000 meters, in temperatures up to 50° C and, with an optional block heater, can start reliably at -10° C.

They are also very power dense which is important for facilities like hospitals where space is at a premium. Because 5000 Series engines can produce more power from a smaller package, an eight cylinder inline model can replace a conventional 12 cylinder engine while providing the same output. And, being more efficient, the 5000 Series is likely to use less fuel, consume less oil, and require fewer hours of maintenance.
 

Tested and proven

Perkins has been designing and building diesel engines for more than 90 years. The new 5000 Series engines continue the legacy of engineering excellence and support from a global distributor network that stands behind every Perkins product.

5000 Series engines have been designed from the ground up for durability that’s focused on performance. Each part has been created or hand-picked to perform.

And then they were tested, analysed, evaluated, modified, optimised and tested again and again. More than 9000 hours later they are ready to go to work in hospitals, data centres, shopping malls, public safety facilities and virtually any other location that depends on a generator set for reliable prime or standby power.

And that’s the long answer to how Perkins redefined power generation performance.