The Advantages of a Bi-Fuel Generator

The Benefits of Bi-Fuel Generators

Bi-fuel generators offer extended running times and significant reliability. The design of the system also makes it a more environmentally friendly choice than generators that operate on diesel alone. In a typical setup using bi-fuel generators, approximately 75% of the fuel used is clean burning natural gas and emit far less NOx and Particulate Matter  than a standard diesel generator.

Bi-fuel generators are scalable and can be incorporated within a modular power system. They allow you to operate with the perfect balance of power, reliability, energy efficiency, and eco-friendliness without sacrificing any of your operational needs. Your bi-fuel generator can be paralleled with diesel or natural gas generators without any difficulty.

Bi-fuel generators reduce the costs of storing and managing large quantities of diesel fuel. They also reduce overall emissions compared to generators running on ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel now mandated by the EPA for all standby generators.

Generac’s Bi-Fuel™ generators are designed and manufactured to comply with the reliable fuel requirements established within National Electric Code (NEC) 700 as well as National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 110. This makes it easier to obtain permitting and comply with fuel needs/runtime hour requirements set forth by the NFPA, NEC, and any applicable local regulations.  Although bi-fuel generators can run without natural gas, they must have diesel available to operate.

Bi-Fuel is Not Dual-Fuel

It is a common misconception that bi-fuel generators are the same as dual-fuel generators. Dual Fuel systems use two types of fuel, natural gas and propane but these fuels are not mixed together. Rather, the generator switches between each fuel depending on which fuel is available.  Natural gas is the primary fuel with propane being the backup in the event natural gas is lost. Bi-fuel systems utilize both diesel and natural gas.  The generator mixes the fuels to create the optimum mixture. Bi-fuel systems start operations through the use of diesel before gradually introducing natural gas into the mixture as load is applied.  When the generator reaches 50% load, it’s running on 75% natural gas and 25% diesel.

The advantage of a dual-fuel generator is having the convenience of natural gas (long runtimes, no maintenance, no tanks to fill).   The downside is natural gas is an offsite fuel that can be turned off.  With a dual-fuel generator, if natural gas is ever lost, there is propane back up to assure the load remains powered at all times; the convenience of natural gas with the reliability of onsite propane.

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