Field Data on, and Prospects of, Using Mobile Generator Sets in Electric Power Systems

Connecting new customers on a large scale, and the existing customers' rising power draw cause power transmission lines (PTL) and power transformers in use to overload. Fast reconstruction of such facilities is objectively not an option. Mobile generator sets (GS) are a feasible solution. The paper discusses some technicalities and key advantages of mobile GS's. It analyzes Russian and international history of using mobile generator sets in temporarily set up energy systems. The authors further discuss the feasibility of using mobile GS's to implement local power system protection algorithms in order to address PTL and power transformer overloads, limit the voltage sag, or provide backup power. This helps minimize load-shedding and keep the required level of net electricity output. The paper further shows an implementation of automated overload limiting, which relies on automatic startup and loading of mobile generators. We additionally discuss approaches to making ramp-rate requirements on mobile GS's, and to the creation of local network service markets. The paper concludes with an overview of prospects of using mobile GS's in the context of today's transformation of electric power systems.