RedFlow specifies Yanmar Gen Set

by Bob Carter on 15 May 2011 RedFlow, the Brisbane based electrical storage system company, has selected Yanmar’s eG100i diesel inverter generator as the key component in its remote area domestic power units.

Already on trial in Victoria’s bushfire affected regions, the new Yanmar powered system from RedFlow is exceeding all expectations. Additional RedFlow units have been built for similar trial in remote ‘off-grid’ areas of New Zealand.

Domestic demand in remote areas can now be satisfied through the intelligent application of solar and diesel power. While there is nothing particularly new in the basic solar/diesel concept, RedFlow has elevated the function and efficiency of the system.

Households can enjoy free solar power, but when domestic demand is in excess this must be supplemented with Yanmar’s diesel power. On sunny days solar power may deliver all the power required by the household. But in situations where the demand for power is greater than that which solar can supply, the Yanmar eG100i diesel inverter generator automatically starts and feeds power into the domestic system. Similarly, on dull days and at night, Yanmar’s diesel power may have to generate all of the power required.

During a random test week conducted in Victoria, the split between solar power generated and diesel power generated using the RedFlow system was 50/50.

On average the Yanmar eG100i diesel inverter geneator operated for 3.89 hours per day with a diesel fuel consumption of 2.07 litres per hour or 8 litres per day.

'This RedFlow system is dependable and proven technology that eliminates the need to be connected to the electrical grid,' said Steve Hickey of RedFlow. 'This is a fit-and-forget system that has all the electrical intelligence to operate on its own with little if any interference.'

'RedFlow has selected the Yanmar eG100i diesel inverter generator for its reliability and proven quality. The inverter capability of the Yanmar gen set is an essential attribute of the system.'

The Yanmar eG100i is rated up to 7.5KVA standby. Using state of the art inverter technology, the Yanmar eG100i adjusts engine rpm to suit the load and in doing so can result in fuel savings of up to 40% against comparable conventional diesel generator sets. As an added bonus, due to the engine rpm being adjusted according to load, the Yanmar eG100i is also typically much quieter (up to 10dB(A) depending upon application) than comparative conventional units, an important feature when used in domestic situations.

The eG100i is driven by the state of the art Yanmar 2TNV70 diesel engine which is already Tier 3 emission compliant.

According to Steve Hickey of RedFlow, the RedFlow designed Zinc-Bromine batteries used in the system have a life of up to 5 years, while the Yanmar eG100i is expected to have a service life of up to 10 years.

RedFlow is an acknowledged world leader in the supply, manufacture and design of packaged electricity storage systems. RedFlow’s Electricity Storage Systems involves the supply and installation of packaged AC and DC electricity storage systems with capacity from 10 kWh to 200 kWh based around RedFlow’s zinc bromine battery module (ZBM). These are plug-and-play units combining power electronics, communications and control systems in high quality enclosures suitable for utility grade electricity storage.

Power Equipment is the exclusive and authorized Australian, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South Pacific Distributor of Yanmar Marine and Industrial diesel engines importing product from Yanmar plants in Japan, Asia, USA and Europe. Power Equipment is also the exclusive authorized Distributor of JCB DieselMax engines for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. Power Equipment also distribute the Yanmar powered MASE diesel marine generators range and Gori high quality folding sailboat propellers.