Electrical Power & Protection


Generators: The muscle in the new energy mix

May 2025 Electrical Power & Protection

Contrary to their reputation as noisy and dirty, generators are a key part of modern energy supplies. Generators are reliable electricity workhorses in times of need. But they are also becoming welcome additions to modern energy mixes through efficiency improvements, noise reduction and flexible design choices.

Energy’s changing reality

Global electricity demand is surging. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world’s need for electricity grew by 2,2% in 2023, accelerating at an average 3,4% annually through 2026.

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are rapidly gaining prominence. Yet, most renewable sources are inherently intermittent, dependent on weather conditions and vulnerable to fluctuations. Energy storage systems are not universally applicable, especially for demanding industrial applications such as soft-starting heavy machinery. Moreover, unforeseen power outages and critical situations demand immediate reliable energy.

“A sustainable energy mix requires both renewable and instant energy sources. Generators are often overlooked and stigmatised, but they play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability and reliability of this evolving energy mix,” says Louis Kotze, executive of WEG Africa’s Generator Sets Division. “Modern generator technology has taken big steps forward from the noisy machines we think of. A combination of higher efficiency standards and lower noise is making generators a crucial part of supporting renewables in high-demand energy applications.”

Reliable power for green systems

Sectors such as heavy industries, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, data centres and commercial businesses require consistent, reliable power to maintain productivity and prevent costly disruptions. While solar and wind systems can carry some of those requirements their intermittent nature creates gaps in energy supplies.

Generators serve as a bridge between abundant renewable energy and the practical demands of a 24/7 world. Modular and responsive generators provide the necessary stability, acting as on-demand power sources, seamlessly transitioning when renewable output falters.

“The fact is that the wind can stop and the sun has to go down,” says Kotze. “You can store power in backup systems, but they have limitations. Generators close those gaps with quick and high-quality electricity. They provide emergency and base-level power when other systems cannot. With the right site design and maintenance these generator systems are very efficient and cost-effective.”

An efficient energy source

Criticisms against generators include air and noise pollution. However, modern generators adhere to strict efficiency standards that minimise fuel consumption and emissions. Diesel engines, for instance, have undergone significant improvements by incorporating technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF).

These innovations greatly lower the amount of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that are released into the air. They meet strict environmental standards like Euro 6 for lowering harmful emissions, EPA Tier 4 emissions requirements for non-road diesel engines and the Stage V emission standard for non-road mobile machinery.

Modern generator OEMs such as WEG also invest in noise-reduction technologies, taking care of a very common complaint about generator operations. “Noise is one of the biggest problems with generator sets and we’re heavily invested in reducing generator noise levels. For example, we use innovations such as acoustic louvres that keep noise levels under 65 A-weighted decibels,” says Kotze.

Filling the energy gap

The versatility of generators is evident in their diverse applications. From small portable units to integrated grid-scale systems, generators function as crucial backup power for critical infrastructure like healthcare facilities. They provide reliable power for industrial sites, mining and manufacturing. They support modern digital infrastructures such as telecommunications and data centres. They also play a crucial role in emergency response operations and transportation hubs ensuring continuity during crises.

New energy mixes integrate various energy sources. Renewable energy offers abundant and affordable power while reliable sources capable of rapid and consistent output complement them. Rather than being relics, modern generators are the crucial backup muscle in the new energy mix.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Waste To Energy thermal technologies
DirectLogic Automation Electrical Power & Protection
The vast quantities of waste produced around the world are a large and growing problem. Waste to Energy technology based on pyrolysis is a solution.

Read more...
New enhanced Breaker Status and Communication Module
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its new Breaker Status and Communication Module (BSCM) Modbus SL/ULP, which delivers enhanced performance, improved connectivity and simplified integration for power distribution systems.

Read more...
Building green industries to scale green economies
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa is taking bold steps to build green industries across the continent. Namibia is a trailblazer in the hydrogen space, with up to five Final Investment Decisions scheduled to be made in 2025/2026 and is pioneering a world first for green industrialisation.

Read more...
Easing the path for IPPs navigating South Africa’s energy regulations
Electrical Power & Protection
Independent Power Producers and developers venturing into South Africa’s renewable energy sector face a challenging regulatory landscape. SPS is a renewable energy asset management company that is actively expanding into the energy trading and wheeling market, which will enable businesses to buy and sell energy directly

Read more...
How energy storage will make or break SA’s renewable transition
Electrical Power & Protection
Energy storage is no longer an add-on, but the foundation of a reliable, resilient and renewable energy system. As South Africa accelerates towards a greener future, storage innovation could determine the difference between progress and paralysis.

Read more...
Condition-based maintenance can revolutionise business continuity
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
As businesses experience growing pressure to enhance operational efficiency and reduce downtime due to electrical failure, condition-based maintenance becomes essential for preventing unforeseen equipment breakdowns by assessing the real-time health of electrical systems.

Read more...
Boiler selection for optimal thermal energy performance
Electrical Power & Protection
The changing world of boilers means companies wishing to improve their thermal energy efficiencies while containing costs and environmental impacts must make careful and informed decisions. AES’s rich pool of experience, ability to keep pace with new steam trends and technologies, and understanding of their clients’ production processes can assist clients to weigh up different options in a careful and informed manner.

Read more...
Securing Africa’s energy future starts at home
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
Africa’s energy demands are surging, but the current reliance on imported solar technology leaves the continent vulnerable. This is why the prospect of building inverters and lithium batteries locally, designed for South Africa’s specific needs, is so promising.

Read more...
Dry-type transformers for Dutch intake substation
Electrical Power & Protection
A data centre in the Netherlands is the site of a recent innovation on the transformer landscape, where TMC Transformers has designed, manufactured and installed dry-type transformers in a large intake substation.

Read more...
Doubling down on sustainability commitments: six practical solutions to meet the AI challenge
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
The best time to plant a tree, the old saying goes, was 20 years ago, and the second-best time is today. The same concept holds true to sustainability in the data centre industry.

Read more...