Cummins Power Generation has officially launched a new simulator, at the Cummins Training Centre in Johannesburg, to demonstrate its entire product line as an integrated solutions approach, from genset controls to annunciators, remote monitoring, digital master control (DMC), and transfer switches.
The simulator covers the broader African market, joining a similar setup in Dubai for the Middle East and north Africa, with another simulator mooted for Nigeria in order to cater for central and west Africa, Cummins Africa director, Alok Joshi, explains that the plan is to have these simulators located in key markets for the benefit of consultants and customers.
In particular, the PowerCommand Control Panel, an autonomous microprocessor-based control for paralleling, load sharing and protection is showcased, while DMCs come into play in complex systems such as those for data centres, healthcare facilities and wastewater treatment plants.
Simulating real-time scenarios
“These are all critical applications in terms of standby power,” highlights Joshi. “We are now able to simulate such real-time situations and demonstrate how our products respond under such conditions. This simulator is aimed specifically at customers in the power generation sector that specialise in backup or prime power supply.”
The simulator also provides essential information related to electricity failure under varying circumstances. “If you have a single grid and it fails, and you need to share the load between different generators, for example, how do you simulate that?” questions Joshi.
Cummins Power Generation is now able to demonstrate how its range of master controls can be used to configure a particular generator, and how that generator can be synchronised with other units on the grid. “It is a fantastic tool,” stresses Joshi. “Of course, the generator or grid is not live, but users are able to simulate particular conditions in order to see what might happen.”
Developed through global collaboration
The technology behind the simulator has been developed by Cummins globally. “The architecture was discussed in terms of what we needed to demonstrate for customers,” elaborates Joshi. “This is testament to both our flexibility and innovation in responding to specific needs and applications.”
The simulator will be operated by internal Cummins Power Generation staff, which means additional training will not be required as they are already familiar with the extensive product range and its capabilities.
Depending on the complexity of the system, different types of master controls are offered. “For multiple generators on a single grid, we can offer one solution, with a slightly different configuration for customers who want to have multiple generators on two grids, for example, with the addition of load management,” points out Joshi. “We can effectively customise any type of solution depending on the criticality of the application.”
The benefits of the simulator for customers are twofold: firstly, to showcase the solution capability of Cummins Power Generation, and secondly, to familiarise customers with its product range. Joshi adds that a major competitive advantage of Cummins is its ‘Power of one’ philosophy, which means that the company designs and manufactures all system components itself, from the controls to the engines and alternators, as well as peripherals such as turbocharger fuel systems.
“The bulk of the critical components are made by Cummins,” adds Joshi, “thus, we have the benefit of experience with everything that goes into a generator system. The simulator gives us an overview from a controls perspective on how we can synchronise a range of grids with different generators.”
On the product side, the simulator can be tailored for the application at hand, from fast transient response for a data centre, to prime power situations where fuel efficiency and low emissions are paramount. “What we wish to achieve in the context of the new simulator in Africa is to educate our customers about our capabilities, and to ensure that they know who we are and what we can achieve for them,” concludes Joshi. “Cummins is a very strong brand globally. Now, we want to bring that strength to bear in Africa as well.”
For more information contact Palesa Ramodibe, Cummins Africa, +27 (0)11 589 8400, palesa.ramodibe@cummins.com, www.cummins.com
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