Similar to hybrid car technology, Firefly Solar says it connects to diesel generators cutting fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent. It manages base loads using power from its batteries before automatically switching to diesel as power requirements increase.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, the 12-24 kVA Cygnus HPG is said to be compatible with all diesel generators and can be used to provide primary, standalone, stand by or emergency power. An environmentally friendly generator, it can produce clean renewable electricity by integrating with solar PV and wind turbines, as well connect to the mains grid.
According to Firefly Solar, running at low load, a typical 100 kVA will consume up to 10 litres of diesel per hour. It adds that when integrated with a Cygnus HPG, which uses a built-in intelligent load management system, the generator is automatically switched off and no diesel is required. This can save as much as 40,000 litres of fuel each year, paying back costs within 23 weeks.
Andy Mead, founder and ceo of Firefly Solar, said: “Traditional diesel generators have long been the natural choice for temporary and remote power, but as with the introduction of hybrid fuel systems in cars, our technology will deliver improved efficiency, fuel savings and a reduced carbon footprint. With this new product we have dramatically increased battery storage, which means longer run times without the need to use a diesel generator. What’s more the Cygnus HPG will integrate seamlessly with renewable power sources such as solar – providing a fully stand-alone power solution. So, whether you’re shooting a film, running a festival, on a building site or working remotely in disaster relief, it’s now easy to reduce your dependence on diesel and move towards a more sustainable source of power.”