Emergency Generators
Flexible emergency power solutions for your business continuity and security.
The Role Of Emergency Backup Generators And
How They Help
Emergency backup generators are a sustainable solution for the power needs of your facility, providing crucial operational continuity, information security, and safety in the event of a power outage.
At Applied Power Engineering, we work with you to conceptualise a solution tailored to your needs. In partnership with some of the world’s leading generator manufacturers, our team is equipped to deliver a tailored modular solution that precisely meets your specific requirements. This includes detailed design, implementation, training, ongoing maintenance, and comprehensive after-sales support.
How Emergency Generators Work
The backup power system is integrated with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), which continuously monitors the main electrical power supply. In the event of an outage, the ATS typically detects the loss of power within milliseconds and promptly activates the generator. The generator then begins supplying electricity, which is directed through software controlled transfer switching to power critical infrastructure, lighting, cooling systems, ventilation, IT equipment, elevators, life-support systems, and essential equipment, ensuring seamless operations. Once the main power supply is restored, the ATS automatically transfers the load back to the grid and safely transitions the generator into standby mode, preparing it for future use.

Why Invest: Benefits To Your Facility

When integrated into your power infrastructure, an emergency backup generator delivers several important benefits for your facility.
- An high availability power supply for operational continuity: First among the benefits is continued operation or trading, which could otherwise accrue significant losses, risks, and operational bottlenecks should you unexpectedly lose access to mains power. An emergency backup generator enables critical applications, systems, and processes to function in the absence of primary power. This mitigates the risk of downtime and protects revenues, as well as supports your critical infrastructure to maintain your customer’s expected service levels.
- Preserve product and avoid waste: Temperature-sensitive products are at risk of damage or spoilage if critical environmental management systems fail due to a power outage. An emergency backup generator ensures the continued operation of these systems, safeguarding the integrity of these products and mitigating potential waste and associated financial losses.
- Data security and integrity: power outages pose a critical risk to the integrity of data storage and security. An emergency generator mitigates this risk by safeguarding your data and keeping storage devices, servers and other IT infrastructure operational without unexpected downtime. Uninterrupted service (which can be provided by a Battery Storage system to cover short term between mains failure and generator start) also avoids the risk of files and databases becoming corrupted due to an abrupt shutdown, ensuring clients important data storage and access continues.
- Environmental protection and safeguarding: In many instances, a backup power solution is crucial for protecting the lives of customers and patients, particularly in healthcare environments, while also preventing environmental harm caused by the unexpected shutdown of critical systems such as water treatment pumps, sewage processing facilities and building environmental systems. Additionally, backup power generators play a vital role in mitigating fire risks associated with overheating in systems like heat exchangers and cooling equipment used in power generation facilities where loss of grid connection occurs.
Types Of Emergency Power Generators
Diesel Generators:
Our range of diesel generators provide a reliable and rugged power solution for a variety of requirements, with generator load capacities ranging to 2300kVA or more. Suitable for remote and temporary sites, the weatherproof and sound-attenuated designs of our diesel generators minimise noise pollution and facilitate compliance with safety standards. With high voltage and medium voltage options available, diesel generators can support your critical infrastructure or provide a primary energy source for various commercial and industrial operations. Generators are available in single and three phase configurations to meet either prime or standby power requirements. Visit our diesel applications page to find out more.
Gas Generators:
Gas-powered generators use a variety of gas mediums, including natural gas, landfill gas, and biogas, to produce a cleaner energy alternative to diesel, with up to 90% efficiency when integrated into a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. The generators we supply are adaptable to various applications including wastewater treatment plants, agricultural setups, and horticultural greenhouses. Integrated air fuel ratio systems and advanced controls enhance their operational reliability and streamline your maintenance requirements. Visit our gas applications page to find out more.
Diesel Generators:
Our range of diesel generators provide a reliable and rugged power solution for a variety of requirements, with generator load capacities ranging to 2300kVA or more. Suitable for remote and temporary sites, the weatherproof and sound-attenuated designs of our diesel generators minimise noise pollution and facilitate compliance with safety standards. With high voltage and medium voltage options available, diesel generators can support your critical infrastructure or provide a primary energy source for various commercial and industrial operations. Generators are available in single and three phase configurations to meet either prime or standby power requirements. Visit our diesel applications page to find out more.
Gas Generators:
Gas-powered generators use a variety of gas mediums, including natural gas, landfill gas, and biogas, to produce a cleaner energy alternative to diesel, with up to 90% efficiency when integrated into a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. The generators we supply are adaptable to various applications including wastewater treatment plants, agricultural setups, and horticultural greenhouses. Integrated air fuel ratio systems and advanced controls enhance their operational reliability and streamline your maintenance requirements. Visit our gas applications page to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emergency backup generators are designed to operate either continuously or in standby mode depending on fuel availability, and the needs of the application. When active, generators can be configured to provide either stable base-load electricity or peaking power. In terms of fuel consumption, a diesel generator typically consumes around 250 L per megawatt hour (based on efficiency and load). Gas generators can be more fuel-efficient, especially when designed to use gas from renewable sources and where engine heat can be used in an environmentally effective manner. The operational cost will depend on fuel prices, the generator’s efficiency, and fuel type/quality. Please get in touch to discuss your project requirements and for our recommendations on the most cost-effective solution for your application.
Our portfolio of diesel and natural gas generators is engineered for dependable performance and seamless integration with your existing systems, minimising long-term maintenance needs. Maintenance frequency and part replacements are contingent upon usage cycles and intensity. To optimise uptime and manage repair costs, we offer a flexible maintenance program, which includes spare parts and replacements on-demand for all major components. The service package comprises an annual inspection, rapid-response callouts, on-site repairs, and comprehensive generator testing. Additionally, we provide 24/7 remote monitoring to identify early-stage faults, helping to prevent unplanned repairs and minimise downtime.
All our supply partners, are known for their commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability in their generator design and operation. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel particulate filters can be installed to minimise emissions from diesel generators, and many generators comply with EPA Tier 4 final and EU stage V standards for reduced nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions. To further reduce environmental impact, advanced aftertreatment systems can be integrated into your power system.
LYour package will come with the generator itself, as well as the fuel tank, AdBlue controls, an acoustic enclosure, switchboard controls, and software. We provide full implementation support, training, and after sales care, with other optional equipment and control systems available to suit your needs. Please get in touch to find out more.
We provide a range of market leading generators designed to meet various operational requirements, including fault management, load balancing, and resilience. Our engineers will work with you to help design and specify a power system tailored to your project requirements.
- System level controls: all our emergency backup generators are provided with a variety of integrated power solutions, including system level controls, transfer switches, switchgear, and remote monitoring systems.
- Load balancing, sharing, and shedding: our generators are equipped with an advanced power management system that helps you to handle load balancing, sharing, and shedding efficiently. This helps you optimise performance and prevent overloading. The generator’s load shedding capabilities depend on the control system in place. We can help you configure your controls to meet various load management scenarios.
- Simultaneous controls: It is possible to operate two controls concurrently; however, doing so may introduce complexities to your system. Effective synchronisation and a tailored system design are essential to ensure seamless operation and prevent potential conflicts.
- Hot swap and standby: our systems support both hot swapping and standby configurations, allowing seamless transitions between different power sources without interruption.
- Resilience and fault management: all generator solutions are engineered for dependable performance, with a fault-tolerant design capable of handling unexpected power disruptions. Each unit has options for standby and continuous prime power for full resilience in critical applications.
The planning of your installation will require careful consideration of the generator's footprint and the most suitable location for its installation. Factors such as the required clearance around the generator, as well as the potential impact of noise on staff, neighbouring businesses, and residential areas, must be taken into account during the design stage. In certain instances, development work may be necessary to accommodate the generator, and in some cases, property costs should also be factored into the overall project budget. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team for a comprehensive discussion of your options and the associated costs.
One of the common barriers to organisations investing in an emergency backup power solution is the ability to recoup their initial investment. Essentially, some may not comprehend that the return on investment becomes evident in the event of a power outage. Under normal operational conditions, power outages are fortunately uncommon. However, when an outage does occur, an emergency power system typically justifies its cost rapidly by ensuring business continuity, data security, environmental safety, productivity, and other critical factors such as customer confidence and 3rd party impact. Although the likelihood of a power outage may be low, the potential impact of such an event is significant, making an emergency backup power solution a valuable investment in many critical facilities.
Next Steps:
Please book a discovery call with one of our experienced team to find out more about the benefits of emergency backup generators for your facility.
More information can also be found in our free Fact Sheet, which explores the technical specifications, implementation details, and costs and benefits of different emergency backup power options in more depth. Please click here to download your free copy
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