Industrial Backup Generators

 Adaptable industrial backup power solutions designed for resilience, continuity, and site security 

The Role Of Industrial Backup Generators And
How They Help


Industrial backup generators are essential for safeguarding your facility against unexpected power loss, helping to maintain productivity, protect critical systems, and ensure a safe working environment at all times. Designed for reliability and efficiency, these systems provide a dependable secondary power source when your primary supply fails.

At Applied Power Engineering, we take a consultative approach to delivering industrial backup generator solutions that align with your operational demands. By working with globally recognised generator manufacturers, we design and supply high-performance, modular systems tailored to your site. Our service covers every stage of the process, including system design, installation, commissioning, staff training, preventative maintenance, and ongoing technical support—ensuring long-term performance and peace of mind.

How Backup Generators Work


An industrial backup generator system is typically paired with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) that constantly monitors the incoming mains power supply. If a disruption occurs, the ATS detects the failure almost instantly and signals the generator to start within seconds. Once operational, the generator delivers power through an intelligent transfer system, ensuring critical assets such as infrastructure, lighting, HVAC systems, data centres, lifts, and other essential equipment remain fully operational without interruption.

When mains power is restored, the ATS seamlessly reconnects the facility to the primary supply and manages a controlled shutdown of the generator, returning it to standby readiness for future power events.

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Why Invest: Benefits To Your Facility


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When incorporated into your power infrastructure, industrial backup generators provide a range of critical advantages that help protect your operations, assets, and people.

Reliable power for operational continuity
One of the primary benefits of industrial backup generators is the ability to maintain business operations during a mains power failure. Without a secondary power source, outages can lead to costly downtime, disrupted processes, and lost revenue. A backup generator ensures essential systems and applications continue running, supporting productivity and enabling you to meet customer expectations without interruption.

Protection of temperature-sensitive products
Power disruptions can compromise environmental control systems, putting perishable or sensitive goods at risk. Industrial backup generators keep cooling, refrigeration, and ventilation systems operational, helping to preserve product quality, reduce waste, and avoid unnecessary financial losses.

Data protection and system stability
Unexpected power loss can result in data corruption, system failures, and security vulnerabilities. By maintaining a continuous power supply to servers, storage devices, and IT infrastructure, industrial backup generators help protect critical data and ensure system reliability. When paired with battery storage solutions, they also bridge the gap between outage detection and generator start-up, preventing abrupt shutdowns.

Safety and environmental safeguarding
In sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and utilities, a dependable backup power solution is essential for protecting both people and the environment. Industrial backup generators support life-critical systems, maintain safe operating conditions, and prevent failures in processes like water treatment or waste management. They also help reduce risks associated with overheating or system instability, contributing to overall site safety during power interruptions.

Types Of Backup 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.

Frequently Asked Questions


What is the runtime of your industrial backup generators and how much fuel do they use?

The runtime of industrial backup generators depends on factors such as fuel supply, system configuration, and the specific demands of your application. These systems can operate in either standby mode—activating only during a power outage—or run continuously where a constant power supply is required. When in use, generators can be configured to deliver consistent base-load power or respond to peak demand conditions.

Fuel consumption will vary depending on the generator type, load level, and overall efficiency. As a general guide, a diesel-powered industrial backup generator may use approximately 250 litres of fuel per megawatt hour, although this can fluctuate based on operating conditions. Gas-powered systems often offer improved fuel efficiency, particularly when utilising renewable gas sources or when integrated into energy-efficient setups such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, where waste heat is repurposed.

Ultimately, running costs are influenced by fuel pricing, system efficiency, and fuel quality. For tailored advice on generator runtime, fuel usage, and the most cost-effective solution for your site, our team is available to discuss your specific requirements.

What are the maintenance requirements for your generators?

Our range of industrial backup generators, including both diesel and gas-powered systems, is designed for reliability, durability, and straightforward integration with your existing infrastructure—helping to reduce ongoing maintenance demands. The level and frequency of maintenance required will depend on operating hours, load conditions, and the overall intensity of use.

To maximise system uptime and control long-term operating costs, we offer tailored maintenance programmes to suit your specific application. These can include access to critical spare parts, scheduled servicing, and component replacements as required. Our comprehensive support package typically covers annual inspections, full system testing, on-site servicing, and rapid-response support when needed.

In addition, our 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities allow us to detect potential issues at an early stage, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of unexpected failures or costly downtime.

What is the environmental/sustainability impact of your generators?

Modern industrial backup generators are designed with a strong focus on reducing environmental impact and supporting more sustainable operations. We work with leading manufacturers who prioritise low-emission technologies and efficient system design, helping businesses meet both regulatory requirements and internal sustainability goals.

For diesel-powered systems, emissions can be significantly reduced through the use of advanced technologies such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel particulate filters (DPF). Many of the generators we supply are compliant with stringent standards, including EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V, which limit nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions.

To further enhance environmental performance, additional aftertreatment solutions and system optimisations can be incorporated into your industrial backup generator setup. Where appropriate, alternative fuel options and more efficient configurations can also be explored to help lower overall emissions and improve energy efficiency.

What does the generator set include?

Your 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.

What are the control functions and limitations?

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 industrial 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.
Where can I install my generator?

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.

Do industrial backup generators deliver a good return on investment?

One of the common barriers to organisations investing in industrial backup generators 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 industrial backup generator 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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Book A Free Discovery Call


Unlock the potential of your power systems with a free discovery call at Applied Power Engineering.

Our expert team is eager to understand your unique challenges and goals, providing personalized insights and solutions tailored to your needs. This no-obligation consultation allows us to assess your requirements and explore how we can enhance your operations.

Take the first step towards optimised performance—schedule your free discovery call today!

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