Standby power for biogas plant operation
Diesel backup generators for biogas plants
A standby diesel generator helps keep the key technologies of a biogas plant (BPS) running during a grid outage. We design a suitable solution based on the specific operation, output requirements, priority circuits and the required operational certainty.
- Diesel standby for BPS technology
- Priority-circuit design
- Automatic changeover (ATS)
Overview
Why a biogas plant is sensitive to power outages
A standby generator does not have to cover the full output of the plant. The goal is to correctly identify the priority circuits — what must keep running — and design the standby exactly for them. The result is a functional and economically justified solution.
Note: this concerns diesel backup for biogas plant technology — not a generator fuelled by biogas.
Standby power is not just a technical measure. For a BPS operator it represents a concrete benefit in operational certainty, protection of technology and plant economics.
Risk of an outage
What an outage threatens at a BPS
Disrupted fermentation process
An interruption of mixers or dosing can disturb conditions in the fermenter — restoring the optimal state takes longer than the outage itself.
Damage from uncontrolled stops
An abrupt stop of operating systems without a controlled shutdown can cause faults whose repair is time-consuming and costly.
Safety systems offline
Safety systems, ventilation and monitoring must work even during a grid outage — the operational safety of the BPS depends on their availability.
Lost production and revenue
An unplanned BPS stoppage means a direct loss of production and revenue. Standby power for key circuits reduces the probability of a forced shutdown.
Where it fits
How a generator helps a biogas plant
Priority technology keeps running
With automatic transfer, priority technology continues without manual intervention — at night or outside working hours too.
Shorter exposure time
A fast automatic takeover limits the time key systems are without power, and therefore the extent of potential damage.
Pumps
Pumps handle substrate transfer, digestate circulation and process media. Their failure interrupts the flow of material across the whole system.
Mixers
Continuous or intermittent mixers maintain substrate homogeneity and optimal conditions for the biological process. Stopping mixers disturbs conditions in the tank.
Substrate feeding and dosing
Systems for receiving and dosing input substrate — an outage interrupts the supply of organic material into the fermenter.
Control and monitoring
The BPS control system, PLC, sensors and monitoring infrastructure must remain functional to keep an overview of the operation and allow a timely reaction.
Safety equipment
Gas detectors, emergency ventilation, emergency lighting and safety automation are critical for operational safety even during a grid outage.
Design factors
What must be considered in the design
The right solution depends on the specific biogas plant — its technology, priority circuits, output and operating conditions. These are the key parameters entering every design.
Priority circuits first
First, determine which parts of the technology must keep running — not everything has to be backed up. Choosing the right priority circuits is the basis of a functional and economical solution.
Total priority output
Total consumption of priority technologies — pumps, mixers, control systems, ventilation. Output is set with respect to the simultaneity of operation.
Starting currents
Pumps and mixers draw several times more at start-up than in steady operation. This characteristic enters the generator sizing directly.
Autonomy
Standby for the grid-restoration period or longer autonomous operation during an extended outage. The required autonomy determines the fuel tank size.
Automatic takeover
On a grid failure the generator starts and takes over the supply automatically — without operator intervention. The reaction speed and the scope of powered circuits are configured.
Integration with the plant
The generator is connected to the existing switchboards and installation of the BPS. Coordination with the plant technology and control system is part of the design.
Location
Outdoor installation, a technical room or a container execution — placement depends on the site layout, service access and noise requirements.
Continuous readiness
A biogas plant runs continuously — the standby system must be kept in a ready state. A service contract and spare-parts availability are part of the solution.
System solution
Not just a generator, but a complete solution
Suitable standby power for a biogas plant includes more than the unit itself. Every part of the system must match the specific technology, priority circuits and operating conditions of the plant.
Industrial generator units
Industrial AKSA generators with Perkins, Doosan or Volvo Penta engines. Output is set according to the priority circuits of the specific biogas plant.
Automatic transfer switch (ATS)
The transfer switch provides automatic changeover to the standby generator on a grid failure — without manual intervention and with transfer in seconds.
Switchboards and connections
Power and control interconnections, coordination with the main BPS switchboard and the existing site installation.
Fuel storage
Integrated or separate tank sized for the required standby period. Refuelling and safety requirements are part of the design.
Commissioning
Professional installation, a functional test, ATS setup and verification of the reliability of the whole standby system before handover.
Service
Regular maintenance, emergency service response and spare-parts supply. The standby system must be operational whenever it is needed.
Process
How the assessment works
The process is simple and non-binding. The goal is to understand your operation and propose a solution that makes sense — technically and economically.
- Step 1
Brief discussion of key parts
We briefly go through which parts of your operation are critical and what a power outage would really threaten. We do not need technical documentation — a basic description of the operation is enough.
- Step 2
Output assessment
Based on the priority circuits, output requirements and operating conditions we assess what scope of standby is appropriate and what output the generator needs.
- Step 3
Design and next steps
We prepare a concrete design of the standby system — generator, ATS, configuration, service. We tell you what the solution includes and agree on the next steps.
FAQ
Why choose ESKO Generator for your BPS
Does the backup have to cover the whole plant?
No. The standby generator does not have to cover the full output of the plant. The goal is to correctly identify the priority circuits — what must keep running — and design the standby exactly for them. The result is a functional and economically justified solution.
Is this a biogas-fuelled generator?
No. This concerns diesel standby generators that keep the biogas plant's technology (pumps, mixers, control and safety systems) running during a grid outage. Biogas-fuelled cogeneration is a separate topic and is not part of this portfolio.
Why choose ESKO Generator?
No two biogas plants are the same — output, technology, priority circuits and operating conditions differ. We design every solution after assessing the specific plant and its requirements. We help assess what makes sense to back up, what output is needed and which configuration fits your operation — before a contract is signed. We supply standby and operating generators to industrial, energy and agricultural operations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other EU countries, and as an authorised AKSA dealer we provide industrial units, spare parts and emergency service.
References
Reference project.
Standby generator 500 kVA for a biogas plant
Supply and installation of a 500 kVA standby generator for a biogas plant. The installation was carried out with a crane directly on site. The standby power protects the key technologies of the plant during distribution-grid outages.
By power
Related generator power pages
Ratings are indicative, not a full-facility guarantee — the required PRP or ESP rating is confirmed from your load profile, starting loads and critical circuits during project sizing.
Keep reading
Related topics and pages
Czech projects — scope as agreed
For Czech projects the delivery may include, as agreed: generator supply, design of the installation, commissioning on a prepared site, turnkey realization and a service contract. The scope is always clarified together during consultation and confirmed in the quotation.
International supply — EXW CZ/NL
International direct sales are preferably EXW Czech Republic / Netherlands; transport is agreed individually. Installation and service abroad are possible in agreed cases and are always confirmed individually by location and model. Manufacturer warranty.
We will assess the standby options for your BPS without obligation
We will help you evaluate which parts of the plant make sense to back up and propose a suitable solution according to the specific technology and operating requirements.