DG Efficiency

160 kVA

- DG = diesel generator?

1 kWh - kilowatt hour

takes average 0.3 -0.4 liter diesel.

In analogy to that 1 liter diesel should generate 2,5 to 3,3 kWh.

This is net at the generator connection.

A unit generation?

Let your diesel run on 1 liter and measure the Power in Watts and clock the time. Or better: use a kWh meter.(counter)

(do not take the liter literally because when your diesel runs dry, you are stuck with a engine re-start problem and need to bleed all the air out the fuel lines.

Do it e.g with 5 liter, run it to the generator and also let the return flow back in the same can and mark 1 liter less)

The post is spot on you will get 0.3-0.4 l/kwh while operating at full load. As you are running well below full load, the idle or "hotel" load of the engine (i.e. the fuel required just to keep it running and cover its own heat losses) will be a significant proportion so your actual fuel consumption rate appears much higher. Still, the figure of 1.9 (which equates to 0.53 l/kwh) is on the high side.

The diesel engine is a high-precision instrument and does not take kindly to being underloaded. I always install resistive load banks (generally in the outgoing airflow) to ensure the engine is fully loaded and to enable load tests without having to run the building. This ensures full operating temp and pressure in the engine and prevents carbon build-ups, oil sludging and adverse bearing wear. This is especially important in a turbo engine.

Confusingly, as the engine is then operating at greater efficiency often the fuel consumption increase for the higher load is negligible. i.e. you can run the load-bank for free! Just don't tell Greenpeace you are warming the planet :-)

Be careful with fuel too. If you keep fuel supplies suitable for a 160kVA set, then don't use the fuel in a reasonable time, the fuel can go off or get diesel bug etc. 80% of all genset issues I see are to do with fuel neglect and bad fuel then clogging filters.

Another big issue is winter diesel. In motor vehicles the change is automatic when you refuel. Of course with gensets you have to run your summer diesel out and then replace with winter. Unless your tank is indoors of course.