Cat Launches Natural Gas Gen-Set Line

Caterpillar launched the G3520 natural gas generator set line, what the company calls the first U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified 2.0 and 2.5 MW gen-sets for use in 60 Hz power markets.

“The large-scale standby electric power industry is seeing a turn toward natural gas generators,” said Brian George, product manager in Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division. “Natural gas is the cleanest-burning hydrocarbon. It is abundant, versatile, and ideal for helping our customers in meeting their sustainability goals.”

Additionally, a low NOx product is available with NOx emissions down to 0.5 g/bhp-hr. Available now, the Cat G3520 is engineered to meet a full suite of critical market standards, including quick starting and loading capability, meeting NFPA 110 Level 1 Type 10 standards as well as being UL 2200 listed. The 97.5 L G3520 engine has a bore and stroke of 170 X 215 mm.

Updated package design

“There isn’t another gas generator set on the market like this one,” George said. “With an updated package design, the Cat G3520 is modeled after Caterpillar’s diesel standby product to minimize installation costs and commissioning time. A high-power density 20-cylinder engine offers market-leading load acceptance and transient response. Designed for reliability, the engine features a robust design with steel pistons and a protection monitoring system.”

The Cat G3520 incorporates Caterpillar’s EMCP 4 generator set control system, providing engine and generator set control, protection, and monitoring. The optional EMCP 4.4 provides the ability to parallel multiple generator sets in various gas and diesel applications. The Cat G3520 is designed to integrate into building management systems, with ethernet communication capabilities inherent to the control system. The expanded set of features includes complete SR5 generators, gas train, package-mounted radiators, and simplified wiring.

Built on diesel platform

“The combination of certifications and critical customer requirements addressed by this product line provides market-leading performance for the standby market at 2.5 MW power output,” George said. “This generator is built upon a robust diesel 3500 platform with a proven track record, which is critical for customers who rely on our products for resiliency of their systems.”

Caterpillar said the new gen-sets are ideal for emergency, legally required or optional standby systems, the Cat G3520 is appropriate for office buildings, data centers, retail complexes, schools, government buildings and universities, as well as research and industrial facilities.  This product is a great fit for peak shaving or load management applications as well, the company said.