Keeping Hospitals Powered | Dale Power Solutions Containerised Diesel Generators
Case Study
An NHS hospital required an onsite containerised industrial diesel generator solution designed and built to power a large hospital and to meet site requirements.
The Challenge
An NHS hospital required an onsite containerised industrial diesel generator solution designed and built to power a large hospital and to meet site requirements. Hospitals rely on uninterrupted power to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. Power outages have severe consequences in a hospital setting on vital medical devices, surgeries, essential lighting, emergency systems, electronic data, and readiness for emergencies.
The Solution
Dale engineers and project managers consulted with the hospital down to the last detail to ensure the solution met its power needs and that the build and installation suited its location. Dale designed, built, and installed two containerised diesel generators for the hospital, bespoke to stringent requirements for reliability, noise reduction, and emissions control.
Andy Towse, Head of Technical Sales at Dale, stated: “For this solution, we designed two 2284kVA / 1827kW prime-rated containerised diesel generator units with standby power of 2525kVA / 2020kW and noise level of 85 dBA at one metre. The units incorporated motorised inlet louvres, gravity flap outlet louvres, bunded pipework, integral controls, and load bank connections. A fully bunded 51,500-litre fuel tank supplies the units fitted with a monitoring and alarm system”.
The Build
Dale engineers prepared the containers for the diesel generator installation at our factory. The containers serve as noise reduction units (acoustic containers) and protection against the weather, with each containerised unit including an exhaust silencer and catalytic converter to minimise noise and emissions.
The engineers positioned the two diesel generators housing an engine, alternator, and 3 m high radiator in the two containerised units pre-fitted with a daily service fuel tank.
Weighing 32,490 kgs and measuring approximately 13.85 m long x 3.8 m wide x 5.5 m in height, Hiab vehicles moved the assembled containerised generators onto external concrete plinths where Dale engineers set them up via the control panels - setting the load bank (2,000 kw temporary electrical load), programming the load bank (so it can be applied), and recording the transient voltage and frequency responses. All testing utilised the fully bunded 51,500-litre fuel tank, which travelled to the customer's site to supply the two diesel generators.
Transportation and Installation
The team dismantled the containerised diesel generators for transportation, and a specialist haulage contractor managed the sequence of loading and positioning onto the vehicles. Built-in frames allowed for safe lifting, ease of transportation, and reassembly.
The haulage contractor transported the assignment to its destination, managing travel times, routes, site entry limitations, and accompanying convoy vehicles.
On arrival at the site, the containerised generators were unloaded in reverse sequence and positioned onto pre-built concrete plinths constructed by the customer's civil work partner to Dale's structural requirements. Mechanical and electrical contractors installed the fuel connections and power cables, with all pipework bunded to meet environmental standards. Dale engineers finalised the commissioning of the generators using test equipment to ensure compliance and certification standards.
The Outcome
The two containerised diesel generators will enable the hospital to enjoy robust and reliable backup power, ensuring continuous operation of critical services and emergencies.
For optimal performance and reliability, Dale’s preventative and predictive diesel generator servicing draws on the experience of a 24/7 national service and maintenance team of over 80 engineers offering a UK-wide four-hour response promise.
Broader Applications
Dale’s diesel generator solutions are essential for hospitals and organisations where uninterrupted power is critical - defence, telecommunications, data centres, renewable energy facilities, and many others require operational continuity during power outages. Dale’s diesel generators ensure essential operations continue smoothly, safeguarding health, safety, and efficiency.