Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company 3 - The best solution for the best choice
Choose languages:
Diesel generators are reliable and flexible power sources. They are widely used to provide emergency backup power in various scenarios, such as supplementing renewable energy sources, supplying electricity to remote islands, etc. Diesel generators offer high reliability and efficiency at low power outputs, with fast startup capabilities.
With the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in COP26, organizations are required to comply with environmental regulations and achieve corporate sustainability targets. Any equipment that relies on fossil fuels is subject to strict scrutiny, and diesel generators are no exception.
The challenge, therefore, is how to minimize greenhouse gas emissions to reduce environmental impact while maintaining a reliable power supply.
Environmental regulations
Regarding regulations, in the United States, diesel generator installations are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA’s Tier 4 requirements have made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, specific Air Quality Management Districts with even stricter regulations have emerged, particularly in California, Virginia, and other areas along the east coast.
In Europe, similar requirements are in place to limit greenhouse gas emissions such as NOx from generators and other equipment. These regulations are adjusted (transitional) for each individual country.
In Vietnam, energy transition targets are outlined in Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8) and other approved documents, aiming to control greenhouse gas emissions from power generation at 197-199 million tons by 2030 and 27 million tons by 2050. The goal is to keep the maximum emission rate below 170 million tons by 2030, provided that the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) proposals are fully implemented by international partners.
Given these regulatory pressures, there is an obvious need to reduce environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions. Several technological solutions can help achieve this, including the use of biofuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), NOx reduction through Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), and combustion optimization. This article will focus on the use of HVO as a renewable fuel.
HVO: a renewable fuel
HVO is produced through a process called hydrotreating or hydrogenation. This involves reacting vegetable oils, animal fats, or other bio-based feedstocks with hydrogen at high temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst. This process removes impurities such as oxygen and sulfur, resulting in a high-quality diesel fuel.
Since HVO is similar in composition and quality to conventional diesel, it can be used in existing diesel-powered generators without requiring modifications to equipment or the purchase of new engines. It is compatible with traditional fossil diesel, meaning it can also be blended for increased flexibility in use. Additionally, HVO is easy to store and can be preserved for years without significant degradation.
Compared to first-generation biofuels, HVO is a superior, cleaner-burning alternative that reduces emissions across its lifecycle. Also known as green diesel or renewable diesel, using HVO instead of conventional diesel can reduce net CO2 emissions by up to 90%. For comparison, fossil diesel produces approximately 0.75 kg of CO2 per kWh of electricity generated, whereas an HVO-powered generator emits only about 0.08 kg/kWh.
Considering all these advantages, HVO has a higher cost than conventional diesel, but prices are expected to drop in the future.
Conclusion
Considering the benefits mentioned above, using HVO as a fuel for diesel generators can significantly reduce emissions while aligning with green energy and sustainability initiatives. This transition can be achieved without compromising performance or significantly increasing costs.
References:
– Modern Power Systems, “Optimizing gensets to reduce emissions”. 2024.
https://www.modernpowersystems.com/analysis/optimising-gensets-to-reduce-emissions-11478629/?cf-view
– EPA, “Regulations for Emissions from Heavy Equipment with Compression-Ignition (Diesel) Engines”. 2025.
https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/regulations-emissions-heavy-equipment-compression
– European Commission, “The Medium Combustion Plant Directive”.
– PDP 8, Vietnam. 2025.
