Comparison Between Diesel Generator Sets and Gas Generator Sets
With the continuous development and technological innovation of generator sets, diesel generator sets, which were once highly favored, have gradually lost their dominance due to the persistently high price of diesel fuel. As a result, many users are now turning to gas generator sets as a replacement. Gas generator sets are new-generation power equipment developed to meet global environmental protection requirements and adapt to new market conditions.
So, what are the advantages of diesel and gas generator sets in practical use? The following provides a comprehensive comparison from several aspects:
【Diesel Generator Sets】
01. Strong Durability
Diesel generator sets are typically designed and manufactured with high-quality materials and engineering standards, enabling them to withstand long periods of operation and heavy-load conditions. Their durability makes them ideal for long-term use and emergency backup situations.
02. Easy Fuel Accessibility
Diesel is a common and widely available fuel type, making it relatively easy to obtain in most markets.
03. Fuel Storage Costs
Diesel generator sets require storing a certain amount of fuel to ensure supply stability. The storage and management of diesel fuel involve space, safety, and additional costs, especially for long-term or large-scale applications.
04. High Fuel Price
According to field data, the price of diesel is about 7 RMB per liter. The efficiency of diesel generator sets generally ranges between 34% and 45%. On average, 1 liter of diesel generates approximately 3–4 kWh of electricity.
05. Environmental Impact
During operation, diesel generator sets produce significant noise, which can disturb surrounding environments and personnel. Their exhaust emissions contain harmful substances, contributing to environmental pollution.
【Gas Generator Sets】
01. Low Fuel Cost
Gas generator sets use clean and low-cost combustible gases such as natural gas, biogas, coal-bed methane, landfill gas, and various industrial exhaust gases. These fuels make the generator sets reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. They can even convert waste gases into energy, achieving “waste-to-value” utilization without producing pollution.
02. Low Maintenance Cost
Due to the complete combustion of gas inside the cylinder, there is less carbon buildup and reduced component wear. This extends maintenance intervals and lowers overall maintenance frequency and cost.
03. Wide Application Scenarios
Gas generator sets are widely used in natural gas extraction sites, shale gas and coal-bed methane recovery, data centers, distributed power systems, peak shaving for power grids, emergency power supply, and off-grid power systems.
04. High Energy Utilization Efficiency
Advanced gas generator sets utilize intelligent control and optimized combustion technology, achieving energy utilization rates of over 90%. They also feature precise emission control and align well with global carbon neutrality goals.
05. Low Emissions and Environmental Friendliness
The NOx emissions of natural gas generator sets are only about 20% of those from diesel generators. Their carbon emissions are significantly lower. Moreover, burning methane-rich gases such as coal-bed methane helps prevent direct methane emissions — which have 26 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide — thus greatly reducing environmental impact. For enterprises or projects that prioritize sustainability, gas generator sets are the better choice.
With the positive development trend of new energy technologies, factors such as waste-to-energy utilization and environmentally friendly emissions have become key considerations for customers when choosing generator sets. Through comprehensive comparison, it is evident that gas generator sets possess incomparable advantages and have increasingly become the preferred choice for most modern users.
