1. Client Overview
- Company/Industry/Sector
Fair Isle Bird Observatory is an important community asset and hub for tourism on the island of Fair Isle.
- Key challenge or goals
The Observatory has its own power system with two 100kVA / 88kW generators providing a reliable power supply during times of peak use. At times of reduced use such as out-of-season times these generators are oversized and inefficient. D H Marine were contacted by the Observatory to determine if a smaller generator could be installed to efficiently augment the larger sets during out-of-season times.
2. The Challenge
- The specific details
Fair Isle is located equidistantly between Orkney and Shetland complicating planning the work. D H Marine management maintained productive remote communications in planning the work, and targeted areas for survey and further investigation. This allowed the technician team to confirm site details during a brief day-trip visit to Fair Isle, helping the scoping of the specific project details.
Due to the remote location, likely weather-related disruption to ferries or flights into the island, it was important to properly plan the installation, tooling required and as-built details of the existing system.
3. Objectives
- Desired outcomes or success criteria
To provide an economical and effective power solution that could give the client an efficient right-sized out-of-season power source. Selecting a suitable right-sized generator will give better out-of-season emission performance in the sensitive environment which it is installed.
4. Solution
- Provision
We established the replacement generator needed be skid mounted and would need an enclosure to protect it from the potential environmental demands it would be subjected to and to limit the acoustic impact on the surrounding area.
A single, smaller three phase (415V) generator of 22kVA was sourced to augment the two larger generators. Our suggested product provided higher emissions compliance and uncomplicated control systems to promote long term reliability.
- High-level technical elements
A generator suitable for use in diverse applications was sourced with the specifications including:
Minimum Rating: 20 kVA / 16 kW - Maximum Rating: 25 kVA / 20 kW
Emissions/Fuel Strategy - EU3a Emissions Compliant
- Unique approach or innovation
We provided a generator that has been redesigned for optimum performance in some of the harshest and most remote environments with a super silent enclosure included to minimise localised environmental impact.
5. Implementation
- Brief timeline or process overview
Once the generator selected had been approved by our client, the machine was procured through one of our established and trusted suppliers. Following the site visit survey changes were made to the generator in the workshop to prepare it to connect to the existing Observatory fuel system.
Additional protective coating was applied in line with D H Marine experience and practice to enhance the long-term harsh environment protection of the generator. Specific tooling and materials were carefully selected and packaged for delivery into Fair Isle via MV Good Shepherd.
Electrical installation was planned and optimised to use existing changeover equipment already installed at the observatory, delivering a solution which seamlessly fits into the existing generation set-up.
- Key actions taken
Our client was kept informed of our logistical planning, travel and arrival plans. Installation was carried out by our Electrical Supervisor and Mechanical Technician over a one-night stay in Fair Isle with an additional day visit to optimise fuel delivery arrangements and commission the generator.
6. Results & Impact
- Quantifiable outcomes
Lower emissions, less noise and lower running costs for our client.
7. Customer Quote or Testimonial
- “D H Marine did a brilliant job from start to finish, we were kept well informed throughout the process, the work carried out by the installation team was faultless and of an exceptionally high standard, very highly recommended”. Steve Holgate (Fair Isle Bird Observatory)
8. Key Takeaways / Call to Action
- Summary of how we helped
On-site visit pre-quotation for the project, all sourcing of suitable replacement equipment, additional cabling, logistics, transportation, delivery, installation, commissioning and additional work required, completed within agreed timescale.
If you require a specific power source require improve power, efficiency, or reliability, our electrical and mechanical engineering teams deliver that for you. Contact us on 01595 690618 or mail@dhmarine.co.uk with your generator projects so we can help keep you running.
