Himoinsa offers more energy
9 May 2022
Something significant is happening on the route to net zero.
A frequent Site-Eco theme is that there can be no single, one-size-fits-all solution and that users will need to select the most appropriate option for their specific requirements.
For years we have seen oil and power companies transitioning to become all-round energy businesses adopting interests in sources like wind and solar technology, amongst others, and offering these alongside fossil fuels, and this has been happening in other markets, too.
I was recently able to visit two of Himoinsa’s factories at San Javier in the Murcia region of the Spanish generator and lighting equipment manufacturer’s homeland, and it is clear that it is similarly broadening its focus.
This has accelerated since the company became 70% owned by Yanmar, the engine and machinery manufacturer, in 2015.
Guillermo Elum, Himoinsa’s EMEA region head, described how the future is being driven by four ‘Ds’: decarbonisation, decentralisation (in terms of more localised installations), digitalisation and demographic change.
So, whereas Himoinsa has traditionally made diesel machines, it is also creating a portfolio of complementary options for power generation, storage and distribution, as well as exploring new energy sources.
Indeed, Guillermo said that in recent years Himoinsa’s annual investment in research and development has been around 15 per cent of its Ebitda, increasing up to 21% in the last year (2021) which reinforces the company’s commitment to keep developing new products and power solutions constantly – including new technology and applications that we will be hearing more of in the future.
Himoinsa’s range of options include machines running on diesel, HVO and other biofuels, gas and LPG, and the company is exploring hydrogen options. It also offers hybrid units and battery storage systems.
Generators running on natural gas and liquid gas represent an increasingly attractive option given the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices and supply disruption in the wake of the Ukraine conflict.
As covered earlier on the blog, Himoinsa launched three years ago its LPG generator line-up which includes 30, 40, 70 and 110kVA models, all of which have Stage V emissions approval.
The liquid gas is contained in large certified tanks located in the base of the generators, giving running times of typically 47, 35, 26 and 15 hours respectively.
Manuel Aguilera, Himoinsa’s global gas unit head, also said that the company has this year extended its range of generators that can run on LPG or natural gas with more power node options, ranging respectively between 25kW to 1000kW and 23kW to 2535kW, for temporary or permanent installations.
Manuel pointed out that using gas options obviously removes the risk of fuel theft or pilferage – which has become even more or an issue following the red diesel rebate’s removal for construction users.
Clive Dix, managing director of the UK business Himoinsa Power Solutions based in Crewe, added that gas sets are typically quieter and avoid risks of leakage or ground contamination. Levels of CO2 and particulate matter are lower than for diesel, emissions are less than HVO and the carbon footprint is 20 per cent lower than gas oil.
As the earlier story said, in order to extend running times on LPG, Himoinsa is to introduce a partnership whereby the generator sets can be fed by 800-litre mobile tanks or via a connected LPG tank installed at the work site, similar to those found at commercial and residential premises without mains gas. These are refillable by tanker, like diesel tanks.
It is expected that more details of this agreement can be revealed later this month, including why it could be a particularly attractive option for hire companies…
