Case Studies

Generator Systems
Two large beige Generac industrial generators outside a building on a concrete pad

E-Commerce.com

Industry: Data Center / Web Hosting

E-Commerce was in the process of relocating their operations from out of State to a new facility in Columbus, Ohio. As a web hosting business, their infrastructure consists of many rows of industrial grade servers, all serviced by dedicated HVAC units. When commercial power is lost, they have precious time before those servers begin to crash.


Due to budgetary constraints, E-Commerce planned to purchase a used 2 MW generator with no warranty. Fortunately, through a referral they were introduced to Generator Systems, Inc. (GSI).


Generator Systems presented a paralleled generator concept based on Generac’s Modular Power System (MPS) capabilities. Initially there was resistance based on industry bias against this technology. However, GSI was able to provide a live demonstration using a mobile demonstration system. The MPS concept was easy to view in this manner, and the benefits were clear.


While learning the customers’ overall needs, GSI discovered 2 MW of backup power would not be needed until later stages of a planned expansion of the new facility. GSI was able to provide an N+1 system, providing 100% redundancy using two 500kW diesel generators for substantially less installed cost than the used 2 MW system previously under consideration. At the same time the solution allowed for the future planned growth by provisioning for the addition of more generators at a later date.


Additionally, the MPS system was sold with a comprehensive, extended 5-year warranty and preventative maintenance and service plan in order to guarantee E-Commerce’s maintenance costs up front.


E-Commerce was able to save substantially on their capital equipment investment, while implementing a dramatically more reliable standby power solution to meet their current needs, while maintaining scalability for the future.

Northfield Park – Hard Rock Rocksino

Commercial/Entertainment: Casino

Generator Systems was contacted by a construction manager working for Adam Building Company in order to gain our assistance in reducing their emergency power budget for the Northfield Park – Hard Rock Rocksino project. The initial budget was approaching $2.0M and they were exploring different options to reduce their costs associated with their emergency power system.


Karpinski Engineering initially engineered the system to utilize (2) Caterpillar 2000 kW generator sets as the basis of design and would supply power to two independent emergency distribution systems. The specified transfer switches were ASCO 7000 series.


Generator Systems performed a complete review of their emergency backup power plans to determine if an alternative design could meet their objectives. Due to the budgetary differences between single set/large engines vs. paralleled modules utilizing smaller engines, Generator Systems recommended using Generac Industrial Power’s Gemini units. Each Gemini module produces 1,000kW of power. Four modules were paralleled together bringing their total system to 4 megawatts of emergency power available.


Most significantly, by utilizing the Generac Industrial Power Modular Paralleled Solution, we were able to reduce their emergency power costs by over 50% when compared to their initial budget. In addition to the cost benefit, the owners appreciated the other benefits that come with the modular power system; redundancy, scalability, efficiency, ease of maintenance, lower cost of ownership, and site flexibility.


Since the original project completion, an additional 1,500kW of emergency power has been added to the system. This was easily accomplished due to the intrinsic benefits of modular power that allow for scalability for future expansion of the system.


In the end, the total value of our Modular Power System provided substantial costs savings and other valuable benefits. Hard Rock Casino’s and Adam Building Company made the decision to purchase Generac Industrial Power’s MPS system based on the total value package of the emergency power solution.

Rows of large black industrial generators or battery units on a gravel lot under a cloudy sky
Person standing beside a large beige Generac generator mounted on a brick building

City of Lakewood, OH

Industry: Municipal Water/Wastewater

In late 2007, The City of Lakewood, Ohio’s Waste Water Treatment Plant was seeking a generator backup system for their main operations building.


The City had previously used Generac systems in an outlying building at the same plant, as well as in several other City facilities and has experienced reliability and excellent service from Generator Systems, Inc. (GSI). Therefore, GSI was the only company initially contacted about this new need.


Originally, the city’s Division Manager desired a 750 kW generator at the suggestion of the electric utility who provides power to the facility. However, GSI was able to propose a value added solution using Generac’s Gemini product, offering 1,000 kW (1 Megawatt) in a single, sound attenuated enclosure.


GSI’s proposal included twin 500 kW generators inside the enclosure, providing the plant with engine redundancy and further providing 50% redundant backup of critical circuits using Generac’s Modular Power System (MPS) capabilities. The Division Manager was so impressed with GSI’s proposal that he subsequently rejected any proposal from others which relied on a single engine.


Proximity to an environmentally sensitive metropolitan park system, with its myriad recreational venues and hiking trails, as well as proximity to high dollar residences required the utmost level of sound attenuation. Generac’s Gemini product, with its nested silencers and sound attenuated enclosure met and exceeded the requirements.


The Lakewood Waste Water Treatment Plant was able to realize maximum value and return on investment which exceeded their initial design criteria, while remaining within budget and realizing a delivery time unmatched by the competition.