Altitude Power Drop Calculation

Generator manufacturers use diesel engines in ISO3046 standards.

The power data in kW of diesel engines in generator sets is generally 1000m. are given according to height. In this article, we will give information about what kind of engine should be chosen in high altitude places and how much power loss there will be.

In general, the efficiency of all internal combustion engines decreases as they move to higher altitudes.

Regardless of the brand, all generators lose 3.5% power for every 1000 feet (304.8 m). Power loss is not calculated for the first 500 feet of altitude.

For example, if your generator set produces 100 kVA power at sea level, 1853 m. Let’s calculate how many kVA it will produce in Erzurum at an altitude of (6,079 ft) with this formula.

6079 – 500 = 5,579.00 ft. / 1,000 =5.579 x 3.5% = 19.52%

The generator, which produces 100 kVA power at sea level, will produce 80.48 kVA power in Erzurum.

Another important point is that Turbo engines should definitely be preferred in high altitude areas. The power loss in non-turbo engines will be much greater.

Considering that most engines below 50 kVA are naturally aspirated, not turbo, we should choose generators for high altitude locations over generators with turbo suction systems.

In larger power generators, keeping the efficiency at the highest level is possible with engines with electronic governors. The efficiency decrease is greater in engines with mechanical governors.