Generators are vital machines that provide energy for various purposes. In many industries, powerful generators produce electricity to run crucial infrastructure. In other cases, these standby generators provide backup power in emergencies.
Whatever the use of a generator may be, they don’t last forever. Getting rid of or moving a commercial generator requires many detailed steps. Health, environmental, and legal implications may also impact the process. Because industrial generator removal is a complex process, it requires decommissioning, a process best completed by a trained expert.
What is Generator Decommissioning?
Generator decommissioning is the process of removing a commercial generator. In other words, it’s the withdrawal of the generator from service. Since commercial generators are so large and complex, this decommissioning process requires experts who work with the generator owners and other vendors to remove the generator from the site properly.
In some cases, the generator moves from one site to another. If it’s in working condition, a used generator is eligible for resale if properly decommissioned. In other cases, it’s the job of the generator decommissioning company to safely and lawfully dispose of the many components that go into these generators.
There can be many reasons a company or facility may seek generator decommissioning:
- Power upgrade: The facility has outgrown the standby power provided by the current generator and needs a bigger one.
- Shutdown: The facility using the generator may be shutting down and no longer needs a standby generator.
- Failure: The generator has developed faults that are beyond repair, or it’s not working efficiently.
- Technology upgrade: The facility wants to upgrade to a newer model with more advanced, modern technology that uses less fuel and has lower emissions.
Why do commercial generators need to be properly decommissioned?
As mentioned earlier, commercial generators used in industrial facilities and factories, either for power generation or as a backup source, are complex. There are hundreds of components, connections, and wirings, and the generator itself is quite heavy and may require a crane and truck to move it.
In many cases, regulatory laws on a state or federal level affect the handling of generator components. To avoid heavy fines and legal trouble, the owners must dispose of these components correctly.
Furthermore, there’s always the threat of environmental damage. Fuel leakage during the generator removal process can pose extreme danger. Similarly, exposed wiring and bad connections can compromise the integrity of the main electrical connections to the facility providing power to the generator.
Steps of Generator Decommissioning
Generator decommissioning is a multi-step project that can take anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on different factors. If you’re looking to decommission or remove a generator, critical steps of the process include:
1. Find a decommissioning or generator removal service
The first step is to find and hire a professional commercial generator removal company to handle the job. Finding a service near your location is best, but that’s not always necessary.
2. Site inspection
Once you’ve hired the company, they will conduct a site inspection. An expert evaluation of the condition and specs of the generator (KWs, voltage, amperage, size, weight, etc.), electrical system, and the site itself is necessary to plan a complete and successful decommissioning.
The company will document critical details and note decommissioning goals. If you’re moving the generator, where will it be moved? Are you selling components that need to be moved and delivered somewhere? Or do you simply want to dispose of it?
3. Review
The generator decommissioning company then reviews all the information collected and determines the best course of action to remove and transport the commercial generator. They will quote you the total cost of the generator removal.
It’s also the responsibility of the decommissioning experts to arrange any machinery, for example, a crane, and transportation vehicle, to move the generator and other components.
This review process will also include an analysis of local regulations to ensure that the whole process complies with any local or state government rules.
They will finalize a timeline for the whole process, which can be several days.
4. Decommissioning (removal and shipping)
The last step is the actual removal of the generator from the site. The company will coordinate with the onsite personnel and may enlist their help.
Before the generator is removed, it must be disconnected from electricity. Once electricity is disconnected, the generator can be removed from the site and placed on a truck for transportation.
After that, new connections are finalized, with new labels added as necessary. Removing any excess wires and conduits left from the generator is also essential.
If you plan on installing a new generator in place of the old one, the decommissioning company can also carry out that task.
Use an expert when decommissioning a generator
Generator decommissioning is a complex process that requires expert knowledge and attention to detail, and it’s a process that only knowledgeable, trained professionals should complete. Doing this on your own requires many vendors and many stages. The likelihood of something going wrong is much greater, with the result more costly than hiring an expert at the beginning of the project.
At Depco, we have trained professionals with years of experience to advise you on the decommissioning of generators. We can answer your questions and schedule a site visit to discuss your needs. Call a team member today.