Caterpillar Touts Gas Electric Power Offerings at American Public Power Association

For Worldwide Release: June 10, 2019

Caterpillar is a sponsor of this year’s American Public Power Association (APPA) National Conference to be held in Austin, TX June 7 – 12. Caterpillar has been a long-time member of the APPA organization – the voice of non-profit, community-owned utilities powering towns and cities nationwide.

“Utility power generation is an important industry for Caterpillar,” said Claudio Martino, North American sales manager for Caterpillar Energy Solutions. “We help our customers operate electric utilities powered by Cat® gas generators to continuously serve base electrical loads. This is particularly advantageous in the absence of a reliable centralized power plant, or where the economics and availability of natural gas fuel are key drivers.”

Gas generator sets are also commonly used to handle peak loads. Spikes in demand for utility grid power typically occur in the early morning before the workday, and in the late afternoon after the workday ends.

“Most people can relate to getting home from work and immediately flipping the light switch, turning up the heat or air conditioning, and tuning in to the local news on television,” said Martino. “When thousands of people collectively engage in the same behavior, large spikes in power consumption occur for a relatively short period of time. Some utilities choose to enter into long-term power purchase agreements to own a reserve block of power to address these intermittent spikes. However, this approach can lead to unnecessary base load capacity, driving up costs for the utility and its customers. Our customers find great value in utilizing Cat® gas generator sets to off-set utility spikes,” Martino states.

Caterpillar Energy Solutions serve hundreds of utility and power companies across the globe but, like fingerprints, no two are the same. From compliance and regulations to powering sophisticated equipment, unique challenges are common at utility sites. If you are attending APPA, be sure to stop by Exhibit #227 to meet the industry experts ready to talk to you about how to design, install, and maintain power plants intended for utility applications. Our experts will explain how Caterpillar can provide you with your entire utility solution including power generation equipment, cat switchgear and controls as well as microgrid technology.

Learn first-hand how Caterpillar solutions can work for you by joining Shane Minor from Cat dealer Wheeler Power Systems on Tuesday, June 11 for “UAMPS Peaking Plant: A Breath of Fresh Air” — a session on the cleanest burning natural gas-fired power plant in Utah. Powered by five Cat G3520H natural gas generator sets, the plant’s post-combustion emissions aftertreatment technology reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 93%, carbon monoxide emissions by 90% and formaldehyde emissions by 90%.

Caterpillar is leading the power generation provider with market leading power systems engineered to deliver unmatched flexibility, expandability, reliability and cost-effectiveness. With parts and service available globally, Caterpillar offers worldwide product support through its comprehensive service and dealer network, where technicians are trained to service every aspect of the equipment.  

For up to date information on Caterpillar’s participation in APPA, visit to Cat.com/APPA.

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