What is a Diesel Tier Rating?
In a move to improve air quality in the 1990s, some countries began regulating the emissions from off-road diesel engines, including diesel-powered construction and mining equipment, rail locomotives, port equipment, and ships.
The regulations aimed to improve air quality by reducing the level of particulates emitted from engines. The targeted emissions include Sulfur, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), and Particulate Matter (PM).
An engine’s output of emissions is measured in Tiers (US) or Stages (EU), with the plan to phase out the lower tiers as we move towards more efficient engines.
Regulations have not been as strict in Australia in the past, however, this is quickly changing. It is in everyone’s interest to understand what these changes mean for your decisions in choosing the right fixed-speed diesel generator.
The Benefits
Air pollution is one of the most significant environmental challenges that affect public health across the world.
When signing the 1998 rule, the EPA estimated that by 2010, NOx emissions would be reduced by about a million tons per year – the equivalent of taking 35 million passenger cars off the road. The cost of meeting these emission standards was expected to add less than 1% to the purchase price.
By reducing emissions from non-road diesel engines, we can ensure cleaner air and reduce health issues associated with harmful particulates in the atmosphere.
How it Affects our Industry
Standard emission controls in Australia are not yet mandatory, although an evaluation aims to decide whether regulations should be implemented soon. NSW EPA has already taken action to reduce emissions, and many industries and organisations are preparing for any changes that may occur.
The Australian Government is taking steps to ensure that all government agencies who purchase, lease, or procure contractor-supplied mobile non-road diesel plants and equipment apply a minimum performance standard. In addition, they are also weighting preference to low emission engines in their tender selection process.
As the community becomes more educated on the adverse health impacts of diesel emissions, higher-tier engines will be compulsory in areas such as worksites and city construction, where people nearby will be directly affected.
In April 2018, Environment Ministers agreed to an evaluation of the potential for a national approach to manage emissions from non-road diesel engines (such as those used in construction, mining and agricultural equipment) as a priority action under the National Clean Air Agreement. The Australian and New South Wales Governments are working together on the evaluation.
Tier Solutions for Viking Industrial Fixed Speed Diesel Generators
The Viking Industrial generator range includes models to meet any project emission requirements. We also work closely with pollution control companies such as ECI to install filtration systems that reduce emissions even further.
Volvo Penta
Volvo Penta works actively to develop resource-efficient products with low environmental impact. However, sustainability means more than just emission levels. It is just as much about fuel economy, ease of installations, and the total cost of ownership – all the parts that lower the environmental impact of your chosen power solution.
To keep emissions down and meet the demands of Stage II & III/Tier 2 & 3, Volvo Penta has chosen to focus on a solution consisting of a robust engine construction with low complexity. Together with the injection system, the robust engine design contributed to efficient combustion and lowered fuel consumption. The low complexity engine leads to the benefit of easier installation and maximized uptime.
Cummins, Kohler, MTU
Our ranges of Cummins, Kohler, and MTU fixed-speed diesel engines are available with ratings from Tier 2 to Tier 4 (on request).
Exhaust Control Industries (eci)
Exhaust Control Industries Australia (ECI) has been developing innovative pollution and noise control technology for over 30 years.
Viking Industrial works closely with eci to offer an extensive range of pollution and noise control solutions that can be fitted to any generator in our range.
Solutions include:
- Oxidation Catalyst Systems (also known as Catalytic Purifiers) and Coatings
Used to reduce harmful gas emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons - Predator Particulate Catalyst
Designed to trap particulate matter by up to 70% - Armour Tech Diesel Particulate Filters
Offering the highest DPM reduction available on the market
For More Information
The Viking Industrial team understands the varied requirements for emission level reduction across a range of industries in Australia and New Zealand.
Speak to one of our team to discuss how we can help power your project in a way that’s cost-effective, environmentally responsible and meets the required guidelines.