Caterpillar has announced the launch of the Cat ECS, a suite of integrated, connected and scalable controllers. The Cat ECS allows customers to manage energy needs ranging from a single generator set to cohesive, full site microgrid solutions linking multiple assets.
Designed and tested by global Caterpillar experts, the new Cat ECS portfolio addresses current and future regulatory and grid requirements. The controllers utilize a simple, scalable architecture, allowing customers to layer additional functionality and serviceability with their changing energy needs. Additionally, they offer built-in plug-and-play features to facilitate the installation, commissioning and management of multiple power generation assets.
“As the energy landscape evolves, power systems are becoming increasingly complex, utilizing multiple energy sources and grid interfaces,” said Jason Kaiser, senior vice president for Caterpillar’s electric power division. “The Cat ECS provides the integration, scalability and connected features to maximize power system performance while also simplifying specification, installation and operation.”
Cat ECS Solutions
The range includes the Cat ECS 100, a powerful, value-added standby control system, available from October on new standby, gas fast-response and prime power generator sets in select regions of North America. It offers numerous features including intuitive, smart-screen navigation that can be tailored to customer needs, enhanced programmable logic controller (PLC) functionality, four remote HMIs, auto-mains failure, and an integrated annunciator function.
Furthermore, the Cat ECS 100 controller meets UL 6200 standards, which enables 60Hz generator sets to meet UL 2200 3rd edition. In addition to low voltage, it allows medium and high voltage configurations to be UL 2200 listed.
The Cat ECS 200 adds generator set paralleling capability, along with product updates for advanced features, such as combined heat and power (CHP) system management, Balance of Plant control and grid upgrades.
The Cat ECS 300 provides utility and distribution breaker control and can be customized for virtually any application, including tie breakers, and the Cat ECS 400 layers on full microgrid asset supervisory control.
For customers in North America the Cat ECS range also offers streamlined integration of power assets with the Cat Active Management Platform (AMP), a proven distributed energy resources management system (DERMS) that monitors, manages and monetizes on-site energy assets, including natural gas and renewable power generation, storage and microgrids.
Following the launch of the Cat ECS 100 this month, the portfolio of controllers will be rolled out globally throughout 2024, along with retrofit kit options for the Cat ECS 100 in early summer for select installed units in the field.
IRONPROS Perspective
Power management solutions, like Cat's next-gen ECS products, are designed to support the evolving electrical needs of construction sites. This comes at a time where work vehicles and fleets are transitioning to electric power. More contractors have also been using battery chargers in work areas to power cordless tools.
Electric equipment requires seamless power distribution to keep them charged and ready to use. Specifically, distribution equipment is needed to step down power from the grid (typically a low- or medium-voltage transformer), such as 600V or 480V, to usable commercial voltages compatible with construction equipment, such as 208V or 120V. These solutions should have the capacity to handle large loads to cater to the increasing demand of electric tools and vehicles in worksites.
In addition to allocating power, Cat's ECS products can help protect electric equipment from sudden failure stemming from voltage spikes or exposure to incompatible voltages.
Learn about Caterpillar and the company's products on IRONPROS.
