Most people understand the principle of a generator, that in some way it is a form of storage for electricity that is not connected to a grid or network. This means it can produce electricity either in an emergency, or if for some other reason, it is not possible to connect to a mains supply.
Given the dependency people have in todays world on technology, much of which needs to be continually recharged, electricity becomes a more and more vital necessity for peoples lives.
Generators however differ significantly in terms of size, different types of fuel and what they can be used for.
All types can potentially be used in construction and agricultural work, the specific type and usage will depend on the construction project or the type of agricultural land they are being used on.
Below is a list of the most common types of generators, both stand alone and portable, and a brief description of what they are mainly used for.
Diesel generators
These are normally quite large generators and may be thought of as permanent fixtures in certain areas of a building or land. Run on diesel, they are normally very reliable and efficient, and can be used in a number of different settings, including industrial, commercial and residential properties and buildings.
In construction work they can provide a vital standby for buildings like hospitals, chemical facilities, and increasingly for buildings where web servers are stored.
Gasoline Generators
These are normally thought of as portable generators that run on gas or gasoline. They are generally quite small and often portable. They can be used for a range of different outside activities, such as camping and RV exploration.
They can be used where there is no primary source of electricity, and also as a backup on a temporary basis for small appliances, often in the event of something like storm or flood damage.
Natural Gas Generators
These are often similar in size and usage to diesel generators as well as some gasoline generators, and are preferred where possible because of their cleaner emissions. They normally have to be powered by natural gas which can only come through pipelines.
Whilst this makes them preferable to use from a climate point of view, it can also make them more difficult to be used because the location of the generator is dependent upon where the pipeline ends.
Propane Generators
These are generators that run on propane gas, which is normally stored in various sizes of tanks. Propane is a reliable source of fuel, and these type of generators are often used in areas where it is difficult to find any other source of fuel.
Propane gas can be delivered, subject to both availability and ease of access, and once in place is a stable and secure source of fuel, making propane generators a reliable alternative to more costly diesel and gasoline generators.
Hydrogen Generators
Hydrogen generators are based on the principle of electrolysis, which splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen by using an electric current.
This is a clean and renewable source of energy, and although slightly more costly then other forms of fuel such as diesel or gasoline, is preferred by many people because of its environmental value.
These types of generators are often used for buildings and construction projects where environmental concerns are often the primary consideration.
This is especially true nowadays in a lot of new builds, where the environmental impact forms a major part of the construction projects costs and viability.
Wind Turbines
Not always thought of as generators but they most definitely are. Some people love the way they look, other people dislike them intensely.They are however one of the oldest renewable types of energy that exists.
Wind turbines are often located offshore, although there are onshore ones as well, and are obviously weather dependent. They are however a very reliable source of power generation and are used in a number of different sized projects, both residential and commercial.
Solar Generators
Think solar panels and other types of solar solutions, and solar generators are probably the most environmentally friendly form of generating electricity.
They can be used either in large scale commercial buildings and projects, or in smaller residential homes and buildings.
Solar generators can also be used in a way smaller to portable gasoline generators for things like camping, and exploring areas where there is no natural electricity available.