Caterpillar Unveils New G3500K Series Gas Generator Sets, Supporting Customers by Lowering Energy Costs

For Release: December 2024

IRVING, TEXAS – Caterpillar Inc. today launched the Cat® G3500K series of generator sets offering reliable, quick-response, high-efficiency power. The new series of gas generator sets can operate in demanding environments and are designed for a multitude of applications including prime and continuous power. The first product in the Cat G3500K series, the G3520K HR, is available today, and will be followed by the launch of four additional models later next year.

 The G3520K HR (High Response), the first product in the new series, is rated at 2.5 MW of continuous power and is available in 50 or 60 Hz packages. It starts quicker, accepts higher loads and ramps up to 100% load capacity faster than previous models. The G3520K HR can start, take on full load, and sync to the grid in 4.5 minutes, compared to 6 minutes for Caterpillar’s previous generation G3500H series. This improved response time enables our customers to get to full power more quickly, reducing the risk of unexpected downtime and creating immediate capacity when requested by the utility.

Customer benefits include:

• Full power output across all node configurations.
• Total engine efficiency of up to 89% making it ideal and cost effective for combined heat and power (CHP) applications.
• Significant fuel savings through industry-leading electric efficiency and improved thermal efficiency.

Responsiveness & Fuel Flexibility

The new Caterpillar G3500K series features improved reliability in a wider range of operating environments. The series is built for reliable power performance at high altitudes and in higher ambient temperatures, markedly improved over the previous generation.

“Our customers demand reliable, responsive power, and we designed the G3500K series to deliver that, even in challenging conditions,” said Melissa Busen, vice president for Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division. “This new range also delivers major savings across the board thanks to significant gains in efficiency and improvements in serviceability.”

The new series can run on natural gas and propane, while future releases will be capable of operating on biogas, coal mine methane and blends of up to 25% hydrogen, expanding the range of options for fuel.

Asset Monitoring and Further Savings

The series comes with readily available asset monitoring capabilities that provide insights to customers by offering predictive analytics to identify and prevent failures, ultimately avoiding the costly implications of downtime.

Customers can realize more economic benefits by leveraging the Cat Active Management Platform (Cat AMP), Caterpillar’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) offering. The Cat AMP technology can manage both existing and new assets, and it can help customers optimize their energy usage by working with the utility to lower their energy costs and participate in energy market programs.

Flexible Energy Management

The new Cat G3500K series comes standard with enhanced controls and diagnostics. Caterpillar is the only OEM offering fully in-house control solutions, avoiding the need for a third-party integrator. All models are paired with the Cat Energy Control System (ECS) for energy management that meets new global grid code and regulatory requirements.

A suite of integrated, connected, scalable controllers, Cat ECS can evolve as energy needs change, from a single generator to a cohesive site-wide microgrid solution with multiple linked assets. The system monitors fluids, temperature and gas pressure and offers warnings, automatic shutdown, voltage data and event history to help avoid problems and downtime.

For more information, visit https://www.cat.com/en_AU/products/new/power-systems/electric-power/gas-generator-sets.html