Diesel generator
Diesel generator set
Diesel generator set
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[thumb\|Diesel generator on an oil tanker.](/wiki/Image:Diesel_generator_on_an_oil_tanker.jpg "Diesel generator on an oil tanker.jpg")

The packaged combination of a [diesel engine](/wiki/Diesel_engine "Diesel engine"), a [generator](/wiki/Electric_generator "Electric generator"), and various auxiliary devices (such as a base, canopy, sound attenuation, [control systems](/wiki/Control_system "Control system"), [circuit breakers](/wiki/Circuit_breaker "Circuit breaker"), jacket water heaters, and starting system) is referred to as a "generating set" or a "Genset" in short.

Set sizes range from 8 to 30\-kW (also 8 to 30\-kVA [single phase](/wiki/Single-phase_generator "Single-phase generator")) for homes, small shops, and offices, with the larger industrial generators from 8\-kW (11 kVA) up to 2,000\-kW (2,500\-kVA three phase) used for office complexes, factories, and other industrial facilities. A 2,000\-kW set can be housed in a  ISO container with a fuel tank, controls, power distribution equipment, and all other equipment needed to operate as a standalone power station or as a standby backup to grid power. These units, referred to as power modules, are gensets on large triple axle trailers weighing  or more.

A combination of these modules is used for small power stations, and these may use from one to 20 units per power section, these sections can be combined to involve hundreds of power modules. In these larger sizes, the power modules (engine and generator) are brought to the site on trailers separately and are connected with large cables and a control cable to form a complete synchronized [power plant](/wiki/Power_station "Power station").
Several options also exist to tailor specific needs, including control panels for AutoStart and mains paralleling, acoustic canopies for fixed or mobile applications, ventilation equipment, fuel supply systems, exhaust systems, etc.

Diesel generators are not only for emergency power but may also have a secondary function of feeding power to utility grids either during peak periods or periods when there is a shortage of large power generators. In the UK, this program is run by the national grid and is called STOR. 

[Ships](/wiki/Merchant_ship%23Dry_cargo_ships "Merchant ship#Dry cargo ships") often also employ diesel generators, sometimes not only to provide auxiliary power for lights, fans, etc. but also indirectly for main [propulsion](/wiki/Propulsion "Propulsion"). With electric propulsion, the generators can be placed in a convenient position, to allow more cargo to be carried. Electric drives for ships were developed before [World War I](/wiki/World_War_I "World War I"). Electric drives were specified in many warships built during [World War II](/wiki/World_War_II "World War II") because manufacturing capacity for large reduction gears was in short supply, compared to the capacity for the manufacture of electrical equipment.[http://www2\.sea.siemens.com/Industry%20Solutions/Marine](http://www2.sea.siemens.com/Industry%20Solutions/Marine)  Such a [diesel\-electric](/wiki/Diesel-electric_transmission "Diesel-electric transmission") arrangement is also used in some very large land vehicles, such as [railroad](/wiki/Rail_transport "Rail transport") [locomotives](/wiki/Locomotive "Locomotive").


What are the advantages of using electric propulsion in ships?