Wiktionary
n. Any electricity generator powered by a diesel engine
Wikipedia
A diesel generator is the combination of a diesel engine with an electric generator (often an alternator) to generate electrical energy. This is a specific case of engine-generator. A diesel compression-ignition engine often is designed to run on fuel oil, but some types are adapted for other liquid fuels or natural gas.
Diesel generating sets are used in places without connection to a power grid, or as emergency power-supply if the grid fails, as well as for more complex applications such as peak-lopping, grid support and export to the power grid.
Sizing of diesel generators is critical to avoid low-load or a shortage of power and is complicated by modern electronics, specifically non-linear loads. In size ranges around 50 MW and above, an open cycle gas turbine is more efficient at full load than an array of diesel engines, and far more compact, with comparable capital costs; but for regular part-loading, even at these power levels, diesel arrays are sometimes preferred to open cycle gas turbines, due to their superior efficiencies.
Usage examples of "diesel generator".
The diesel generator that had broken down was severely damaged, it seemed, and one of the others was running rough.
They glowed dimly, their limited power coming from the town's overworked diesel generator.
He passes by a restaurant with a squat concrete blockhouse in front, its openings covered with blackened steel grates, rusty exhaust pipes sticking out the top to vent the diesel generator locked inside.
The racket of a large diesel generator sounded from somewhere behind the icehouse and an overwhelming scent of fish and rotting weeds was being carried away on the strong southwest wind.
With a sudden chugging rumble, they heard the first diesel generator come to life.
I headed straight for the equipment hut where the diesel generator was thudding away reassuringly for it was unlikely that anyone of us would be missed-no one would probably be aware of the presence of any other than his immediate neighbours--and the best place to sit out a wild goose chase was the warmest and most sheltered spot I could find.
Probably a diesel generator system, by the look of this exhaust plume.
I've increased her power plant by adding a Diesel generator I got from Navy surplus.
First thing we did was get the emergency diesel generator going and light off the burners in the furnace to heat the fuel oil.
The drone of the diesel generator drifted to them from time to time.