The Challenge
A facility operated three diesel generators consuming 28,000–32,000 liters annually. The facility's ESG team was trying to quantify Scope 1 (direct) emissions for sustainability reporting but had no systematic way to track generator emissions.
What Became Visible
Fuel consumption tracking revealed that diesel generators consumed 30,400 liters annually, translating to 7.0 tons of CO2 per 1,000 liters × 30.4 = 85 tons of CO2 annually. This was the facility's second-largest source of direct emissions (after fleet vehicles). The facility had been reporting ESG data without knowing generators contributed this much to carbon footprint.
What Changed
Emissions tracking integrated into generator fuel monitoring. Carbon intensity (kg CO2 per liter) calculated automatically. Emissions reduction strategy implemented: maximize solar use, minimize unnecessary DG operation, optimize diesel-grid-solar mix.
How it worked: The facility: (1) Increased solar self-consumption from 32% to 58% (reduced grid + DG dependency). (2) Eliminated unnecessary DG operation during low-cost grid periods. (3) Optimized DG operation to fuel-efficient load ranges (75–90% vs 20–35%). Combined strategy reduced DG fuel consumption from 30,400 to 17,600 liters annually — a 42% reduction.
Results
−42% reduction
annual
quantified and tracked
ESG reporting impact
Diesel generator emissions are invisible until measured. Quantifying carbon impact often reveals that generators are the facility's second or third largest emissions source after direct production or fleet vehicles.
Operational Reality
Most facilities discover significant emissions reduction opportunities (20–40%) when they optimize energy source selection (solar vs grid vs diesel) for both cost and carbon.