Tag:power=generator

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Public-images-osm logo.svg power = generator
Eoliennes Gaspesie.jpg
Description
A device which converts one form of energy to another, for example, an electrical generator. Show/edit corresponding data item.
Rendering in OSM Carto
Area power.png
Group: power
Used on these elements
may be used on nodesmay be used on waysmay be used on areas (and multipolygon relations)should not be used on relations (except multipolygon relations)
Useful combination
Status: approvedPage for proposal

A  generator (IEC 151-13-35) is a device which converts one form of energy to another.

Generators often form part of a power plant. However, small independent generators (such as domestic solar panels), especially those generating less than 1 MW, should not be tagged as a power plant. This is known as distributed generation.

The generator itself should be tagged, if visible (such as a wind turbine or solar panel). If the generator is contained within a building (such as with a nuclear reactor or hydroelectric turbine), the generator can be tagged as a node, or the smallest building containing the generator can be tagged.

Commonly used tags

Key Value
power generator
generator:source Power source of the generator
generator:method Method of power generation
generator:type Type of generator
generator:plant When the generator is part of a power plant, use output when it produces output power of the plant or intermediate when it only feeds other generators.
name Given name of the generator
operator Operator's name
generator:output:* Nominal maximum output power (rated power) of the generator
frequency The frequency generated by the generator. This should be used if the generator is known to operate at a different frequency from the national transmission grid, for example to supply traction power to a railway.

How to map

If the generator forms part of a power plant, map that first as power=plant with another independent feature.

Geometry

Add a node at the centre of the power generator or preferably create an area around the boundary of the generator using aerial photography if available. Solar panels can be wall integrated and can be tagged on a way as part of the wall.

Tag with power=generator and also a name=* and operator=* if known.

If the generator is part of a power plant, use power=plant to tag the whole facility.

Energy source

The energy source for the generator should be identified using the generator:source=* tag (power_source=* is obsolete).

See generator:source=* for a complete list of approved values

Method of generation

The tag generator:method=* is used to describe the technical process or method used to convert the energy source into the energy output.

See generator:method=* for a complete list of approved values.

Type of generator

A new attribute is added, generator:type=*. This attribute is intended to define the type of generator among a single source/method. As a concrete example of what a type is, think about of rendering a map of all nuclear reactors of the same type as those used in Fukushima.

See generator:type=* for a complete list of approved values.

Output power rating

The tag generator:output:*=* can be used to specify the forms of energy generated, and the rating if known. You can simply use yes as a value if the precise numerical rating is unknown.

generator:output:electricity=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:heat=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:hot_water=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:hot_air=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:cold_water=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:cold_air=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:compressed_air=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:steam=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:vacuum=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:biogas=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW
generator:output:hydrogen=* yes / x W / x kW / x MW / x GW

History

This tag was historically used to map whole power plants, often as an area. In 2013 the power refinement proposal introduced power=plant for such features..

Examples

To tag a 15 MW biomass gasification combined-heat-and-power generator use:

Key Value
power generator
generator:source biomass
generator:method anaerobic_digestion
generator:plant output
name biomass generator usual name (see also ref=*)
operator operator's name
generator:output:electricity 5 MW or yes if unknown
generator:output:hot_water 10 MW or yes if unknown

Or to tag a solar thermal panel use:

Key Value
power generator
generator:source solar
generator:method thermal
generator:type solar_thermal_collector
generator:plant output
name thermal solar panel usual name (see also ref=*)
operator operator's name
generator:output:hot_water 200 kW or yes if unknown
generator:solar:tracking type of solar tracker or no

Or to tag a wind turbine (a modern electricity-generating wind mill):

Key Value
power generator
generator:source wind
generator:type horizontal_axis
generator:plant output
height height=133 - total height including rotor radius (note: some mappers have tagged the height of the centre of the rotor instead)
rotor:diameter rotor:diameter=60 - rotor diameter is 60 meters
name modern windmill usual name (see also ref=*)
operator operator's name
generator:output:electricity 3 MW or yes if unknown

Maps rendering

See also