Tag:power=generator
 power = generator
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| Description |
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A device which converts one form of energy to another, for example, an electrical generator. 
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| Rendering in openstreetmap-carto |
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| Group: Power |
| Used on these elements |
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| Useful combination |
| Incompatible with |
Status: approved
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| Tools for this tag |
| Wikidata |
| Q131502 |
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 independant feature.
Geometry
Add a 
at the centre of the power generator or preferably create an 
around the boundary of the generator using aerial photography if available. 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.
Power generators can output multiple forms of energy. For example, a boiler will only output hot water, but a combined heat and power plant will typically output hot water and electricity. Add as many values as are relevant.
If the rating of the output is known, add a numerical value followed by the unit. Otherwise simply add 'yes'.
| 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 . 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 | gasification |
| generator:type | gas_turbine |
| 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 |
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 center of the rotor instead) |
| rotor:diameter | rotor:diameter=60 - rotor diameter is 60 meters |
| name | modern wind mill usual name (see also ref=*) |
| operator | operator's name |
| generator:output:electricity | 3 MW or yes if unknown |
Maps rendering Power Generators
See also
- Proposed_features/Power_plants - (2008) original power_source=* proposal.
- Proposed_features/generator_rationalisation - (2010) later proposal to expand and rationalise power generator tagging
- Power refinement proposal (2013)