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 OSM Carto |
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| Group: Power |
| Used on these elements |
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| Useful combination |
Status: approved
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| Tools for this tag |
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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 
at the centre of the power generator or preferably create an 
around the boundary of the generator using aerial photography if available. Solar panels can be wall integrated and can be tagged on a 
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.
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 centre 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
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)