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Severe weather events, including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, extreme heat, and major winter storms are growing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. This significantly affects the country’s electrical grid and distribution infrastructure. Extreme weather increases electricity demand (e.g., heat waves increase electricity demand for cooling) but also makes it more difficult to supply power. Drought can reduce the amount of surface water available for cooling power plants, which reduces the electricity they can generate. High wind events, flooding, and wildfires can take down infrastructure.[1] Data shows there were 64% more major power outages during the decade from 2011 to 2021 than from 2000 to 2010. Between 2000 and 2021, about 83% of reported major outages in the U.S. were attributed to weather-related events.[2]
It is vital that commercial buildings are able to maintain operations during such events, not only for life-safety reasons, but because a loss in business or product can have major financial implications. A loss of refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning is a significant safety hazard for some, but it can also result in lost inventory, equipment, and infrastructure. Power generation that is independent of the electric grid can provide power and resilience during these severe weather events. Resilience is the ability to function after or during an ongoing natural disaster or accidental power outage.
Consider specifying a commercial propane standby generator or combined heat and power (CHP) unit with black start capabilities to offer your clients resilience and peace of mind that they will be able to fulfill orders, maintain inventory, and provide ongoing customer service in the face of catastrophe. A propane standby generator or CHP system can save a business thousands of dollars by keeping the doors open and the lights on. It allows businesses such as retail stores, manufacturing plants, healthcare, and hospitality facilities to:
- Resist hazards brought on by major disasters.
- Keep employees engaged and productive during what would otherwise be downtime.
- Continue providing necessary services and products to its customers.
- Reduce the magnitude or duration of a disruptive event.
Specifying Commercial Grade Generators
There are several options for commercial grade generators, including fuel type and delivery system. Backup generators are powered by either liquid (gasoline or diesel) or gas (propane or natural gas). The availability of these fuels and ability to replenish the supply after a natural hazard are key considerations. Diesel is the most common fuel used for backup generators, but it has some downsides. Diesel degrades over time and requires the addition of fuel additives to prevent degradation. Diesel generators require more maintenance and are more expensive. They also have greater emissions than propane-powered generators and importantly, diesel and gasoline rely on electric pumps for distribution, which can be compromised in a power outage.
Propane is a superior option because it is more readily available than diesel and has a longer shelf life since it doesn’t degrade over time. A propane generator is permanently installed and supplied by an above- or below-ground tank stored on-site. The generator starts automatically, usually in less than 10 seconds after a main power interruption. Propane generators are quiet, producing as little as 63 decibels of noise. They are available in a variety of capacities that can power everything from small businesses to hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and other large buildings. When planning for a propane-powered backup generator, a remote tank monitoring system can provide additional resilience, as it monitors fuel levels to ensure they are high when a significant weather event threatens. Knowing the tank is full provides business owners with additional security and peace of mind.
Propane generators can also help to meet carbon reduction goals and limit emissions, as propane is significantly cleaner than gasoline and diesel and is considered a clean alternative fuel by the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, propane is methane-free, emits extremely low levels of nitrogen oxides and virtually no particulate matter, and is becoming more available in its renewable form made from cooking waste products and plants.
Considering CHP Systems
To operate independently during a power outage, CHP systems must have four features:
- Black start capability, meaning an electric signal from a battery or backup generator to start operating in an outage.
- A generator capable of operating independently.
- Capacity that matches the critical loads in the facility.
- Parallel utility interconnection and switchgear control, which are required to transition to serve critical loads without overloading the generator capacity.
Boost Resilience for Commercial Clients with Propane Standby Generators
“Keeping the lights on” is an age-old adage for every business that now must be taken literally, as power outages and severe weather events are only going to increase in frequency and intensity unless there is a sea change in carbon emissions reduction. You have a role to play in preparing your clients for what lies ahead by ensuring backup power is incorporated into commercial buildings. Propane power generation via standby generators and combined heat and power systems could be the factor that makes or breaks a business.
