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Increased electric power demand puts significant stress on our already-overworked grid infrastructure. One way to alleviate strain on the grid is for cooling applications to use propane instead of electricity. Propane cooling systems significantly reduce electricity requirements, making them ideal in areas with high electric rates and limited infrastructure.
The technology of propane cooling is the same as other systems and has been used for decades — it’s simply the fuel used to engage the compressor or ignite the gas burner that is different. Propane cooling systems are readily available on the market today in sizes ranging from 5 to 400 tons. They have numerous end uses, from comfort cooling to process cooling to refrigeration, and operate well in a wide range of ambient conditions, providing the flexibility of gas cooling systems in various climates and environments.
How Propane Cooling Works – Mechanical vs. Thermal Process
There are two types of propane or gas cooling systems: engine-driven and absorption. A typical electric air conditioning system uses an electric motor to engage a compressor to pump refrigerant, while a gas-driven system uses a natural gas or propane engine to engage the compressor. The remainder of the cooling process is the same, except gas is the primary energy used to start the process rather than electricity. This is a mechanical process.
Absorption, on the other hand, is a thermal process. An absorption cooling system uses a gas burner to ignite then heat a solution of water and ammonia. The ammonia has a lower boiling point so it boils off and becomes high-pressure water vapor. In this scenario, chilled water is used for cooling rather than a refrigerant. Engine-driven systems typically have larger tonnages and are used in commercial buildings. Very little electricity is required of these processes, which both provide grid relief, energy independence, and resiliency.
Commercial and Industrial Applications for Propane Cooling
Because of rising temperatures, air conditioning is now a necessity in many commercial buildings and regions that didn’t typically have large cooling loads. When building owners want to add cooling to schools, churches, offices, assisted living facilities, multifamily residences, healthcare, hospitality, or restaurants but don’t have the electric load to handle it, propane cooling steps in. In many regions, it is more economical to incorporate a propane tank and propane cooling system because it does not require large capital infrastructure upgrades to the electrical panel or substation.
In the past, propane cooling was primarily used in greenhouses due to its efficient dehumidification, but there are many other applications for process cooling, particularly in remote areas. Large scale gas cooling installations can include wineries, distilleries, breweries, and indoor agriculture projects. Other businesses have equipment that must be cooled, such as server rooms, commercial printing facilities, dry cleaning facilities, and MRI machines in hospitals, among others. Industrial and commercial applications such as these require a great deal of process cooling and the resulting electric rates can be astronomical. Propane cooling, on the other hand, offers market-specific operational cost savings.
An added bonus is that in large commercial systems, multiple units can operate independently, which provides redundancy if one unit goes down. This is especially vital for commercial businesses who will lose profit if operations are interrupted or equipment is damaged. There are also options to recover hot water from the cooling process and reuse it in process applications. Instead of having two pieces of equipment, such as a furnace or boiler and air conditioner, you can have one system that does both.
Resiliency, Grid Relief, and Spark Spread
In some markets, it’s a lot less expensive to run propane than electric to gain the same amount of energy. This is called “spark spread,” or the difference between the wholesale market price of electricity and its cost of production using propane gas. Propane cooling is particularly viable in green states with high electric rates, lower propane rates, and limited electric infrastructure because:
- Propane cooling reduces electric requirements and avoids costly infrastructure upgrades.
- It can provide grid relief and allows commercial building owners to add other electrical loads such as car chargers and electric water heaters rather than using those loads for cooling.
- Backup power is vital for many of these applications, so having an appropriately-sized propane backup generator is key. When they are propane-powered, the size of backup generators can be reduced, and there is potential for complete off-grid operation.
- Propane cooling reduces reliance on coal and natural gas to produce electricity. As a clean energy source with low carbon emissions, propane can provide substantial emissions reductions and environmental benefits.
Learn more about propane for commercial buildings and construction.
