Power August 2023 - 29

MICROGRID
that combustion of renewable propane
is net carbon neutral and does not contribute
to elevated atmospheric carbon
levels like the combustion of fossil fuels.
Because renewable propane's chemical
structure and physical properties are the
same as propane produced from fossil
fuels, renewable propane can be used
for all the same applications. As contractors
continue integrating backup power
solutions, including microgrids, propane
should be considered as the energy
source of choice to keep buildings operating
and emissions reduced.
Propane Is a Safe and Resilient
Energy Source
Microgrids help improve the resiliency
of local electricity distribution systems,
that's part of why they're growing in
popularity. They represent a groundbreaking
approach that has helped solve
several of the problems facing cities
across the U.S.
To provide an alternate power solution
to customers located in Mariposa
County, solar energy company BoxPower
and generator manufacturer Generac
provided solar PV with battery backup
and a propane generator as a solution
to reduce wildfires in one of California's
high-risk areas. Instead of ruggedizing
the transmission and distribution (T&D)
lines, which could cost more than $1 million
per mile in remote locations, electric
utilities deenergized the T&D lines and
installed these microgrid solutions to
avert forest fires (Figure 3).
Last year, nearly 800,000 people
across the U.S. woke up without power
on the morning of Christmas Eve following
Winter Storm Elliot. The power
went out in portions of Long Island, New
York, and a Public Service Electric & Gas
(PSE&G) utility line that fed a local grocery
store was impacted.
Luckily, a microgrid made up of two
propane-powered CHP units that produce
216 kW powered the store, allowing
the lights and the refrigerators to stay
on, even though nearby buildings went
dark. The microgrid's controls sensed
that utility power was out and seamlessly
put the microgrid in island mode.
During the PSE&G outage, which lasted
about 34 hours, the grocery store stayed
powered by the microgrid. The store not
only was able to sell groceries to the local
community but avoided losing food
that needed refrigeration.
In addition to providing backup power
generation, propane-powered CHP systems
can support microgrids by providAugust
2023 | POWER
3. Utilities are finding it safer and more economical to install microgrids with solar and propane-fueled
backup systems in remote areas rather than upgrading transmission lines to mitigate
wildfire concerns. Courtesy: PERC
ing district and facility heating, according
to data from PERC. CHP systems use
a propane-powered engine, a heat exchanger,
and a generator to create
electricity that powers a building. Simultaneously,
the heat from the unit is captured
by the heat exchanger and used to
channel thermal energy to applications
like space heating, water heating, and
dehumidification, to name a few. Using
both the electrical and thermal output of
the propane CHP system achieves syspropane-powered
CHP units, customers
get all the efficiency of onsite electrical
generation with all the efficiency of onsite
thermal generation. And, they don't
have to pay a demand charge or peak
rate from the electric utility company.
Ultimately, microgrid systems that utilize
a propane generator provide peace
of mind. Propane power generation
equipment used in microgrid applications
can help businesses increase safety
and resiliency allowing them to retain
Using both the electrical and thermal output
of the propane CHP system achieves
system efficiencies as high as 75%.
tem efficiencies as high as 75%.
A CHP system can be used within a
microgrid or on its own to create power
and heat. CHP units are ideal if on-site
power generation has become a high priority,
as most systems can be used for
standby power during grid-based power
outages. Because the unit runs on propane,
and many units can start without
power from the grid, it offers resilience
and energy independence in the event of
a power outage without the need for a
standby generator.
Propane enables customers to take
control of their energy storage. With
www.powermag.com
their clean operation even with a power
failure. Propane is an affordable, reliable
energy choice capable of delivering efficient,
on-site energy at all times. Replacing
diesel assets with propane-powered
equipment will
continue
to push us
toward significant air quality improvements
and decarbonization. To see more
of PERC's research supporting the benefits
of using propane in microgrid applications,
visit Propane.com/Research. ■
-Jim Bunsey (jim.bunsey@propane.com)
is the director of commercial business
development at the Propane
Education & Research Council.
29

https://www.Propane.com/Research http://www.powermag.com

Power August 2023

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