Written on: September 25, 2024
As we’ve discussed in detail, the push for widespread electrification of American homes, businesses and roadways presents a series of significant challenges. Chief among these is the cleanliness and reliability of our nation’s electrical grids.
Over half of U.S. power generation comes from coal and natural gas. The average U.S. grid-based electricity has a much higher carbon intensity score than diesel, heating oil, gasoline, natural or conventional propane.
The U.S. also suffers more power outages than any other developed nation on the planet. Simply put, our existing electrical infrastructure can’t handle existing demand. And that issue will get worse with increased demand from heat pumps and electric vehicles — not to mention the fact that many states are getting rid of traditional generation sources in favor of less tested renewable options.
However, conventional propane and renewable propane are increasingly becoming a solution to add more power to meet residential, commercial and transportation needs — plus lower the carbon impact of power generation.
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) stated that the industry aims to grow its role in power generation by 12% over the next five years. Here are some of the promising ways propane can revolutionize how we get our electricity.
Gavin Hale, director of product development and power generation for PERC, recently told LP Gas Magazine that “Combined heat and power (CHP) from a commercial standpoint is very viable. We’ve got some good projects around the U.S. for businesses that are, say, 50 kilowatts and above. The technology around CHP scales very well for that.”
He specifically noted that electricity-intensive data centers currently served with diesel-sourced power are a good market to consider. (The rise of data-intensive AI will only make the demand stronger.)
Propane generation can offer a lower-carbon option that would buttress grid capabilities, especially in parts of the country without access to a natural gas pipeline.
Every year, we see more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, plus mandates to convert buses and other municipal vehicles to electricity. Many rural areas lack the power infrastructure required to support EV charging needs. Building this infrastructure isn’t always economically viable in areas with lower population densities and fewer vehicles.
An emerging alternative solution is off-grid EV charging stations powered by propane and renewable propane. Propane generators can produce up to 240 kW of 480V power, sufficient to charge multiple EVs. This provides a reliable, efficient and low-carbon option for a rapidly changing transportation sector.
Microgrids are local power sources that can operate independently of the traditional grid. They distribute electricity sourced from solar panels, wind turbines and generators, which provide power during outages.
Diesel generators are commonly used in microgrids for residential and commercial purposes, but propane is a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option. In Mariposa County, CA, BoxPower and Generac created a microgrid using solar technology, battery backup and a propane generator to reduce wildfire risks. This solution is more affordable than strengthening transmission lines, which can cost over $1 million per mile.
We know that conventional propane is a clean-burning fuel with low carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide and particulate emissions — and zero methane emissions. Renewable propane further reduces carbon intensity, outperforming the energy grids of 49 states.
A combination of propane, renewable propane and other renewable blends could provide dedicated electricity generation for the growing demand of data centers, EVs, and communities without easy access to the traditional grid — all with a low carbon impact that will only decrease as rPG’s production grows.
Want to stay up to date on the growing role of renewable propane in decarbonizing the U.S.? Become a member of the Renewable Propane Alliance.