Propane Council Joins Partners to Stress Energy Resiliency at POWERGEN International

Washington (Jan. 17, 2024) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging utility and commercial facilities to learn more about propane for critical power generation systems during POWERGEN International in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 22-24, 2024.

“Propane is a clean and reliable energy option that is ideal for prime or backup power generation systems,” said Gavin Hale, director of product development and power generation at PERC. “Whether it’s a microgrid, a towable or backup generator, or a combined heat and power (CHP) system, propane provides resiliency by also working in tandem with other energy sources like solar, electric and battery power to ensure continuous operation for all users.”

For show attendees, there will be a press conference at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, in PERC’s booth 2308, where Hale will be joined by key partners to discuss propane’s role in the latest remote power systems.

As innovation in propane technology continues to advance, renewable propane is quickly becoming a viable energy source for power needs throughout the country. At 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, in the New Energy Mix & Microgrid Knowledge HUB #217, Hale will share “Renewable Propane: The New and Cleaner Energy Option to Power a Microgrid” and dive into the role that propane plays in the path to zero.

Made from a variety of renewable feedstocks, such as camelina plant oil, used cooking oil or animal fats, the carbon intensity of renewable propane scores between 20.5 and 43.5 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule (gCO2e/MJ), depending on the feedstock. Comparatively, the carbon intensity score of conventional propane is 80 gCO2e/MJ, diesel is 100 gCO2e/MJ, and gasoline is 101 gCO2e/MJ.

The chemical structure and physical properties of renewable propane are the same as traditional propane, meaning it can be used for all the same applications without any modifications to engines or equipment. Because it can be used alone or in innovative blends with other low-carbon energy sources, including conventional propane, renewable propane is further reducing carbon emissions and ensuring resiliency without sacrificing on performance.

“Propane is clean, and renewable propane is cleaner,” said Hale. “With half the carbon intensity of standard propane, renewable propane is making the path to zero and near-zero emissions attainable within the next 15 years.”

To learn more about propane power generation options, stop by PERC’s booth #2308 at POWERGEN International or visit propane.com/power-generation.