July 13, 2022
The ramifications of climate change have significant implications for business, often in the form of environmental compliance. But in remote industrial and commercial operations, it can be a challenge to go green.
Historically, parts of Canada have trusted diesel power for its off-grid reliability. However, it’s an expensive fuel that emits high levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs), which are being increasingly regulated by governments around the world. A major contributor to Canada’s GHG emissions, diesel also has a known risk for spills, which in turn have long-term environmental consequences and are difficult and costly to clean up.
A Reliable, Affordable Commercial Power Generation Solution Without the Environmental Cost
Many depending on off-grid remote power might think it’s simply too risky, expensive or disruptive to make an operational change like switching to another power supply. However, reducing emissions doesn’t necessarily require an immediate pivot to fully renewable energy sources, which may lead to reliability challenges and possible heavy capital investment. Propane is an alternative power generation solution delivering reliable prime power while requiring minimal investment.
Propane is a proven fuel with infrastructure that is readily accessible today. It’s a versatile choice that can integrate with a variety of traditional energy solutions as well as green technologies to provide continuous, reliable power while reducing overall fuel costs and environmental impact.
Propane Performance and Versatility
The importance of available, reliable and affordable power generation for both off-grid communities and remote industrial and commercial operations cannot be understated. It’s what you need. Propane has proven performance, well-developed infrastructure and rigorous safety standards. Readily available across Canada, it’s easily accessible no matter how remote your location, and deliveries are entirely scalable to meet your demands.
The benefits of a propane solution surpass that of diesel, and include multiple loading points, transportation routes and methods, redundancy planning across Canada, as well as a reliable quick-to-deploy supply.
An important benefit is propane engines’ robust and unfailing power requiring significantly less downtime than diesel, even in the most demanding operating conditions. For instance, direct-fired or electric vaporizers ensure optimal performance of your propane equipment even at extreme freezing temperatures.
Burning cleaner than diesel, propane solutions also lead to longer engine life and extended service intervals, without diesel’s risks of fuel gelling, degradation, or generator failure. In fact, a propane generator requires two to four times less servicing, so your equipment stays in tip top shape – costing you less to maintain while providing continuous performance.
Propane Makes Economic Sense
Performance is crucial, but you also need your power solution to make financial sense. The costs of powering a remote location are significant, but businesses can realize significant savings when switching to propane.
With Superior Propane, you can reduce operating costs by up to 30% due to fuel cost savings and less equipment maintenance. More specifically, propane can reduce fuel costs by up to 40% compared to diesel. Propane can also be stored for the long term with zero degradation or contamination, saving on maintenance and equipment costs.
You’ll also see propane at a lower cost on carbon pricing programs versus diesel, since propane emits 15% fewer GHGs. That may seem insignificant today, but with the federal fuel surcharge expected to reach $170 per tonne in 2030, a lower-carbon emitting fuel like propane will make a significant difference. It is time to start thinking about lower-cost fuel and power options, especially if you aren’t ready or able to go fully renewable.
Furthermore, you don’t need contingency plans or budget for emergency remediation when using propane. Propane is a gaseous fuel stored in a tightly sealed, pressurized, puncture-resistant vessel. On the other hand, diesel is a liquid accessed with a screw-top lid that can be easily spilled during refuelling or if not properly sealed, which can lead to costly environmental damage and cleanup. In the very rare event propane is released, it disperses harmlessly into the air without the possibility of contaminating soil, air or ground water. Unlike diesel spills, there’s no damage to remediate.
In addition to cost savings and proven performance, there are many environmental benefits of using Superior Propane’s power generation solutions for powering your remote site.
Propane and the Environment
The rising cost of meeting regulatory compliance makes it harder for commercial industries to ignore the impacts of climate change. Because carbon emissions are a main cause of the climate crisis, industries that generate GHGs are subject to increasingly expensive compliance measures from regulating bodies like the federal government.
In the past, it’s been difficult for many commercial industries to move away from generating carbon emissions – especially in remote or off-grid areas. But propane power offers an efficient solution to reduce your emissions and help transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
In addition to being low-cost, accessible and reliable, propane discharges virtually no sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide or methane compared to diesel and other traditional fuels. In fact, propane emits 98% less particulate matter than diesel and it reduces your GHGs by up to 15%. This is especially significant in light of planned yearly increases to national carbon pricing until 2030 — every percent helps.
If you do plan to transition to renewable power like solar or wind, propane is perfectly poised to provide a backup or hybrid power system, since it’s compatible with greener technologies and devices. That way you can reduce emissions even further and maintain dependability, while eliminating the risks of diesel spills and its associated emissions.
Transitioning from diesel to a cleaner, more affordable propane power generation solution will help remote industry and communities across Canada while we move towards a sustainable energy future, without sacrificing reliability or compromising on cost.
Why Superior Propane?
As Canada’s leader and trusted propane supplier for over 70 years, Superior Propane has the proven expertise and unmatched reliability to help you tackle climate change and the challenges of regulatory compliance in your industry while improving your bottom line.
Our technical experts specialize in complex project applications and custom fitting for everything from mining and construction to aquaculture and forestry. We can tailor the solution you need, whether it’s primary, backup, temporary or hybrid power, or combined heat power (CHP).
Our trained and experienced technicians work closely with our partners and customers to design, build and service propane power systems anywhere in Canada. Working with over a third of Indigenous communities in Canada – many in remote regions that require off-grid power solutions – we are committed to including local knowledge in our solutions and generating long-term benefits for these communities.
We know there’s no room for error or downtime at remote locations, so with a national network for storage and distribution, we can rapidly deploy propane to remote areas and provide local maintenance support. Plus, we offer flexible financing and rental options, as well as support with training, commissioning and start-up.
Contact us today for an on-site needs analysis and a custom-built propane power generation system.
