Energy Solutions for Prime, Back-Up, and Microgrids  

All photos and images courtesy of the Propane Education & Research Council

Clean, reliable, and abundant energy sources build the bridge for success. To ensure project success, designs should anticipate how a building may need to adapt to uncertain energy conditions.

Confronting the Energy Challenges of Today

On March 25, 2025, during a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, the nation’s top grid officials testified that the U.S. power system is under growing strain. Following this testimony, an Executive Order was issued in April 2025, Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid, requesting an analysis of the U.S. power system’s ability to support new load growth by 2030. On July 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its findings.¹

In summary, the DOE report states that, absent decisive intervention, the nation’s power grid will be unable to meet projected demand for manufacturing, re-industrialization, and data centers driving artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. The combined impact of plant closures, an overreliance on intermittent energy sources, and data center growth has highlighted the urgent need for increasing dispatchable energy output.

“This report affirms what we already know: The United States cannot afford to continue down the unstable and dangerous path of energy subtraction that previous leaders pursued, forcing the closure of baseload power sources like coal and natural gas,” United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “In the coming years, America’s reindustrialization and the AI race will require a significantly larger supply of around-the-clock, reliable, and uninterrupted power.”² 

The DOE report estimates that an additional 100 GW of new peak-hour supply is needed by 2030.³ Load growth today is accelerating at a rate not seen in decades. The energy infrastructure industry, which is accustomed to moderate to zero load growth, will be forced to innovate to keep up with the demand. According to the report, capacity is not being replaced on a one-to-one basis, and this loss of capacity will lead to shortfalls during periods of low intermittent renewable power generation. To illustrate this point, the DOE report assumes 104 GW of announced plant closures by 2030 will be met with 210 GW of new generation; however, only 22 GW of that new generation will be firm, reliable, dispatchable generation that is available 24/7.⁴

Of the projected 100 GW of new peak-hour supply needed by 2030, 50 GW of that demand is directly attributable to data centers. While data centers can be built in 18 months, it takes more than three times as long to add the new generation required to service those centers.⁵ Infrastructure costs to build grid improvements, additional facilities, or extend service are very costly and require a long time for completion.

Ultimately, the DOE warns that retirements plus load growth increase the risk of power outages 100 times in 2030. Even assuming no retirements, the model found that outage risk in several regions rises more than thirty-fold, proving the queue alone cannot close the dependable-capacity deficit.⁶

DOE’s analysis shows that, if current retirement schedules and incremental additions remain unchanged, most regions will face unacceptable reliability risks within five years. This compromises both grid stability and the ability to innovate.

Propane power is stored on-site and has an indefinite shelf life, so it can provide reliable power to businesses and communities even when the electric grid or other options fail.

New Answers for the Energy Dilemmas of Today (and Tomorrow)

Baseload, dispatchable power will be essential in grid planning.

Carbon emissions are being reduced thanks to liquid fuels like propane and natural gas. In fact, utilities in the southern U.S. have filed requests to add 19,000 megawatts of lower carbon-intensive natural gas-generated power⁷. Propane can play an important role in introducing dependable and resilient power to new and existing projects. Propane produces fewer emissions than the average of the U.S. grid. Nearly 60 percent of current U.S. grid electricity is generated by coal or other fossil fuel sources. Propane produces significantly fewer emissions, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Comparison of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced per unit of energy of major fuel sources.

Propane can be utilized in places not served by natural gas infrastructure and is becoming a mainstay for applications like standby power. In addition, ports like Long Beach in California are using more propane in their operations as part of their long-term emission goals. Propane technology is available now to support prime power, back-up power, and microgrid use. Propane is safe, reliable, affordable, and abundant. Propane is an energy-dense molecule that operates cleanly and can power countless household and business applications. It can be used to operate building system applications—such as water heating, building heating, and cooling—and can provide primary and backup power regardless of power outages or access to public utilities. These characteristics make it ideal for disaster preparedness and crucial for long-term recovery and resilience. Propane is stored on-site and has an indefinite shelf life, unlike diesel. It can provide reliable power to businesses and communities even when the electric grid or diesel fuel fails.

Based on data from the latest industry sales report, propane companies delivered 823 trillion Btus of energy into the marketplace in 2023. To put that amount in perspective, that is equivalent to the annual energy output of 330 million rooftop solar panels.

Ready for Prime Time: Using Propane for Large-Scale Applications

Propane offers a scalable and resilient energy solution to numerous applications in buildings of any size. With the flexibility and shelf-ready appeal of these options, commercial and industrial companies can adopt energy possibilities, like propane, that are reliable and affordable, while also meeting stringent emissions standards.

Propane’s adaptability allows it to fuel small appliances and heavy industrial campuses alike. Being stored on site for power generation also guarantees resilience.

Prime Power

Propane prime power generators are exactly what they sound like: The primary source of power for heavy-duty commercial and industrial applications that are isolated, or choose to remain independent, from a central energy grid. These applications include everything from ag and food production operations to microgrids and even critical care facilities.

A prime power propane generator acts as the primary, continuous source of electricity for a location, rather than serving as a backup during outages. These prime generators are designed for long-term operation, delivering consistent power for commercial projects. Propane is chosen for its reliable, long-lasting fuel quality, its cleaner emissions profile, and and its flexibility for storage – propane is a non-toxic energy source that can be put to work anywhere. Prime power generators create power anywhere, at any time.

Propane prime power generators supply primary power in locations with no access to the electrical grid, or at times when cost or reliability make reliance on the grid impractical. Typically, these locations will still have some access to electricity, up to a certain threshold. Once that threshold is reached, the prime power generator makes up the difference for what power is needed. In areas or times when overloads to the grid may occur, these prime power systems can offset load demand, to the benefit of the utility and the user alike. Designing a prime power strategy keeps an operation running affordably and sustainably. The equipment is able to operate around the clock. Propane prime power generators have lifecycles from 30,000 hours up to 40,000 hours.

Propane prime power generators also improve a building’s carbon footprint by generating power on site, rather than purchasing it from the electric grid. Grid electricity is often less efficient and potentially fueled by dirtier energy sources, such as coal. It is much more efficient to generate electricity on site, which avoids transmission line losses.

Diverse Commercial Applications

Commercial operations each have a unique set of needs for their business demands and customers. Two of the key applications that can be directly powered by propane are water heating and space heating, but propane can also be used for cooling, commercial cooking, and additional uses.

Propane Water Heating

• Tankless Propane Water Heaters
• Storage Tank Water Heating

Propane Space Heating

• Furnaces
• Rooftop Units (RTUs)
• Boilers
• Cooling

Propane Water Heating

In grand-scale applications, commercial propane furnaces and water heaters provide reliable options for large buildings or those with a high demand for energy, making propane the most cost-effective fuel choice.

Propane tankless water heaters achieve energy factors as high as 98 percent and can be strategically combined into high-capacity banks. These tankless rack systems can vent outside using a common venting system and can be assembled off site, increasing the speed and ease of installation. They can also rotate the firing sequence of the water heaters, improving the system’s efficiency and life span.

Propane water heaters deliver hot water faster and more efficiently than electric models, helping reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. With superior performance and long-term savings, propane is a reliable choice for commercial water heating needs.

Propane boilers offer value in commercial building applications by providing both space-heating and hot-water needs with high efficiency levels, via consistent systems offering versatile designs. Commercial propane boilers are used to generate hot water or steam for various building applications. They can be categorized as either condensing or noncondensing types, with condensing units having higher efficiency ratings.

Space Heating and Conditioning

Commercial gas furnaces are self-contained units that supply heated air to condition a wide variety of buildings. Many commercial HVAC designs use commonly available propane furnaces that efficiently and effectively heat commercial spaces.

Propane furnaces offer designers great flexibility in both the type and capacity of the equipment, which makes them a good fit for many different commercial buildings. Smaller residential-scale units can range in capacity from 44,000 Btu/h up to 180,000 Btu/h, with efficiency levels of 80-98.5 percent AFUE. Larger units with capacities greater than 225,000 Btu/h are measured by their thermal efficiency and can reach capacities greater than 1 million Btu/h.

A critical feature of these furnaces is their ability to condition different zones of a building. This allows the use of multiple, smaller furnaces, often packaged as RTUs, to be installed to meet the heating needs of just one part of a building. Zoning offers improved efficiency and temperature control in the space, as well as modularity that can simplify installation and maintenance.

An efficient rooftop furnace can quickly and cost-effectively heat a small or midsize building, moving the unit outdoors and freeing up square footage within the facility. In these types of buildings, packaged RTUs are air conditioners with a propane or natural gas heating section. High-efficiency propane furnaces—generally those with efficiency levels above 90 percent annualized fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE)—capture additional heat from the combustion gases and use this to increase the heat transfer of the furnace for greater efficiency. A rooftop furnace can quickly and cost-effectively heat the space, and it can serve two or more different zones. Newer units have multiple stages and microprocessors to reduce energy costs, along with variable airflow to meet diverse heating loads.

Maintaining proper conditioning and power is important because of the value of items stored there, particularly for businesses with perishables, such as refrigerated and frozen items. Relying on on-site energy for conditioning offers peace of mind for operations.

Floor-level air-rotation systems can be used for heating facilities up to 150,000 square feet and cooling facilities as large as 100,000 square feet. Propane combustion provides thermal energy to the heat exchanger, while propane glycol is used for cooling purposes. These systems eliminate the need for multiple rooftop units, roof penetrations, and ductwork, and they can be completely operational within a day. For propane-fueled air conditioning, the cooling technology operates like a traditional, electric-powered system, and simply substitutes propane as the energy source to power the compressor or ignite the gas burner.

Propane cooling systems are readily available on the market today in sizes ranging from 5 to 400 tons. Cooling systems are measured in tonnage, versus a measurement in BTUs for heating systems. One ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs. The cooling tonnage required for a building is dependent on its geographical location. Cooling systems in regions with a hotter climate and longer cooling seasons require more tonnage. The building size will also play a significant role. Today, propane-powered cooling systems 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. 

Faced with rising electricity costs and frequent outages, commercial and industrial facilities are turning to propane combined heat and power (CHP) systems for an affordable and reliable energy solution. These CHP systems use propane-powered engines to generate on-site electricity while capturing thermal energy for heating and hot water. Excess electricity can be sent back to the grid, ensuring dependable heat and power without relying on the electric grid. Unlike centralized electrical generation plants that operate at only 33 percent efficiency, CHP systems capture heat and achieve total system efficiencies of 60-80 percent for producing electricity and useful thermal energy. Some systems can achieve efficiencies approaching 90 percent.  Almost no energy is lost as it travels from tank to application. The DOE Energy Star program gives propane a source site ratio of 1.01, compared to 3.03 for electricity from the grid. This means it takes 3.03 units of electricity to produce and deliver one unit of energy to a building, compared to only 1.01 for propane.

Products that offer efficiency, resilience, and safety to new and existing commercial projects alike provide an unparalleled value proposition. The security, efficiency, and environmental profile of propane provide it with unique advantages when compared to other energy sources, like electricity or heating oil. Choosing propane for a commercial project, whether small or large-scale, secures forward-thinking environmental benefits and lowered energy costs. Since propane is designed to be safely delivered and stored on site, it offers added security and resilience, whether for day-to-day operations or in case of emergencies, allowing businesses to remain productive and protect occupant safety and comfort. With numerous applications ready for installation today, including propane-powered heating and cooling, high-capacity water heaters, and backup generators, large buildings can keep all systems running comfortably and efficiently around the clock.

Solutions for Grid Relief

The ever-increasing demands and inadequate supply of electricity make propane a perfect alternative energy solution. Propane power reduces a facility’s electricity use. This increased bandwidth allows the addition of other powered applications, like EV charging stations, without pushing that application back to the grid. Propane can also be used to power EV stations directly. The reliability of the electric grid is also improved, particularly during peak heating or cooling season demand. Utilizing propane-powered equipment and building systems reduces the demand on the electric grid and allows businesses to avoid fluctuations in costs and availability during peak hours.

Additionally, for buildings looking to revitalize older neighborhoods or those built in rural areas, choosing propane frees the property from connecting to the grid or stressing a limited local infrastructure. Propane equipment provides clients with a more diverse choice of business locations.

Building the Future: Propane Applications for Backup and Microgrids

Propane provides a cleaner alternative for backup generators and microgrids. Microgrids provide a decentralized and distributed energy resource for buildings seeking partial or total grid independence. 

The threat of frequent power loss and disruption has design teams looking for alternatives. Large upfront capital outlays are also pushing U.S. markets to smaller, smarter, and cleaner resources to reduce financial risks. Commercial projects want reliable power solutions, while also prioritizing clean equipment with a low emissions profile. For those seeking resiliency, prime power, standard backup power, and microgrid designs offer predictability and protection.

Backup Power and Propane

According to an EnergySage study in 2024,⁸ the average financial loss to U.S. businesses due to power outages is estimated to be around $150 billion, with the exact cost depending on the business size and duration of the outage. 

Backup power is an additional power source that can be used in the event of a power failure. Backup power provides resilience to the incredible number of building systems, appliances, office tools, and other equipment that are powered by and reliant on electricity. There are many reasons a commercial building may select backup power: code requirements, for redundancy, enhanced energy or cost savings, energy independence, decentralized supply, environmental benefits, or simply to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. Even without mandated backup requirements, there may be other very good reasons for owners and occupants to consider the use of a backup system. About 75 percent of commercial businesses in the United States have backup generators.⁹

Most businesses select backup power technology in the form of a generator, which is essentially an engine that utilizes fuel to create electricity. Generators are an extremely common backup power technology with a long history. They come in many different sizes and capacities that can combust different fuel sources; in some cases, a generator can even operate on multiple fuels. The International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code (IBC) are two major building codes that dictate specific requirements for commercial buildings. The IFC and IBC requirements for emergency and standby power are coordinated with each other. Both of these codes refer back to the National Electric Code (NEC), which is also known as “NFPA 70” or the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard, for specific installation requirements for electrical systems.

After determining the building use and occupancy to see what types of backup power are required by code, various codes may also dictate the specifics of how and where power is provided.

Within Article 700 of the NEC, those systems designated as Emergency Power must have on-site fuel storage, be available within 10 seconds of a power failure, and testing of the system is required. The on-site fuel requirement is very important. Because this is an Emergency Power application, on-site fuel storage ensures that the generator is ready to operate and will not be subject to any upstream fuel reliability issues. In the past, this requirement was typically met by using diesel fuel stored on site. Today, propane stored on site provides an excellent and environmentally friendly alternative while also avoiding the maintenance and environmental challenges of diesel.  The loads that need to be supported by emergency power include emergency communication, smoke detectors, fire alarms, standpipes, egress lighting, and exit signs.

Article 701 of the NEC covers requirements when a Legally Required Standby Power system is designated. This section of the NEC entitles the obligations of the legally required standby power system, which will power systems or components that otherwise may create a hazard or hamper firefighting operations if they are not powered. The power from Legally Required Standby Power systems must be available within 60 seconds of a power failure and require testing of the system. While there is no on-site fuel requirement for Legally Required Standby Power, having this additional design measure adds reliability to the system. As with emergency power, legally required standby power requires that acceptance testing be performed upon installation, as well as periodic operation testing to maintain the system should it ever need to be activated.

The building systems that are required by code to be on standby power within the 60-second timeframe include:

• Ventilation systems;
• Elevators (or conveying systems);
• Fire command systems; and
• Access, which may include electronically controlled doors and windows.

Again, these are systems within the building that, if not powered, may create a hazard or hamper firefighting operations.

Critical Operations Power Systems, or COPS, are essentially “mission critical” systems that can actually include all three types of the previously mentioned backup power systems, meaning emergency power, legally required standby power, and optional standby power. COPS are regulated by Article 708 in the NEC. COPS are determined by the local, state, or federal government, and are generally installed in vital infrastructure facilities that, if destroyed or incapacitated, would disrupt national security, the economy, public health, or safety. They are also installed where enhanced electrical infrastructure for continuity of operation has been deemed necessary by a governmental authority.

The biggest difference for COPS systems is the requirement that the system can operate for 72 hours at full load capacity, with enough fuel stored on site to meet this requirement. Emergency and/or standby generators can be used as the alternate source of power in COPS. Storing enough fuel on site for 72 hours of full load run time will dictate the generator’s fuel tank size.  

Propane-powered generators provide distinct advantages for backup power. Propane offers scalability and performance to power any size of project or business. Propane offers many of the same benefits as natural gas, including its cost-effectiveness for smaller single-engine applications. Unlike natural gas, propane is stored on site, adding resilience and meeting on-site fuel storage where it is either required or desired. Propane does not degrade or oxidize over time like diesel. These factors mean there are no fuel maintenance issues with propane, which can be a major cost and operational benefit in backup power systems that either require or prefer on-site fuel storage. Propane can also serve in additional applications in the building. The design team can combine a propane generator with a suite of propane appliances to provide commercial clients with whole-building standby protection at an affordable price. Any type of system or appliance that could be served by natural gas readily accepts propane as a fuel. Some of the most common propane applications in commercial buildings include water heating, space heating, kitchens, laundry, and fireplaces. These are all applications where propane offers distinct cost and environmental advantages over electric options.

Propane’s environmental profile is also favorable compared to diesel, with lower NOx, particulate matter, and CO₂ emissions. These benefits are likely to become more significant over time, as emissions standards continue to grow more stringent.

Propane and Microgrids

A microgrid is a distributed energy system of localized energy with control capabilities that enable it to disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously. Microgrids combine one or more sources of distributed energy—solar panels, wind turbines, combined heat and power (CHP), and generators—producing power and often storing that energy for a complete solution. These solutions are critical during sudden or planned power outages.

Microgrids offer unique advantages. Unlike a standby generator, a microgrid can supply power to multiple buildings, or even an entire community or campus, in the event of a planned or unplanned main power grid outage. By collecting and storing electricity from renewable energy sources, the microgrid only uses its propane generator as needed, making it incredibly efficient and environmentally friendly. Every aspect of the microgrid’s performance is locally controlled at a centralized station, allowing for optimization. Distributed generation technologies in the form of resilient microgrids are projected to grow in importance, offering resiliency value to site hosts and grid services value to the larger grid. Dual-purpose microgrids offer long-duration resiliency at the customer site and can balance wholesale wind and other renewables on the larger grid.¹⁰ This duality is also possible at an affordable price point.

Microgrids are increasingly valuable for areas vulnerable to grid outages due to natural disasters or for locations where connecting to the main grid is cost prohibitive. Unlike simple backup generators, microgrids are intelligent systems that manage power supply and demand, allowing for optimized energy usage. They also support renewable integration and enhance energy independence, especially as severe weather events grow more frequent and utilities implement an increasing number of public safety power shutoffs.

“The energy transition must be clean, affordable, and reliable,” said Allan Schurr, Chief Commercial Officer of Enchanted Rock in Houston, Texas. “If we sacrifice any one of those, then we haven’t achieved an equitable transition. Microgrids can be cleaner than other backup systems and enable cleaner generation on the electric grid.”

Propane offers economic and environmental benefits that make it the best low-carbon energy source for microgrids. Easily stored and transported, propane provides additional power when renewable energy resources deployed with microgrids do not perform. A recent study from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) illustrates the benefits of using propane generators in hybrid microgrids. The analysis demonstrates that propane’s performance is competitive with diesel for microgrid applications. Propane offers lower emissions, comparable levelized electricity costs, and resiliency. Propane-powered backup generators within the microgrid also operate at peak efficiency, or nearly 100 percent of capacity, maximizing the amount of electricity extracted from fuel.

Microgrids for temporary power on construction sites have proven to be an efficient alternative to grid-connected power, and, in some cases, they are more affordable.

Microgrid and backup systems ultimately provide peace of mind. Propane power generation equipment used in microgrid and backup applications keeps people safe and provides a resilient solution when power fails. Propane is an affordable energy choice capable of delivering efficient, on-site energy during power outages.

Differentiating the Advantages of Propane and Diesel

Propane offers heat, power, and backup power for this hotel. Selecting propane, instead of diesel, means less maintenance and fewer emissions.

The solution to the energy reliability challenge is ultimately multifaceted. However, for critical infrastructure customers, locating power generation and sources on site provides a solution to build resiliency.

Microgrids and backup power provide local resiliency to businesses while protecting against a wide range of threats to the utility grid. Additionally, as renewable energy portfolios grow, so does the need to have balancing resources that are nimble, flexible, and capable of providing bidirectional exchanges between site hosts and the larger grid network.¹¹ The appeal of microgrid and other combination power systems is their ability to be tailored to meet the precise resiliency, economic, and environmental goals of any customer. Each system can be a unique, customized energy system of any size, made up of a diversity of available distributed energy resources (DER) assets.

Understanding Diesel

Diesel remains the most common fuel choice for commercial buildings, yet presents dependability and environmental challenges.

Diesel is cost-effective for larger, single-engine applications over 150 kW. It also provides a good option for on-site fuel storage, a system feature that is required in Emergency Power or other critical infrastructure applications. Diesel generators are also able to match their power output as they face variable loads.

Perhaps the most significant challenge for diesel systems is the stability of the diesel fuel. Diesel degrades over time via oxidation, which leads to the formation of sediments and gum that can clog fuel filters and injectors if not treated. Condensation in the fuel system can also lead to bacterial growth, which can cause clogging. Thus, diesel storage systems require either manual regimens or automatic fuel maintenance systems to keep the system reliable. In fact, for emergency applications, fuel maintenance is required by code within NFPA 110. The need for either automatic fuel maintenance systems or manual operations increases the total ownership cost of the diesel system, a factor to include in the evaluation of fuel and equipment options.

Diesel generators are covered by EPA emission regulations (refer back to the Carbon Intensity graph) It’s especially important to understand which regulations apply based on the exact backup power application. The implications of which regulations apply can have a significant impact on costs. Air quality limitations restrict or severely limit distributed diesel generators’ ability to contribute to balancing energy to the grid.

Understanding Propane

Propane is stored on site, like diesel, but unlike diesel can serve many other applications at the facility. Any type of system or appliance that could be served by natural gas can also be configured for propane. As we have learned, some of the most common propane applications in commercial buildings include water heating, space heating, clothes dryers, and fireplaces, which are all applications where propane offers distinct cost and environmental advantages over electric options. Propane also offers cost-effectiveness for smaller single-engine applications.

As we have learned, propane does not degrade or oxidize over time like diesel. These factors mean there are no fuel maintenance issues with propane, which can be a major cost and operational benefit in backup power systems that either require or prefer on-site fuel storage. Propane’s environmental profile is also favorable compared to diesel, with lower NOx, particulate matter, and CO₂ emissions. These benefits are likely to become more significant over time, as emissions standards continue to grow more stringent. Propane is a low-carbon fuel that, unlike diesel and gasoline, produces virtually no particulate matter emissions. Also, unlike diesel and gasoline, propane can be easily transported and stored indefinitely without degrading; it is ready for action when needed. Propane produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than diesel or gasoline and is non-toxic, non-poisonous, and won’t contaminate soil or water.

When comparing fuel costs, we must also look at production. Propane production has grown significantly and has abundant domestic supply. This means that propane is competitively priced with diesel fuel in the engine fuels market 

Propane tanks can provide on-site propane storage for backup power systems of any size. Determining the minimum required on-site storage involves looking at the generator’s fuel consumption rate and its specified run time to arrive at how many gallons of storage are needed. For example, a 60-kilowatt generator that serves a medium-sized commercial building, running at full load, will consume about 9 gallons of propane per hour and 215 gallons over an entire day. Keep in mind that it is unlikely for a generator to run at full load for an extended period. Because of its efficiency, storing enough propane on site for backup power is readily accomplished. Propane storage tank sizes range from 125-gallon tanks for spot energy needs all the way up to 120,000-gallon storage tanks. One tank can be sized to serve all of a building’s gas energy needs based on its total maximum load, or multiple smaller tanks can be manifolded together. For the 60 kW generator in the example, a standard 1000-gallon tank would likely be suitable.

Design options for propane systems include running the system with the propane entering the engine as either a vapor or a liquid. Vapor configurations offer some advantages and need to account for the vaporization rate of the propane from a liquid into a gaseous form, based on several variables. Generator manufacturers offer design support to account for these factors in the system design. Dual-purpose, propane-powered microgrids and backups can be deployed quickly and in a modular fashion by critical customers for clean local resiliency, facilitating the new energy transition.

Conclusion

Propane is an ideal energy source for power generation, heating, cooling, tankless water heating, cooking, clothes drying, fireplaces, and more. Using propane as an energy source means harnessing an available clean technology to reduce emissions while still meeting energy needs. Propane is abundantly available, and the growth of renewable propane means it can be used for generations to come, reliably helping the U.S. to adapt to each new energy transition.

END NOTES

¹“Evaluating the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid.” Resource Adequacy Report. U.S. Department of Energy. July 2025. Accessed August 18, 2025.

²“Department of Energy Releases Report on Evaluating U.S. Grid Reliability and Security.” U.S. Department of Energy. July 7, 2025. Accessed August 18, 2025.

^3"Evaluating the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid.” Resource Adequacy Report. U.S. Department of Energy. July 2025. Accessed August 18, 2025.

^4,5Ibid.

⁶“Reliability.” U.S. Department of Energy. Accessed August 18, 2025.

⁷Perkins, Tucker. “From Climate Crisis to Power Shortage.” LPGA Newsletter. Louisiana Propane Gas Association. July 2025. Accessed August 19, 2025.

⁸Walker, Emily. “How much do power outages cost?” EnergySage. August 22,2024. Accessed March 4, 2025.

⁹Distributed Generation, National Energy Technology Laboratory. Accessed March 4, 2025.

^10,11Asmus, Peter and Pritil Gunjan. “Enhancing Resiliency For the Energy Transition: The Critical Role of Dual Purpose Resiliency Microgrids.” Guidehouse Insights. Enchanted Rock. 2Q 2021. Page 2. Accessed August 27, 2025.