Over the past year a growing power crisis has emerged across the western states. Recent developments in power management in California have raised particular concerns as the Northwest region both plans and reacts to possible power shortages or extreme price increases. Our heavy reliance on electrical power has left millions of Americans vulnerable to severe consequences of power loss. In order to avoid the California experience of rolling blackouts or the effects of higher wholesale power increases, we must look for creative and innovative ways to both produce greater supplies of electric power, provide incentives for conservation and balance environmental needs simultaneously. Many debates have taken place as to what can be done to improve this situation. Some alternative proposals have been considered. One proposal encourages the use of emergency generators, already installed in a variety of buildings, be used to increase power generation.
This study, which is based upon the need to explore the feasibility of power generation from relatively small generators in individual buildings, is limited in size and scope. Interviews were conducted over an eight-week period with building operators and managers in the city of Portland, Oregon who own or manage emergency generating units. Additional interviews were conducted with personnel from local electric utilities. This study sought first to determine the availability of emergency generators and the amount of power that could be generated. Owners and managers of buildings were questioned as to whether and how they would support using private generation in cooperation with utilities. Issues explored included economic, technical and legal ones relating to the practical use of emergency generators and the incentives and problems in establishing a workable program.
This study found that emergency generators are available in a variety of commercial and industrial buildings as well as hospitals, high schools, colleges, jails, and public safety facilities. According to industry information Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana have just over 26,000 generators within their borders. This study contacted 70 facilities or approximately 10% of the total available in the city of Portland.
Federal, state and local jurisdictions govern the use of emergency generators. Agencies such as the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies such as the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality have specific requirements and environmental codes that must be met. At the local level, emergency generators are subject to local structural, mechanical and electrical regulations.
From the information gathered 71% of the industrial and commercial building owners or managers indicated that they would be interested or likely interested in contracting with a utility to supply energy to the power grid using their emergency generating capacity. This level of support was qualified by the desire of respondents for support from utility companies and clear economic incentives to participate.
The results of interviews with utility personnel as well as additional research indicated that local utilities are supportive to the idea of using emergency generating capacity to augment present power production. Most utilities are considering innovative programs to increase the power supply, and see the use of emergency generation as a possible option. Some utilities are beginning to develop specific program parameters and consider legal and contract information that would mutually benefit both the owners of emergency generators as well as the utilities. Further, some program elements have specific environmental benefits. Emergency generators may be used up to 200 hours per year during peak power needs. In exchange for use of the emergency generators, utilities would supply support, maintenance, fuel and equipment to fully maintain the generators as well as build a centralized and parallel power supply. Building owners would be secure in knowing that they have guaranteed, dependable and non-interruptable power from well-maintained and tested emergency generators.
If the results of this survey are extrapolated region-wide there is significant generating capacity available using the capacity in emergency generators. An estimated 3.7 gigawatts of generating capacity is believed to be available. This additional power provided at reasonable cost, both economically and environmentally offer an important opportunity to meet the power needs of a growing region.
