Power System Services EVs, Propane

March 3, 2023

Portable dual-purpose fueling system from Propane Fueling Systems allows refueling with propane Autogas or recharging with DC level 3 fast chargers.

The skid infrastructure combines a 60kW propane generator with wind and solar power to create a microgrid that provides fleets with a drop-in charging solution. The skid also includes a refueling station for propane autogas vehicles.

“We’ve seen it time and time again—the grid fails, the wind doesn’t blow, the sun doesn’t shine, and an electric vehicle fleet is grounded because it can’t recharge,” said Mauricio Morafiallos, CEO, in a statement. “Propane can be there in those moments to provide a clean, reliable power solution. “Historically, EV fleets have relied on diesel generators for a portable charging solution. In those cases, all the good you’re doing with EVs is going out the window when those diesel emissions are released. Propane eliminates that issue.”

For light commercial microgrid (<100kW generation system) applications, propane fuel cells can lead to near-zero nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, as well as a 24 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to the company. Propane fuel cells are also cost-competitive with diesel generators.

Compared to traditional EV charging infrastructure, the skid solution is significantly less expensive than traditional EV charging infrastructure because it doesn’t require the same site prep, permanent housing, or other costly charges that are incurred with permanent infrastructure, according to the company, cutting costs by as much as 75 percent or more.

“For fleets that run propane autogas and electric vehicles, this is a solution that can’t be beat,” said Steve Whaley, director of autogas business development at the Propance Education & Research Council (PERC), in a statement. “It’s fully portable, scalable, runs reliably regardless of the weather, and can be installed in as little as 24 hours. The propane autogas vehicles can be refueled and back on the road within minutes, and EVs can be charged reliably through propane-generated power. It’s time fleets have truly resilient energy sources, and propane provides that.”

Source: PERC

About the Author

Rod Sutton

Sutton has served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com since 2001. 

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