A backup electrical supply, like generators, is greatly beneficial when you experience a sudden power outage. They can help keep your appliances, heating and cooling systems, and other essential devices running, keeping you comfortable and preventing a disruption in your daily routine or business operations.
With many fuel sources used for generators, one of the most popular ones is natural gas. Read on to learn about natural gas generators and their pros and cons.
What Is a Natural Gas Generator?
This generator utilizes natural gas, often regarded as the cleanest and most efficient fossil fuel, to create electricity. Natural gas generators work similarly to gasoline or diesel-fueled types. But, in contrast, this fuel can be sourced through direct pipelines that run from suppliers directly to the generator, eliminating the need for storage tanks and frequent refilling.
Pros of Natural Gas Generators
Aside from being a reliable fuel alternative to diesel and gasoline, natural gas generators offer several benefits. Here are some of them:
- Lower Emissions: One of the most significant advantages of natural gas is its lower emissions. Unlike other fossil fuels, it burns clean and produces fewer toxins and pollutants, like carbon dioxide, promoting better air quality. This makes natural gas generators an eco-friendly choice for many.
- Accessibility and Reliability: Natural gas is widely available and can be tapped directly through pipelines, making it easier to access. In turn, these generators can provide a reliable and consistent power supply, especially in areas with existing pipelines.
This reliability makes natural gas generators ideal for businesses, critical services that require uninterrupted power, and regions prone to power outages. In addition, natural gas is an essential partner for renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, ensuring a reliable power supply when they cannot produce energy.
- Storage and Supply: Liquid fuels like diesel and gasoline are typically stored in tanks to power generators. They also have a limited shelf life, which means they need to be changed from time to time. Natural gas doesn’t require onsite storage and constant refueling, offering convenience and reducing safety hazards from potential spills and leakage.
- Quiet Operation: Natural gas generators run more quietly compared to their diesel and gasoline counterparts. So, they’re a suitable option for residential neighborhoods or areas with a noise ordinance.
- Cost-Effective: Because of natural gas’ higher energy conversion rates, it is highly efficient in producing electricity with less energy wastage. This advantage, combined with lower fuel costs, makes natural gas generators a more economical option in the long run, especially for extended operations.
Cons of Natural Gas Generators
Beyond its many advantages, natural gas generators also have their share of drawbacks. This includes:
- Safety Concerns: Although natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, it is highly flammable and explosive, posing safety risks should a pipeline burst or leak. Because of this, proper installation, regular maintenance, and vigilance for warning signs, such as the smell of gas, are essential for safe operations.
- Dependence on Infrastructure: Natural gas generators require a constant fuel supply, typically delivered through pipelines. Although convenient, major disasters, infrastructure failure, maintenance outages, and other unforeseen circumstances may interrupt the steady access to natural gas.
- Non-renewable Resource: As with other fossil fuels, natural gas is non-renewable. So, despite having an abundant supply, it may eventually deplete over time, impacting its long-term sustainability as an energy source.
- Environmental Concerns: Natural gas, while cleaner than other fossil fuels, can still emit greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide, during its extraction and transportation. The process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking when extracting natural gas also raises concerns due to its potential impact on water supplies and ecosystems.
In Conclusion
Natural gas generators are an efficient, cleaner, and environmentally friendly option for anyone looking for reliable backup power, whether for home or business. Understanding their pros and cons, you can better determine if they’re the right choice for you.
Despite that, before investing in one, it’s best to evaluate your energy needs, location and fuel availability, amount of maintenance you can handle, and other regulatory considerations in your area. Carefully weighing these factors with the abovementioned pros and cons can help you make a more informed decision. If you need further assistance on getting your own natural gas generator, consult an expert!