Businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on technology and energy, and with the UK Government forecasting our energy requirements will increase fivefold by 2025, it's becoming more important for manufacturers requiring high-quality power to secure a reliable energy source, especially in challenging off-grid locations, so they can continue to operate with no interruption to their power supply.
Off-grid manufacturing businesses without access to the mains gas grid face a bigger challenge than most to ensure that production remains smooth.
In this blog, we’re going to take a look at why a stable energy supply is critical in manufacturing and how LPG can protect rural manufacturing businesses against grid instability.
What happens if power cuts out?
In rural areas, grid connectivity can be unreliable. Unexpected power losses or unstable supply can lead to manufacturing processes grinding to a halt and machines becoming idle.
A sudden loss of power that leads to downtime can be costly and result in wasted materials, and can even damage sensitive equipment. Production schedules and delivery timescales will be affected, deadlines missed, and productivity reduced.
LPG providing reliability
Without access to mains gas, one fuel source for off-grid businesses is electricity. However, the electricity grid tends to be less reliable in rural areas where rural grids are often designed for residential or light agricultural loads, rather than high-demand manufacturing operations. In addition, rural grids are often exposed and more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions such as storms, high winds or heavy snowfall, which can lead to outages and affect operations severely.
LPG, or liquid petroleum gas, provides an effective, on-site energy solution for off-grid manufacturing. The gas is stored in bulk LPG tanks on the premises and can be used for a variety of applications such as process heating, powering industrial burners and boilers, space heating, water heating, and even fuelling LPG-powered generators.
Logistics are manageable, even in remote locations. The fuel is delivered by the contracted LPG supplier by road in tankers, and modern telemetry systems mean that fuel levels can be monitored remotely in real time, and top-ups scheduled when needed under an automatic refilling service. All giving greater control over energy supply than with electricity which can expose a business to external disruptions such as grid outages or infrastructure failures.
Fuel storage needs to be considered and will depend on the size of the plant and the quantity of fuel to be stored – no one size fits all. Bulk LPG tanks ensure a continuous supply and are built to rigorous safety standards. They come in a variety of sizes to suit different operational needs, site conditions and usage. The most commonly used bulk LPG storage tanks are above-ground tanks which are installed on a secure concrete base at ground level. Underground tanks are buried and are suitable where space, safety or aesthetics are a concern.
A scalable and cost-effective energy solution
Unlike electricity supply, which is dependent on grid connections, LPG is scalable, enabling business expansion, and can be tailored to meet the specific energy demands and growth of manufacturing businesses, from small-scale workshops to large industrial plants. Plus, it provides a cost-effective alternative to unreliable or infrastructure-limited electricity supplies.
Additional tanks can provide more storage capacity and flexibility as and when required, and as a business expands, supporting scalable growth, whether through increased production or additional facilities.
And the great thing is that, as LPG is stored independently of the electric grid, it ensures a consistent supply even during outages, especially critical for rural operations where grid interruptions can be prolonged.
LPG for versatility
LPG is widely recognised for its versatility in a broad spectrum of industrial processes., making it an effective and adaptable energy source for off-grid industrial businesses.
Offering a reliable, efficient, and more easily controllable heat source than other options, LPG can be used across a range of industrial processes, including metal processing, drying, steaming, in spray booths, providing instant heat. And for powering forklift trucks and other material handling vehicles, LPG is a great alternative to diesel and means FLT’s can run safely in indoor settings for longer, and refuel quickly.
Propane provides a higher heat output than other fuel sources, reaching desired levels quickly, enabling efficient and rapid heating for processes that require high temperatures or specific heat control, such as glass and ceramic production. Plus, productivity is increased with less time spent waiting for equipment to heat up.
Reduced carbon emissions
As it burns completely, leaving no residue and emitting fewer pollutants such as SO2 (sulphur dioxide), NOx (nitrogen oxides), and PM (particulate matter), all of which contribute to air pollution and environmental degradation, when compared with other fossil fuels, industrial LPG is a tried-and-tested environmentally friendly alternative energy source.
Switching to LPG can be a strategic move and significantly reduce a company’s carbon footprint, an increasingly important factor for stakeholders and customers alike.
If a business is switching to LPG from oil or coal, it can help it to meet regulatory targets for emissions and carbon reduction as set out in the Clean Growth Strategy and Medium Combustion Plant Directive.
Plus, businesses that adapt to LPG today may more easily transition to renewable gases in the future, further reducing their carbon footprints without the need for new infrastructure, and with no compromise on performance.
Renewable gases such as bioLPG and rDME will provide greener options to power off-grid businesses. Both are drop-in solutions so they can be used straight away in existing systems and can make significant carbon emission savings – by as much as 90%. Liquid Gas UK, the Trade Association for the liquid gas industry in the UK, has reported renewable gases will be a great opportunity for industry, stating that ‘industries relying on oil will be able to switch over to 100% rDME, slashing emissions and improving air quality’.
Power cuts in manufacturing are much more than just an inconvenience – they disrupt production, raise costs and can significantly impact business performance.
LPG offers manufacturers with energy-intensive processes a dependable, a high-performance, controllable, and versatile energy solution across a range of processes, supporting business continuity and operational resilience, whilst helping businesses align with sustainability goals and improve their environmental impact.
At Northern Energy Gas, we work with rural manufacturing businesses of all sizes throughout England to deliver bespoke energy solutions with competitive prices and service you can rely on. We want you to think of us as your trusted LPG partner, and be secure in the knowledge your fuel is in reliable hands.
If you’d like to discuss switching your business' fuel source to LPG, or switching over to Northern Energy Gas from your existing supplier, we’re here to help.
Contact us today on 01423 772 789. As an independent company, we’re here to help keep your business running efficiently and your energy flowing, as well as provide competitive prices and unrivalled service.