The impact of Winter Storm Uri comes to mind as a good example if this, and I want to draw on the insights learned from that experience and emphasize the benefits of natural gas as a backup fuel for other regions across the country.”
Reliability and efficiency are paramount to backup power generation, and the choice of fuel for those critical systems has significant implications on their performance. While diesel has long been the de facto choice, natural gas offers compelling advantages, particularly in the face of adverse weather conditions. This fact became especially clear when Winter Storm Uri brought the state of Texas to a standstill in February 2021.
One of the most significant drawbacks of diesel fuel during any extreme weather event is the potential for delivery disruptions. In cold temperatures, diesel fuel can thicken, or “gel,” making it difficult to pump and transport. This was evident during Uri, when icy roads and temperatures in the teens meant Texas truck stops and fuel suppliers were unable to deliver diesel due to fuel shortages. Data centers, which have become one of the state’s fastest growing industries, faced extreme difficulty securing timely fuel deliveries, with some operators relying on out-of-state suppliers to keep their generators running. Again, this wasn’t due to a lack of diesel fuel but an inability to deliver it, highlighting the vulnerability of diesel supply chains to cold weather disruptions.
In contrast, natural gas delivery is less susceptible to such issues. Natural gas pipelines are typically buried underground, providing greater protection against adverse weather conditions and ensuring a more reliable fuel supply even during extreme events. As many Texas-based data centers scrambled for diesel during Uri, the natural gas infrastructure continued to deliver with far fewer complications. Natural gas generated more than 900,000 kW/hr at its peak, outperforming all other energy sources that were also impacted by the storm’s harsh temperatures. That kind of reliability is critical in emergencies where power continuity is essential.
Another key advantage of natural gas as a backup fuel is its reduced impact on the environment when compared to diesel. Natural gas produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than diesel, making it a cleaner, more sustainable choice. In regions like Texas, where energy consumption is high and environmental sustainability is becoming a focus (especially in the data center market), the shift to cleaner backup energy sources is gaining momentum. Companies prioritizing carbon reduction can benefit from the lower emissions profile of natural gas while ensuring their systems stay online during crises.
Winter Storm Uri underscored how the reliability of natural gas can mitigate risks and avoid costly disruptions caused by fuel shortages or delivery issues – not just in Texas but in any location impacted by long-duration, unplanned outages. Additionally, the environmental advantages of natural gas contribute to a more sustainable and compliant future, especially in regions with stringent environmental regulations.
The challenges the state of Texas experienced with diesel fuel delivery during Uri is just one of many examples where diesel has been a less reliable choice than natural gas for backup power. As a more dependable and sustainable alternative, natural gas offers fewer risks of disruption and a lower environmental footprint. When considering the delivery interruptions, environmental impacts, and potential long-term costs, it is clear that natural gas is the superior choice for backup fuel in regions prone to extreme weather.
