POWER-GEN and backup power systems
Last week, I spent some time at the 20th anniversary of POWER-GEN International
in Orlando, FL. While a
significant portion of the show is focused on utilities and the grid, when it
comes to backup power and emergency systems, distributed energy is where it’s
at. Armed with a complementary tote
bag and a reporter’s curiosity, I set out to explore the many exhibitors who’d
set up shop to promote their emergency power systems.
Optimism was high, despite the dismal economic news trickling
out every evening on CNN. Many show
participants continue to see growth in the onsite power industry – specifically
when it comes to backup power systems for hospitals, data centers, and other
“mission critical” industries.
There’s also a lot of expectation percolating around the regime change
that will take place in January, with many manufacturers expecting an influx of
government spending related to infrastructure improvements – some of which will
surely contain a “sustainability” component that will dovetail nicely with many
onsite power systems.
Some other anticipated areas of growth – according to word on
the street (or in this case, the exhibit hall floor) – include standby and
confinement operations for the agricultural market, CHP, and landfill to
gas. And, while new construction
(both residential and commercial) will probably continue to decline, the
anticipated infrastructure improvements are sure to include new wastewater and
solid waste facilities – both of which are ripe for onsite power
installations.
Overall, everyone participating in POWER-GEN 2009 was excited
about new opportunities and emerging technologies, specifically in terms of
reliability and distributed energy.
Still, the question remains, does onsite power’s future lie mainly in
emergency backup systems, or will it evolve to include a variety of methods to
improve energy efficiency and power dependability?