Mission critical power systems need flexible fuel options.

Hospitals, airports, data centres and public utilities like water treatment plants need reliable electric power 24/7. In many cases that means diesel-powered back-up generators fuelled by liquid petroleum-based diesel or natural gas.

A recent article in Power Progress magazine, however, noted that both of those fuels are increasingly impacted by unpredictable availability and price volatility. Shortages can be due to factors ranging from adverse weather to geopolitical issues but all have similar impact on back-up system reliability.

The author suggests that alternative fuels like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) should be investigated for inclusion in near-term contingency plans, and hydrogen from renewable energy or other lower-carbon sources for longer term planning.

HVO and petroleum diesel, the author says, can be mixed in virtually any ratio and used in unmodified engines. Hydrogen presently is available in limited quantities from lower-carbon sources.