For a few days in October last year, Northern California sat in the dark. California’s largest utility shut off power to more than 2 million people in portions of 17 counties across the San Francisco Bay area in a deliberate attempt to prevent transmission lines from sparking wildfires during autumn’s windy and dry weather.

In rural Humboldt County, the power outages emptied grocery store shelves. ATMs were without cash and cars waited on line for 45 minutes to get gas. Not too far away on a 100-acre reservation, the Blue Lake Hotel and Casino< was booked to capacity. Not only did the lights remain on, but its operator, the Blue Lake Rancheria tribe, was able to use its conference room to provide area residents with essential services, such as food, water and communications, as well as a place to entertain themselves and their kids.

Jason Ramos, a member of the Blue Lake Rancheria council, said the tribe “looked like geniuses” for constructing a microgrid in advance some three years ago to keep the reservation operating like it did when the larger regional grid shut down last year. With planned power outages predicted to continue throughout California for the next decade, many communities like Blue Lake Rancheria are considering microgrids to help keep the lights on during a crisis.

What are Microgrids?

Microgrids are locally controlled power systems that can “island-off” from the traditional electrical grid during emergencies to operate autonomously, said Chuck Ferry, CEO at APR Energy, a global provider of fast-track power solutions.

Most of the time, microgrids remain connected to the energy grid to ensure power supply meets with demand. Supported by generators that run on conventional fuels or renewable energy stored in batteries, microgrids can power a home or business, neighborhood or entire city.

Because microgrids can be scaled depending on need, Ferry said they can strengthen an energy network’s resilience, mitigate disturbances and serve as a resource for faster system response and recovery. When the South Australia grid needed increased generation capacity in 2017, Ferry said APR Energy installed nine of the company’s TM2500 mobile gas turbines to provide supplemental power in time for the soaring summer temperatures that had provoked load-shedding blackouts the previous year.

“Localized power is gaining momentum,” he said. “Natural disasters including hurricanes and storms on the East Coast and now wildfires on the West Coast are pushing states to enact some type of distributed energy system to provide higher levels of resiliency while many developing nations are turning to microgrid technology to support socio-economic growth in remote communities.”

Distributed Energy on Way

About 100 microgrids that incorporate electricity supply to two or more buildings have been installed in California, the majority at large universities as well as at medical centers and in public safety operations. Since the power shut-offs began last year, some utilities have teamed with the communities they serve to evaluate an investment in microgrids.

Pacific Gas & Electric began experimenting with microgrids at some venues on a very small scale during the outages last year. The intent was to allow sections of a community to continue using electricity even though areas around them could not. The utility hopes to broaden that strategy by installing microgrids near 20 substations by September of this year, or just before the start of wildfire season.

“Power outages or wildfires do not have to become a way of life for millions of Californians every summer and fall when we know that distributed energy generation can play an important role in maintaining a safe reliable and affordable flow of electricity moving throughout a community,” said Ferry. “Everyone depends on power to live and work; some for the critical services that may help to keep them alive. The onus is on us to keep the lights on and eliminate any unnecessary hardship.”

Have public safety power shutoffs weakened your ability to provide essential services to the community? When a utility is continually forced to shut down power lines to avoid sparking a wildfire, APR Energy has the power to implement distributed generation enabled microgrid systems to keep a safe, affordable and reliable supply of electricity flowing. https://site-aprenergy-live-1586248804-zpmtxap3upcbxhsf7ew.local

With the start of the new year, comes the hope of many longed-for realities. But for the people and businesses of Central and South America this year, El Niño is expected to strike a dark and stormy blow.

Trouble on the horizon in 2019 & 2020.
Specifically, scientists predict a 90 percent chance El Niño will leave a trail of destruction in the first quarter and a 60 percent chance it will persist through the first two quarters. Regardless of the exact timing, the intensity and frequency of atmospheric responses from El Niño or La Niña in these regions over the next two years will be severe.

These grave predictions are statistically calculated from decades of carefully studied patterns. Scientists know as the warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific coincides with weaker than average east winds, a dangerous mix of weather reactions occurs. Ultimately, perilous weather patterns from El Niño are likely to bring dangerous conditions to both human and agricultural life. The anticipated atmospheric, geographic and oceanic reactions are all serious.

How will El Niño impact my bottom line?
Low rainfall may starve crops and reduce hydro power reservoirs. Severe wind may dramatically impact corals, rivers, and farms while increased land temperatures may continue to feed perilous weather cycles. In countries such as Columbia, the toll from El Niño’s impact through low rainfall is predicted to stress banana crops. Historically, meteorologists note El Niño is responsible for a 32 percent decline in rainfall during December and a 35 percent decline in January, February and March. This threatens 70% of Colombia’s power generation mix, approximately 11GW of hydro power plants. In addition, with climate change also on the rise, the intensity and frequency of atmospheric responses will also increase.

These expected and tangible blows from the natural world may likewise be translated to the macroeconomy of the affected countries. The impact of El Niño may constrain the supply of rain-driven agricultural commodities, reduce agricultural output, construction, and services activities; as well as create food-price and generalized inflation or trigger social unrest in commodity-dependent poor countries that primarily rely on imported food.

Can power grids prepare in time for El Niño’s impact?
With warmer and drier weather near, sheer winds and fierce currents probable, one undeniable takeaway is clear and definitive: prepare well. Central and South America’s power grids are in transition; moving away from a hydrocarbon dependent grid to one whose future solely powered by renewable technologies. Until this shift is complete, how can renewable dependent grids cope with sudden and drastic changes in climate?
Minimize the impact of El Niño with energy solutions that offer maximum benefits and flexibility. APR Energy offers both affordable and reliable power across all phases: installation, operation and maintenance.

APR Energy will help you overcome El Niño
Interruptions will be minimized. Challenges will be untangled. Key alliances with technology providers will serve as your own. At APR Energy, state-of-the-art power options like our fast-track energy solutions offer reliable and consistent support in emergency situations, minimizing grid instability and historical power outages.

You’ll find our services provide security of supply amid increased demand, in the face of intermittent supply. Our technology bridges a temporary gap while also meeting emissions requirements.

Our scalable, turnkey power is flexible, allowing for use to be dictated by the power you need, for as long as it’s needed. It’s comforting to know, while the weather forecasts may be severe, the solutions to mitigate them are even more powerful and prepared.

If you’d like to discuss your own fast-track energy solutions, contact us online or call: 1(904) 223-2278.

Today, nearly every aspect of business relies on technology – and a lot of it. As technology consumption increases, so does the need for reliable power. But, if the power capacity doesn’t exist, reliability can be jeopardized due to stressed grids.

For businesses like data centers, power is a huge component to their profitability. In fact, a single power outage could lead to millions of dollars lost.

According to an article in Forbes, millions of data centers around the world use an astronomical 416 Terawatt hours of electricity each year to manage the 2.5 quintillion bytes of data created every day by individual and business uses. In fact, a large data center uses as much electricity as a small U.S. City.

How will this affect the future of power consumption? It’s estimated that by 2025, data centers will account for one fifth of global electricity consumption. Data Economy reports that new alarming research suggests that data centers will be one of the biggest energy consumers on the planet, beating many countries’ energy consumption levels. At the rate in which technology is progressing and data centers are growing, there’s a concern about how traditional power plants can keep up with the demand and how their consumption will affect the environment.

Since technology shows no signs of slowing down, it’s critical for data centers to adopt innovative energy solutions that not only keep their business up and running, but that also reduces their carbon footprint while simultaneously improving their bottom line.

Up until now, the go-to solution for powering data centers has been connecting to local grids and diesel generators, but at APR Energy, we can accomplish the same level of power security both cheaper and more efficiently. Our Gas Power modules and Mobile Gas Turbine solutions provide an alternative to the traditional diesel option that’s fast, flexible and incredibly reliable.

Better doesn’t mean bigger. APR Energy strives to provide powerful energy solutions in compact formats. A modular plant using our compact, power-dense turbines requires approximately one-third of the space needed for an equivalent-output diesel reciprocating engine plant, making our turbine solution a perfect fit for customers with space constraints.

The Power of Natural Gas

With rapidly increasing power generation demand from data centers to keep pace with a digital economy, concerns have been raised over environmental impact. Industries are continuing to come under increasing scrutiny on how they respond to climate change.

Natural Gas fired power is a strong, reliable energy source for primary power needs and emergency backup power. Running on gas decreases needed space, emissions, and cost while increasing efficiency and uptime – perfect for data centers that cannot afford power loss or downtime.

As power demands increase, power grids become stressed. APR’s Energy aeroderivative gas turbine solution and gas-power module solution provide cost-effective, emission-friendly alternatives to the instability of stressed grids.

APR Energy’s Aeroderivative Gas Turbines are robust and efficient enough to be used long-term. This fuel-flexible, aeroderivative technology is based on technology used in permanent power plants around the world. Turbines can be installed quickly, integrate into existing plant infrastructure, and can be easily scaled or removed as needed. If a more permanent solution is needed, APR Energy can work with its partner GE to help deliver a variety of larger-scale, higher-speed turbine options.

APR Energy’s Gas Power Module is a highly-efficient energy alternative for supporting fast-track power generation. Using a compact, four-stroke-cycle CAT® G3516C low-emission gas engine, it can support a wide range of utility and industrial power generation applications within the most extreme and demanding conditions. The engine combines durability with minimal weight, while providing exceptional dependability, economy and power density while the fuel system is designed for maximum performance on low pressure pipeline natural gas.

For more energy-efficient solutions to fit your data center needs, contact us online or call +1 (904) 223-2278 today.

As Canadian Cannabis demands skyrocket, so does its electricity consumption.

As the cannabis industry grows at record pace in Canada, so does its electricity consumption; making it difficult for marijuana business owners to keep their energy costs low and profitability high. To keep up with the demand of customers, production will need to increase drastically, which will have an immediate impact on electricity use. In fact, just 14 days after legalizing cannabis in Canada, government licensed shops were facing shortages.

While today’s growing methods of vertical farming and greenhouse-style horticulture has reduced the amount of land needed to grow cannabis, the equipment required to keep up with the demand has surged. LED lighting systems, heating mechanisms, water pumps, ventilation fans, and more are all powered by one source: electricity.

How much electricity is needed to grow cannabis?

According to an article in CBC, it takes about 2,000 kWh of electricity to make one pound of product using traditional growing methods. That’s equivalent to the amount of energy an average Canadian household uses in two months. And while the amount of energy could be reduced by alternative growth methods like those listed above, it still takes a lot of power to keep up with cannabis demands.

Now that marijuana is legalized for both medical and recreational use in Canada, it’s projected to become a multibillion-dollar industry, which naturally equates to increased demands for power – yet it is still unknown exactly how much power will be sufficient. It’s estimated that commercial scale growth operations require on average 15-25MW of power to regulate temperature and humidity.

How can the power industry keep up with the consumption?

MJbizdaily states that as more customers demand more energy, utility companies may have to build new power plants to supply customers’ demands – which is costly.

The solution? Mobile power sources. At APR Energy, we have helped hundreds of companies and industries maximize their energy use while decreasing their energy costs – all without affecting other businesses and residents around them. Our scalable, turnkey power plants offer flexible solutions for reliable, cost-effective electricity when and where businesses need it. As the cannabis industry grows, our power plants grow with the demand; meaning you only use as much power as you need, when you need it.

If you’d like to discuss your own fast-track energy solutions, contact us online or call +1 (904) 223-2278 today.

As a recent article in Newsweek warns in its title, “Bitcoin Mining on Track to Consume All of the World’s Energy by 2020.”

At its core, Bitcoin is a brand of cryptocurrency that, rather than being tied to a bank, is managed via an open ledger that is accessible to anyone with the knowledge of where and how to look. Those participants are identified only by a wallet ID number, not by name, and the system is unregulated and decentralized. A few businesses accept Bitcoins, but it’s the activities of Bitcoin miners that are so energy intensive.

Bitcoin miners compete for this brand of cryptocurrency by responding to challenging math problems. Instead of sitting down and solving the problems themselves, they use computers to solve a complex string of problems to mine a fixed number of Bitcoins. While that process collectively uses up a significant amount of electricity, miners aren’t likely to stop their activities. The New York Times estimates each Bitcoin to be currently worth $10,500. Value will fluctuate often, but the underlying truth is the same: There are sound financial reasons to want to mine these coins.

Each transaction needs to be confirmed on the blockchain online ledger, and as more and more computers join the cryptocurrency network, equations will exponentially become more complex, making the demand for power even greater.

Types of Cryptocurrency

When people think about cryptocurrency, they often think about Bitcoin. There are, in fact, more than a dozen other types of cryptocurrency. But because the biggest energy-consumption concerns today center on Bitcoin, that’s the focus of this post.

Bitcoin Electricity Usage

Currently, Newsweek says, the energy required to mine Bitcoin cryptocurrency is greater than the current consumption of energy of 159 individual countries. Digiconimist.net shares that Bitcoin electricity usage is already equal to all the power needed to run Denmark and that it is also enough to power more than three million households in the United States.

The Washington Post, meanwhile, discusses the potential impact if prices of cryptocurrency continue to rise, which would mean further increases in energy consumption. As one expert explains, the price of this currency represents “an economic incentive to add more mining equipment to the network…and that incentive is built in.”

Another quoted expert, David Malone from Maynooth University in Ireland, co-authored a 2014 paper titled Bitcoin Mining and its Energy Footprint. In the paper, the authors state that the Bitcoin network was using about as much electricity as his entire country. Since that time, “Bitcoin responds by making the problems more difficult.” (Watch our site for a blog post that will focus on Ireland and its specific bitcoin electricity-consumption challenges.)

How Much Electricity Does Bitcoin Use?

According to the Washington Post article, this network generates approximately 14 million trillion possible solutions (known as hashes) every single second. Malone estimates that if everyone uses the most efficient computing hardware available (which they do not!), the lowest amount of instantaneous power needed is 1.2 billion watts (gigawatts). That’s comparable to the electricity steadily generated by a nuclear reactor in the United States.

Fortune.com provides a comparative answer to put this power generation into context. Bitcoin mining now “guzzles more electricity than all the electric cars in the world.” And in 2018, energy demands for cryptocurrency are expected to triple.

Morgan Stanley estimated that this type of mining could use up 125-plus terawatt hours of electricity this year alone, while the 280,000 Tesla cars on the road at the end of 2017 used less than 1.3 terawatt hours of electricity for that entire year.

So producing bitcoins costs 29 times as much in energy than it takes to power all of the Tesla cars on the road today.

To quote one person’s comment on Tesla’s online discussion forums, “That’s freaking insane.”

CNN.com, meanwhile, provides another form of context to describe how much energy is needed to conduct a Bitcoin transaction. A subheading in an article reads, “Pay with Bitcoin or Power a Home?” It’s phrased this way because every single transaction that goes through the Bitcoin network uses enough electricity to power a typical home in the Netherlands.

Bitcoin Energy Usage in the Future

How this situation will play out is open to speculation, but what’s clear is that fast-track energy solutions are needed. In fact, Bitcoin miners and their energy needs are outpacing the ability of countries to build new power plants. It is much quicker to build a crypto mining operation than to permit and build new power plants, which typically takes 18 to 36 months. APR Energy plans to bridge this gap. We are a global leader in fast-track, flexible-power generation, and we create turnkey power plants to help run industries and cities around the globe. APR Energy provides reliable, cost-effective electricity when and where it’s needed, for as long as it’s needed—including but not limited to energy that’s needed because of the rapid growth of cryptocurrency.

If you’d like to discuss your own fast-track energy solutions, contact us online or call +1 (904) 223-2278 today.

In many places around the world, a process called cryptocurrency mining has caused massive challenges, including but not limited to those related to energy consumption. One type of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has caused most of the challenges, with few countries facing problems as dramatic as those occurring in Iceland.

Bitcoin mining is a process in which people race to solve complex math problems to win cryptocurrency. The mines use computers to solve these complex math problems. As the value of Bitcoins has risen, so has the number of people fighting to mine them. This, in turn, increases participation in the Bitcoin network and its accompanying energy needs.

In fact, the energy needs of Iceland’s networks are now equivalent to those of the entire Republic of Ireland and are nearly as much as the energy needs of all of Iceland’s households, according to a Bloomberg.com article. And it’s likely to increase to 100 megawatts of power usage by the end of 2018.

Many Bitcoin networks are drawn to Iceland because of the volcanoes located there, which provide the country with an abundant source of cheap geothermal renewable energy. Using this lower-cost form of energy allows Bitcoin miners to reduce expenses and enjoy higher profits. Economically efficient power is especially important because as fewer Bitcoins are left to mine, each block becomes exponentially harder to solve, requiring more kilowatt-hours per coin. Also, because Iceland is located so far north, the Arctic air provides an inexpensive way to keep computer server rooms cool, even as they generate massive amounts of heat.

Until now, cryptocurrency exchanges have been decentralized and unregulated worldwide. Outside of Iceland, it remains that way today. But in September 2018, Iceland finally said enough is enough.

Iceland Responds

Given that so much of its energy resources are being used up through cryptocurrency interactions, it isn’t surprising that Iceland is the first country to create a regulatory body. The regulatory organization is called the Financial Supervisory Authority, and now all cryptocurrency firms must register with this organization.

Having said all this, as IcelandReview.com reports, Bitcoin electricity usage is not what prompted this new legislation. Instead, it was crafted in response to the need to “combat money laundering and terrorist activities.”

Iceland is more concerned with what will happen if and when Bitcoin goes away. What would become of all that cost sunk into infrastructure? The mines that cryptocurrency companies will potentially leave behind can have alternative uses to stimulate Iceland’s economy. They can function as data centers for solving complex problems, such as artificial intelligence and the processing of large amounts of data for autonomous vehicles.

Power and Energy Challenges Intertwined

The problem of how to address the power demands of these companies and their users still needs to resolved, as does the impact this may have on Iceland’s economy. According to Wired.co.uk, the security and quality manager of one data center in Iceland notes that the center receives multiple requests each week to be added to the network. But the center simply doesn’t have the capacity to make those additions.

In addition, bankers, regulators and politicians alike worry about the highly volatile financial situation associated with crypto coin values, according to the article. Also, The Icelandic Data Center Industry released a report in 2018 warning that the power consumption imbalance poses a “huge risk factor for local industry” in a market so vulnerable to disruption.

According to the report, “There are indications that the huge increase in demand from the crypto currency sector is based on very sharp rises in the currencies values, which has been described by many economists as speculative. The market outlook can thus best be described as fragile.”

Power Problem

In 2018, the Washington Post compared Iceland’s situation to a “21st-century gold-rush equivalent,” noting that some energy producers already fear they will not be able to keep up with rising demand if this situation continues. Concerns exist, the reporter states, that Iceland may even “have to slow down investments amid an increasingly stretched electricity generation capacity.”

Positive Thinking

The Washington Post article also notes a positive side in the midst of the concerns about sustainability: an added source of revenue in a country that mostly relies upon tourism.

Bloomberg, meanwhile, points out the optimism of power-plant experts in Iceland, who share a belief that Bitcoin mining won’t be there in the future, but that the data centers created for their use will remain. The centers would become new technology incubators that could be used for “deep learning applications for self-driving cars or automatic translators.”

Fast-Track Power Solutions

As the demand for power continues to increase in Iceland, and as volatile situations continue to play themselves out, it won’t be surprising if fast-track power solutions are needed to support Iceland’s ever-growing demand for energy.

APR Energy provides flexible power-generation solutions, fast-tracking them to help run industries and cities around the world. We are a global leader in creating turnkey power plants that provide reliable, cost-effective electricity when and where it’s needed. This includes the energy required for Bitcoin’s electricity usage.

If you’d like to discuss your own fast-track energy solutions, contact us online or call +1 (904) 223-2278 today.

• With the injunction of APR Energy’s thermoelectric power plant now lifted, more than 2.6 million people will have better access to reliable power.
• APR Energy’s turbines in Argentina only operate at “peak” times, or when the power grid is overwhelmed by demand. This significantly minimizes the possibility of a power outage, lowers the overall cost for the government and avoids any noticeable disruption to citizens.
• APR Energy’s turbines are fuel-flexible and primarily run on clean natural gas in Argentina.
• In the rare case that the natural gas supply is interrupted, then—by order of the Government—power will be generated with liquid fuel. Otherwise, APR Energy avoids the use of liquid fuel to protect the quality of life of citizens.
• APR Energy has always maintained full compliance with all local and national laws as applied by Argentine authorities.
• Each of APR Energy’s units have enclosures and exhaust silencers that considerably reduce the noise emissions of each turbine to a comfortable sound level while still allowing the delivery of reliable power.
• The technology that APR Energy uses to meet water quality and consumption requirements is clean, efficient and environmentally compliant.
• The plant uses water that is demineralized then injected into the combustion chambers of the turbines. The water leaves the turbines as steam, just like pure water from a kettle.
• By introducing the water injection process, the level of NOx emissions is reduced by more than seven times.
• APR Energy ensures that any water released undergoes treatment to mitigate environmental risk.
• APR Energy utilizes the same technology in Argentina that it does in its other sites throughout the world, often in highly regulated environments. The technology presents no meaningful health issues to citizens.
• Two panels of judges have confirmed these facts and APR Energy believes they made the right decision. Allowing operation ensures that the local power infrastructure is stable and reliable for all residents, protecting peoples’ quality of life and growing the economy.
• APR Energy’s investment in the community remains strong, as we are committed to providing power to the people of Argentina who need it.

1) LNG

Liquified natural gas (LNG) has been called an energy-sector game changer and is an alternative fuel that’s becoming increasingly in demand worldwide. Because it is the cleanest hydrocarbon, LNG is expected to continue to play a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions as it provides energy and addresses energy crises around the globe.

A report from the International Gas Union shares the value of LNG as a “resource for diversifying and securing energy supplies,” with a spokesperson saying that “Enhanced usage of natural gas is the single most effective way for the world to responsibly reduce emissions. Natural gas provides a proven solution that works in almost any application for all energy uses, is affordable and plentiful around the world.”

Additional benefits of LNG mentioned include further reduction of NOX pollutants, thereby materially contributing to the improvement of air quality; gas being more economical than oil or diesel on longer-term projects; and buyers and sellers connecting to create physical infrastructures wherein they have a mutual interest in protecting their investments and making them profitable.

2) LPG

Liquid petroleum gas (LPG), a byproduct of refineries, is another beneficial alternative fuel. Remarkably portable, this lower-cost fuel can be of exceptional value in remote locations, including but not limited to the developing world and emergency response stations. Installation and commissioning are rapid, with reliable power available in a short time frame, available for as long as it’s needed.

Additional LPG benefits include that upfront investment is minimal, and that this fuel is not typically affected by swings in pricing. Plus, users have the ability to switch seamlessly between LPG and other fuels as needed. These fuels are easily transportable and can be located near the center of demand to be monetized through mobile turbine technology.

Environmental benefits are also significant, with LPG providing 38 to 94 percent less nitrogen oxide with 20 percent less noise pollution than diesel power modules. This fuel can serve as a bridge to a better quality of life and economic growth. You can find more information about LPG benefits here.

Importance of Alternative Fuel Sources

A significant percentage of power production costs comes from the fuel, causing increasing numbers of companies to seek lower-cost alternative fuel sources. Utilities are also looking to reduce emissions and otherwise employ environmentally friendlier sources of power as they save money with alternative power sources.

APR Energy’s Turbine Technologies

Turbine technologies at APR Energy operate at highest availability throughout the year, providing reliable power. Our technology allows customers to switch among fuels, depending upon cost and availability, which has potential savings of millions of dollars annually.

The high power density of our turbines allow us to generate the same amount of power as reciprocating engines or other long term technologies, using only a fraction of the land. This makes our turbine technology ideal when there are space constraints and/or the power generation source must be centrally located.

No two situations are the same, so please contact us to talk about your unique needs for power. You can contact us online today. We deliver the solutions that best fit our customers’ needs, and we invite you to read our values statement. We look forward to speaking with you about your needs.