Is It Time to Find Renewable Alternatives to Fossil Fuel Generators?
Fossil fuel generators have long played a part in off-grid power. From disaster response to food trucks, fossil fuel generators are a cheap, readily available option to provide off-grid power. But as the market for fossil fuel generators continues to increase, it’s safe to wonder, is this the best option for off-grid power?
Let’s take a look at why demand is increasing for fossil fuel generators. Fossil fuel generators are often used as a backup power source where grid connectivity may be limited or unstable. Key factors driving growth for this market include reliance on digital technology and electronics, industrial growth and disaster preparedness.
By 2029, the fossil fuel generator market is expected to reach 26.09 Billion with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% (data). Globally, fossil fuel generators are becoming more popular due to low operating costs, especially where power demand grows faster than supply (i.e., in developing regions). In the U.S., demand for fossil fuel generators is increasing due to the rising costs of power outages and their impact on emergency power supply and business continuity. The U.S. market is also driven by the rising vulnerability of grid power stations to natural/weather and manmade disasters.
While fossil fuel generators offer lifesaving power, there are several downsides to consider as we look at alternative off-grid power generation opportunities.
Noise pollution
A fairly small generator could have an output of 50 kW and generate as much noise as city traffic, or about 85 decibels. In contrast, 1,500 kW models may emit about 105 decibels, which you could compare to the sound of a jet airplane flying about 1,000 feet over your head (data). The most common health problems from noise pollution include noise-induced hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart disease, stress and sleep disturbances.
Emission of hazardous gas contributing to climate change
Fossil fuel generators emit toxic fumes and add particulates to air and water ecosystems, compounding environmental damage after extreme weather events, and the CO2 emitted contributes to climate change, resulting in more extreme weather disasters. A typical fossil-fuel generator emits 2.15 times more CO2 than the U.S. grid (data).
Unsafe conditions that can result in sickness and/or death
More than 900 people died of carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators between 2005 and 2017, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC data also indicate that an estimated 15,400 people were treated in emergency rooms for portable generator-related carbon monoxide poisoning during that period (Consumer Reports).
Reliant on diesel supply chain, which may be disrupted during weather disasters
Hurricanes and other weather and climate disasters often shut down diesel supply chains for days. In 2023, after Hurricane Ida in Florida, weather conditions made fuel deliveries unsafe for days.
Over the past 15 years (2005-2019), there have been 156 separate billion-dollar weather or climate disasters in the U.S. that have cost a combined $1.16 trillion in damages (NOAA). As weather disasters are predicted to increase each year, the demand for off-grid power options will continue to increase. There is an urgent need for reliable, renewably-powered solutions to make a difference now, especially for socially vulnerable communities more impacted by these disruptions.
An Alternative Solution
One alternative solution is Sesame Solar’s Renewable Mobile Nanogrid. Fueled by solar + green hydrogen + battery storage, these Mobile Nanogrids bring power and essential services when and where needed and are easily set up by 1 person in less than 15 minutes. They provide a continuous loop of reliable, renewable energy—like an energy-independent power plant—so there are no supply logistics or downtime like there are with fossil fuel. These Nanogrids operate in all weather conditions and have up to 150 square feet of interior space for anything from a mobile medical center to a communications hub or a kitchen. These are fast to deploy, easy to use, and flexible for dozens of use cases.
So, while there remains a place for life-saving fossil-fuel generators as the market transitions to safer, more reliable, renewable off-grid power options, we should ask how we speed up this transition?
