When Power Fails, Dual fuel Keeps the Lights On

Seasonal storms regularly threaten to make the power grid unreliable in Patterson, N.Y. The Watchtower complex cannot afford to be in the dark due to a blackout.

Regardless of the weather, work has to go on at Watchtower, where the Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain offices and train missionaries. About 1,200 people live and work at the campus.

The facility has three 725 kw engines for on-site generation, giving it added security and the ability to “peak shave.” When power rates are at their peak, the facility shaves its bill by generating its own electricity.

Two of the generators run on 100 percent natural gas. The third, a diesel generator, was converted to APG’s Dual fuel. Converting to Dual fuel is cheaper than converting to 100 percent natural gas, since it does not alter the way the engine works. And Dual fuel allows the engine to use 100 percent diesel if natural gas supplies are interrupted.

“In case of emergency, we have the flexibility of using diesel to keep our emergency systems running,” says Juan Mata, plant manager of the Watchtower complex. “Dual fuel allows us to perform without interruption. We have both flexibility and security.”

For more information about APG’s Dual fuel technology, call 866-994-7697.