Traditional home generators are engine driven mechanical systems, typically fueled by natural gas or propane. Upon the loss of utility power, the generator engine starts and an automatic transfer switch safely connects your home to generator power, which takes from 10 to 30 seconds, depending on the generator brand. When utility power is restored, the automatic transfer switch reverses the process.
A generator system should be sized to meet your basic needs such as lighting, furnace, refrigerators, appliances, well pump, as well as your largest connected loads – typically air-conditioning, heat pump systems and electric water heating. The greater your electric load, the larger generator you need and the higher your fuel consumption. Traditional generator systems have served the market well, and properly maintained, will meet the needs of a home throughout a power outage. The challenge with propane can be the cost as well as ensuring an adequate fuel supply throughout an extended power outage.
Depending on the weather, your energy needs, and duration of the outage, the generator may or may not need to serve the largest loads during a power outage. As such, the generator may be running for an extended period of time and not doing much work, while using valuable fuel. Enter the hybrid generator energy storage solution.
Energy storage has been an evolving technology that has recently come of age. In 2021 Briggs & Stratton, our longest standing generator supplier, acquired SimpliPhi (a lithium-ion battery manufacturer).
Here’s how a hybrid energy storage system works. When the power goes out, the SimpliPhi Energy Storage Solution (ESS) immediately starts (4 milliseconds) serving your home. The generator remains off, but ready. If the duration of the power outage exceeds the capacity of your stored energy bank (typically 8 to 12 hours), SimpliPhi ESS automatically starts your generator, serving your home while recharging the batteries. When the batteries are recharged, the generator turns off, saving natural gas or propane energy. An important benefit, beyond saving the costs of energy, is that your generator life is extended since its operating hours are reduced substantially.
GenSpring Power is an authorized Briggs & Stratton dealer and Georgia’s first certified SimpliPhi Elite installer. We installed the first SimpliPhi ESS in Georgia and now have multiple systems up and running. For more information about all of our products and services please visit our website – genspringpower.com.