July 4, 2023 – Home Owners, Propane Answers
Propane is commonly grouped with traditional heating fuels. However, when taking a closer look, propane is a clean form of energy. Advances in propane sourcing and processing are competitive with those selling solar energy, hydro, wind, and other renewable fuel sources. This shows that propane can be a viable renewable energy fuel source.
Here are a few reasons to consider propane as a clean and green option to fuel our daily lives.
What is Propane?
Let’s start with a quick lesson on propane to answer some of the most common renewable energy questions. To begin, propane isn’t natural gas. Nor is it oil. This substance is either gaseous or liquid, depending on the storage temperature. Traditionally, it is a byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining.
Propane is also one of the simplest hydrocarbons available. It is light, burns clean, and is unique because it’s the only alternative fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992.
How Propane Partners Well With the Renewable Energy Industry
Propane traditionally comes from two fossil fuels. As a byproduct of those fuels, it is often grouped with their negative reputations.
However, when considering propane’s role in the energy industry, it is more of a go-between. In essence, it functions as a bridge from past pollutants like crude oil to the renewable energies of the future.
The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) describes propane as “environmentally friendly energy for everyone.” In February, the organization reinforced this message when it presented at the 2023 World Ag Expo, emphasizing the importance of propane as an effective fuel to use alongside other renewable energies.
PERC’s argument isn’t that propane is the most eco-friendly fuel. Rather, propane’s triumph comes from its low-pollution nature compared to traditional fossil fuels. Propane is incredibly efficient and meets both traditional and rising energy demands. It’s the perfect bridge between the past and the future.
Even compared to electricity, propane is a viable option. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that, in 2022, electricity production made up 31% of total U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions. PERC explained that propane produces fewer emissions compared to the level of electricity the U.S. grid generates. This makes propane a low-carbon fuel alternative. Because it’s non-toxic or poisonous, there isn’t the risk of soil or groundwater contamination.
New Propane for Cleaner Times
Propane is evolving with the times, too. As mentioned, it was historically a fuel originally derived directly from crude oil refining and natural gas processing. However, certain developments in the propane industry have made it possible to create “renewable propane.”
This is a chemically identical form of propane. However, it is sourced from biomass-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil and animal fats. The result is sustainable propane energy, even cleaner than traditional propane in regular use.
A Clean Energy Source That is Only Getting Better
Propane may come from fossil fuels, but it doesn’t have the same impact as one. The gas burns clean and delivers dependable power for a wide variety of uses across many different industries.
Propane clean energy is an excellent choice for those seeking powerful energy options. It meets everyday needs and conforms to the increasing standards of the energy industry. Additionally, it effectively bridges the gap from the past to a brighter future, and it continues to evolve and improve along the way.