 Since its inception back in 1912, the propane industry has been marked by steady growth and continual innovation. For many years, propane was known as “the gas beyond the mains,” because it was primarily used in locations outside the reach of utility natural gas pipes. By 2000, however, the propane industry had grown to become a $30 billion business, and today is recognized as one of the preferred energy sources for many residential, commercial and industrial applications.
Around the house, propane is commonly used to fuel furnaces, boilers, water heaters, kitchen appliances, clothes dryers, outdoor grills, fireplaces, and standby generators. In recent years, propane has been used as an energy source for several new and innovative products, including: tankless water heaters that heat water on-demand and deliver an endless supply of hot water when needed, mosquito magnets that attract and destroy biting insects that can carry disease and ruin backyard picnics; pool heaters that allow water temperature control with a thermostat to extend the swimming season, and patio heaters that can raise outdoor entertainment area temperatures by as much as 10-20 degrees during spring and fall.
At the same time, this safe, clean, and highly efficient fuel can be found on the cutting edge of technological innovations in agriculture, fuel cell technology, and industrial and fleet vehicles.
For example, propane is now used in flame sanitation equipment to sanitize poultry houses and to control pathogens such as avian influenza, salmonella, E. coli, and coliform. Out in the fields, propane is used for weed control, helping to increase crop yields. In both cases, the use of extreme heat avoids the need for potentially harmful chemicals. Propane is also used on farms for irrigation pumps, pest control and grain dryers, and it is an essential fuel for crop drying and fruit ripening.
With the high cost of running traditional electric service to remote locations such as vacation homes, local generation – or an “off-the-grid” power system – fueled by propane has become an increasingly attractive alternative. With its ability to be delivered practically anywhere and its on-site storage capabilities, propane is on the cutting edge as a logical choice for powering fuel cells that are capable of generating electricity quietly, efficiently and without the emissions associated with most fossil-fueled power generators. Further, propane hybrid systems can be used in combination with solar and wind power technologies for clean, sustainable power generation.
Because of its clean-burning characteristics, propane also has become an increasingly popular fuel for vehicles in metropolitan areas that are working to minimize air pollution. Today there are more than 200,000 propane vehicles on the road in the United States; and about 9 million worldwide. Vehicles most commonly powered by propane include delivery vans, taxis, and medium-to-heavy duty trucks such as shuttles, trolleys, and school buses. With continued focus on fuel efficiency and the reduction of harmful emissions from fuel sources, propane vehicles will continue to play an important role in the future.
Clearly, propane is no longer just a fuel for use “beyond the mains.” Instead, it is now used by millions of people each day – in homes, in businesses, and on farms.
It’s now part of the mainstream.For more information, visit www.nypropane.com
Michael Gioffre chairs the Marketing Committee of the New York Propane Gas Association, based in Albany, NY. He has worked in the propane industry for more than 14 years
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