Industrial warehouse that can maintain full electrical power even during utility outage
Extreme weather power outages are on the rise, impacting businesses nationwide.
Data from Climate Central shows that of all the major U.S. power outages reported between 2000 and 2023, 80% were related to weather with 58% being caused by severe weather.
Experts warn that climate change will likely make these events, including periods of high winds, rain, and thunderstorms, more frequent and intense. Hurricanes and wildfires are also intensifying, directly impacting the grid-sourced power supply.
If you have not yet experienced the negative impact of an outage, now is the perfect time to develop a business power continuity plan. If you have been affected, you know how crucial a reliable backup power supply is for your business’s future.
Here’s how to prepare.
Why Should You Plan for Extreme Weather Now?
As the duration, frequency, and severity of extreme weather events increase, the risk of significant outages also grows.
One primary reason is that the electrical grid is already under immense strain, with some regions more vulnerable than others. For example, extreme summer heat will likely cause energy shortages and blackouts this summer, particularly in states like Arizona, Kentucky, Texas, and dozens of others.
With extreme weather and blackouts rising, grid reliability is a concern among businesses. To prepare, businesses must develop a business continuity plan for extreme weather power outages. These plans will differ depending on the business, which is why working with a power supply expert is beneficial. This proactive partnership will help you prepare for unexpected outages.
What to Consider for Business Power Continuity
The most important step when planning for extreme weather power outages is to understand the risks so that you can take action before an emergency occurs. If you wait, it will be too late. Trying to source backup power equipment at the last minute, especially when in high demand, can place your business at risk of failure.
Consider the following when creating your plan:
- You need the appropriate insurance coverage based on your facility and area. For example, is your area prone to flooding? If so, do you have insurance that covers you for flooding-related damage?
- Create an evacuation plan and communicate it with your staff in advance. Providing training for certain staff members, who will have specific roles, can help drive continuity.
- Regularly backup digital files and properly store important documentation.
- Reliable power supply and network connectivity must be prioritized. Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and backup generators are vital.
What Weather-Related Power Solutions are Available?
While there isn’t an immediate push to switch to strictly renewables, implementing a hybrid system or a reliable backup system is becoming paramount. The best equipment and setup will depend on several variables: location, budget, power requirements, and compliance concerns.
For example, an expanding, off-grid agricultural operation may leverage solar power by investing in energy storage solutions. However, to ensure no power loss during extreme weather, all businesses concerned about power supply should have a backup generator on-site. The generator size you require will depend on several variables, so a generator application study is ideal.
This study will give you a clearer picture of your backup power requirements so that you’re not stuck with insufficient power when you need it most. In addition, you may require equipment to ensure an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This is necessary for certain industries and businesses, such as those in the healthcare field. Losing power for even just a few minutes could harm patient safety. In other cases, such as data centers or government buildings, power loss can lead to security issues.
So, whether you’re concerned about financial losses or your reputation, a UPS solution can protect you against downtime.
Automatic transfer switches for generators are another invaluable addition during emergencies. For example, if the grid is down, an automatic transfer switch will turn on your generator, reducing the risks associated with power loss. Once grid power becomes available again, it will automatically switch back, shutting down the generator.
These systems allow you to focus on business operations, safety concerns, and other essential matters — you don’t need to waste valuable time when you lose power.
GPS Provides Critical Power Solutions
Uninterrupted power during an outage could be the difference between your business suffering and growing. Global Power Supply (GPS) designs, installs, and maintains customized backup power solutions, ensuring businesses like yours aren’t without power. We support businesses across various industries, including oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and many more.
Our team works closely with each client to develop tailored backup power solutions, helping them remain competitive and prepared. So, whether you want to take advantage of our turnkey solutions or seek business continuity rentals during an emergency, GPS has the inventory and expert team you need to keep your business operational.
Have questions about your options? Contact our expert team to discuss your power continuity plan today!