Cat® Backup Generator Keeps Suburban Propane Powered Up
Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban Propane distributes propane, fuel oil, and refined fuels to more than one million residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers in 41 states.
With 475 customer service centers located across the country in suburban and rural areas where natural gas is not readily available, Suburban’s headquarters requires constant power for its data center. It had an existing backup generator sized only for powering its data center during an outage. However, after Superstorm Sandy knocked out utility power for seven days, the management team decided more backup power was necessary to keep the building fully operational in the event of a prolonged outage.
Suburban Propane provides reliable service to homes and businesses in 41 states.
Experiencing a seven-day power outage following Superstorm Sandy convinced management that the facility required more backup power.
Suburban Propane’s 400 kW Cat® G3412 generator set is housed in a mobile container, which is moved into position and hooked up to the building when it is needed.
While the G3412 genset is typically fueled by pipeline natural gas, Suburban Propane’s G3412 is capable of running on propane that comes from on-site 30,000-gallon tanks.
Under its Customer Value Agreement with Foley Power Systems, technicians inspect and maintain the generator set quarterly and conduct an annual full load test.
In 2014, Suburban Propane worked with Cat® dealer Foley Power Systems to acquire a 400 kW Cat G3412 generator set to provide backup power to its Plaza 2 building, which houses information technology and human resources. Running at 60 percent of its capacity, the genset provides full power to the building running on propane that comes from on-site 30,000-gallon tanks. Plus, it’s housed in a mobile container, offering greater flexibility when the connecting the generator.
Suburban Propane chose Caterpillar due to its reputation for quality and reliable performance. Suburban has a Customer Value Agreement with Foley, through which technicians provide maintenance and inspections as well as an annual full load test. Additionally, Foley Power Systems is located only 20 miles from Suburban, which allows for quicker service.
Al Pierce, senior facility manager for Suburban Propane in Whippany, says, “We like Foley because we know we can count on them for prompt service, much like our customers count on us for prompt delivery of fuel.”
