United Rentals outlines benefits of hybrid power solutions

United Rentals has released a white paper detailing the benefits of pairing a BESS with a power generator. (Photos: United Rentals)

United Rentals, Inc., the world’s largest equipment rental company, has released a white paper titled, “Hybrid Power Solutions: The Future of Portable Power,” which explores pairing battery energy storage systems (BESS) with power generators.

The company said industry worksites can be more efficient and sustainable by implementing hybrid power solutions.

“Hybrid power solutions can help companies by supplying the power they need for productivity and safety in a way that lowers operations costs and emissions,” said Dan Gribbell, PHVAC Region sales and marketing director at United Rentals.

“United Rentals can help companies leverage a hybrid power solution that addresses their specific power requirements, including hydrogen or propane generators used with a BESS or on their own, so their businesses stay agile and responsive.”

A United Rentals battery energy storage system.

Here’s how a BESS and a power generator working together can save energy: According to the white paper, when a BESS is connected to a power generator, the generator recharges the BESS batteries as the system runs, and in low-load situations, the BESS turns the generator off and carries the load on its own until the demand for energy increases, at which point the BESS restarts the generator.

United Rentals said a recent project saw a large construction customer reduce costs by 34% and lower generator runtime by two-thirds.

Charging a BESS’ high-density lithium battery system can provide remote site power; charge electric vehicles, tools and other equipment; and deliver emergency backup power.

An additional benefit of using a BESS to power equipment is the reduction of worksite noise levels by up to 90% compared to traditional generator-only projects.

United Rentals’ white paper also shows that hybrid power solutions can reduce ongoing maintenance costs because battery systems require less maintenance than generators, in addition to generators requiring less maintenance as runtime is reduced.

Minimizing generator overuse can lead to longer service intervals, lengthier equipment lifespans and lower consumption of oil and filters by fossil fuel-powered generators, according to United Rentals.