Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

The Polar Vortex responsible for the extreme cold weather earlier this month demonstrated that Mother Nature can wreak havoc on our way of life in many different ways. Whether it is extreme heat, cold, wind, rain or other natural phenomenon, we have no say when these events will take place. The only thing we can do is make the right preparation according to the most likely scenario in the geographical region we live in, and hope for the best. In our hyper-connected world, any type of disruption can result in a large amount of monetary loss, and the reputation of the organization can sustain irreparable damage. Having the best business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) plan in place can go a long way in ensuring an organization will continue to operate with minimal disruption.

When a BC/DR is being implemented, acquiring fuel for the back-up generators might not be high on the priority list, but it should be. Depending on the scope of the disaster that has taken place, finding fuel can be extremely difficult if not impossible.

Atlas Oil and its Emergency Fuel Solutions (EFS), specializes in emergency fueling for mission-critical businesses including hospitals, data centers, utility companies, food retailers and financial centers.

The company recommends having an emergency preparedness plan that takes into account the problems that are unique in cold weather conditions. Once a generator has been installed it is important to evaluate and address the fueling challenges in such an environment. Having a remote monitoring service for the fuel tank and reserves allows organizations to order fuel before it is needed. Because more fuel is consumed in cold weather, installing monitoring technology eliminates the guessing game, and it is able to show the exact amount of fuel that is available.

For cold climates Atlas provides different types of additives to preserve and enhance the quality of generator fuel for ensuring optimal efficiency and effectiveness. The additives improve cold flow with wax and de-icers that reduce fuel and filter plugging points in weather up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit for cold weather operability. The water-dispersant additives remove water from the fuel, thus preventing freezing, corrosion and bacterial growth.

"When most people think of power outages, they think of bad thunderstorms, tornadoes or hurricanes as the cause. The polar vortex was a stark reminder that cold weather also presents a significant risk, both to power supply and fuel efficiency. With temperatures still at or below freezing in many places across the country, now is the time for business leaders to evaluate how their plans have worked thus far, and to determine if their fueling supply is designed to overcome the current seasonal challenges," said Atlas Oil Executive VP Bob Kenyon.

In today's business environment, minimizing operational downtime is extremely important. Whether the organization is a mom and pop operation or a large enterprise, an online presence means customers are shopping from virtually every corner of the globe. If your customers can't access your services they will go elsewhere. The BC/DR plan an organization implements must include every possible scenario and have procedures in place to be up and running ASAP.