Emergency backup generators headed to Gopher State

The emergency power supplies will back up radio towers used for 911 and emergency communication systems and ensure uninterrupted service for five Scott County, Minn., communities during power surges, outages and rolling blackouts.

Under its contract with the state, Minnetonka, Minn.-based Titan Energy Systems, a subsidiary of Titan Energy Worldwide Inc., will supply five 35-kilowatt natural-gas engine generators manufactured by Generac Power Systems of Waukesha, Wis.

The generators will be integrated into equipment shelters located in the Scott County communities. Per code, the power systems will ensure that 911 systems will operate for at least 72 hours (full load) during power interruptions.

“Authorities at all levels of government are mandating new electrical code requirements for on-site backup power in emergency operating systems,” said Tom Vagts, Titan Energy’s chief operating officer. “This represents the 36th project Titan has completed for 911 systems in the last three years. We anticipate a growing demand for our ability to deliver turnkey backup power solutions that ensure reliable emergency communication systems during and after power interruptions and natural disasters.”

Titan has installed similar power setups to ensure 911 system reliability and continuity in a number of Midwest states, including Iowa, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota. The units provide standby power when grids are disrupted during transient surges, harmonic distortion and single-source power-supply interruption.

Damaged equipment due to these interruptions cause as much as 85 percent of user downtime, according to Titan Energy estimates. The investment in a standby generator set can be recouped in the first significant outage, a Titan Energy spokesman told GovPro.com.