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Enchanted Rock proposes modular natural‑gas generation for on‑site reliability; company says technology cuts emissions versus diesel backup
Summary
Enchanted Rock told the committee its modular natural‑gas reciprocating engines can provide rapid, ultra‑low‑emission on‑site power for data centers and critical facilities, replacing diesel backups and supporting grid reliability, and noted the technology complies with California emission standards.
Scott Lipton, director of energy policy for Enchanted Rock, briefed the committee on modular, ultra‑low‑emission natural‑gas generation as a market solution for fast, reliable on‑site power. Lipton said colocated gas generation can act as bridge power to bring large loads online faster than waiting for transmission or new utility generation, provide flexible capacity during grid constraints, and replace diesel backup generators commonly used by data centers. "Provides, bridge power when the grid is unavailable," Lipton said.
Lipton described multiple operating modes: front‑of‑meter microgrids serving communities, behind‑the‑meter solutions serving high‑reliability customers like data centers, and hybrid models paired with renewables and storage. He noted modular gas generation can be sited on distribution lines rather than requiring high‑pressure transmission interconnection and that modern modular units meet stringent emissions thresholds. "It is the only generating technology to meet the California Air Resource Board distributed generation emission standard," Lipton said, and described this as a way to reduce diesel-related air impacts and speed permitting in areas with air‑quality constraints.
Committee members endorsed the market-driven aspect of the proposal. Representative Shelley said the approach "solves a problem through the market rather than through subsidies." Lipton said Enchanted Rock units can reach high reliability ("5 nines") and serve as both a substitute for diesel and as a bridge to longer‑term grid upgrades.
Ending: Lipton offered to answer follow-up questions and provide technical materials; the company framed modular natural‑gas units as an available, low‑emission, market‑driven option to improve reliability while the broader supply and transmission build‑out proceeds.
