Louisiana is one of the parts of the country most affected by extreme weather events. Hurricanes knock out power for days or even weeks at a time, and flooding often makes it impossible to travel to get fuel for generators. That’s a serious concern for everyone, but especially for hospitals that depend on electricity to run crucial, life-saving equipment.

To address this problem, Baton Rouge General at Mid City and Bluebonnet have partnered with Entergy to install 21 new gas generators supplied by Enchanted Rock. The natural gas generators will ensure that the hospitals can keep caring for patients even when the grid fails. 

The Power Through Program

Entergy recently launched its Power Through program, which helps hospitals and other businesses get generators to keep their operations running even if the rest of the region has lost power. Baton Rouge General is the first company in the area to partner with Entergy. 

Entergy’s program has funded over $6 million for the 21 generators that the hospital needs, while Senator Franklin Foil put up the rest of the amount, which was around $9 million.

When the hospital asked for Foil’s help, he quickly got on board because he knew that the facility served not only his district but the whole Baton Rouge community.

What the Generators Offer

The 21 new generators will provide a crucial lifeline for the hospital. They don’t depend on diesel, which can be almost impossible to obtain during emergencies, but are instead powered by natural gas, which is more readily available and has a delivery system not easily impacted by most natural events.

Although the project took three years to come to fruition, it’s easy to see why these generators are the right choice. They’ll make it possible for power to be sent through the entire hospital campus and not just sections of it, allowing patients to stay in their respective wings. Moreover, they can provide backup power for the surrounding areas. 

Natural gas generators, such as the ones offered by Texas-based microgrid manufacturer Enchanted Rock, are not only powerful but also make hospitals and other facilities more energy-resilient.

Enchanted Rock goes one step further by offering renewable natural gas generators, which are even more efficient and environmentally friendly. 

Baton Rouge General: Becoming a Power Hub for the Community

The hospitals’ needs will come first if the power grid fails, but both facilities are ready to provide essential electricity to their communities.

That’s exactly what happened in Houston after Hurricane Beryl swept through the city. When diesel-powered generators ran down and more fuel wasn’t available, gas-fired generators and microgrids came to the rescue. Just a few of these generators were enough to keep hospitals, pharmacies, daycares, and supermarkets running.

By thinking ahead and taking advantage of Entergy’s Power Through program, Baton Rouge General at Mid City and Bluebonnet will be ready to meet both their patients’ needs and those of the broader community by 2025.

Learn more by reading the original post at Yahoo News.