Scott MacKenzie interviews Allan Schurr, Chief Commercial Officer at Enchanted Rock, about their on-site generation solutions using natural gas reciprocating engines. Enchanted Rock provides backup power for data centers and other industrial customers, offering services to the grid when needed. They have 370 microgrid sites and 2,000 generators, with the largest sites having over 100 generators. Schurr discusses the benefits of natural gas over diesel, the importance of proactive maintenance using data analytics, and the potential for nuclear power in the future. Enchanted Rock is vertically integrated, handling EPC, manufacturing, O&M, and market-facing work.

Action Items

• [ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Connect with Allan Schurr on LinkedIn.
• [ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Provide Allan Schurr's contact information (email: [email protected]) on the Industrial Talk podcast website.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome

• Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, highlighting its focus on industry professionals and innovations.
• Scott thanks the listeners for joining and mentions the podcast's sponsor, Siemens, and their involvement in the Dallas event.
• Scott introduces the guest, Allan Schurr, Chief Commercial Officer at Enchanted Rock, and sets the stage for the conversation.

Allan Schurr's Background

• Allan Schurr shares his background, starting with his work in the power generation department at PG&E and moving to customer-side energy solutions.
• He discusses his experience with deregulation in California and his roles at various companies, including Silicon Energy, Itron, IBM, and Edison International.
• Allan mentions his current role at Enchanted Rock and his extensive experience in the energy sector.

Enchanted Rock's Solutions and Market Position

• Allan explains Enchanted Rock's focus on on-site generation using natural gas reciprocating engines for backup power.
• He highlights the company's ability to provide services to the grid and their involvement in large projects, particularly with data centers.
• Scott and Allan discuss the challenges faced by data centers in terms of power requirements and the need for backup solutions.

Grid Stress and Data Center Solutions

• Allan elaborates on how data centers can provide backup power during grid stress and the benefits of on-site generation.
• He explains the role of grid operators in managing capacity and the potential for data centers to provide interconnection faster.
• Scott and Allan discuss the technical aspects of dispatching on-site generation and the advantages of natural gas over diesel.

Vertical Integration and Market Strategy

• Allan details Enchanted Rock's vertical integration, including EPC, manufacturing, O&M, and market-facing work.
• He emphasizes the importance of assurance in providing backup power and the company's ability to finance projects if needed.
• Scott and Allan discuss the role of on-site generation as a peaker reserve and the benefits of scarcity pricing models.

Future of Energy and Technological Advancements

• Scott and Allan discuss the future of energy, with a focus on nuclear power and its potential to become a significant part of the energy mix.
• They touch on the role of solar, batteries, and dispatchable gas assets in the energy landscape.
• Allan explains the benefits of reciprocating engines for on-site generation and their ability to handle cycling and maintenance.

Data Management and Proactive Maintenance

• Allan describes Enchanted Rock's data management practices, including the monitoring of 370 microgrid sites and 2000 generators.
• He explains how the company uses data for pattern recognition and proactive maintenance to avoid failures.
• Scott and Allan discuss the importance of standardizing on a single module generator for comparable data across all sites.

Normalization and Location Considerations

• Allan explains how Enchanted Rock normalizes data to account for environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity.
• He highlights the company's experience with sites across various locations, from California to the Mid-Atlantic and Texas.
• Scott and Allan discuss the challenges and benefits of managing assets in different geographical locations.

Contact Information and Closing Remarks

• Allan provides his contact information, including his email and LinkedIn profile, for listeners interested in connecting with him.
• Scott thanks Allan for the conversation and highlights the importance of the work being done by Enchanted Rock in the energy sector.
• Scott wraps up the podcast, encouraging listeners to connect with Allan and emphasizing the rapid changes in the world of distribution and utilities.