Puerto Rico Food Storage Uses Emergency Power

There are two types of food storage facilities, wholesale and retail. Wholesale facilities are constructed as large warehouses. They supply inventory to retail installations, such as restaurants and grocery stores. It is common for the building to have more than one climate-controlled area. Standard areas are:

Dry Cooler - Evaporative style system with air circulating around cooling medium. Temperature is reduced by evaporation of water, which is sometimes called a swamp cooler. These are used for storage of fresh produce and perishable foods.

Freezer- Comprised of a complete cooling system including, compressor, receiver dryer, condenser and evaporator. It is a pressurized system that cools from medium changing states. Used for storing frozen products.

Cool Dock Space - Can be climate controlled from the building's Heating Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) system. This keeps products as close to stored temperature prior to loading and helps with shelf life.

Retail facilities can range from large complexes to small buildings with a single cooler. Large buildings are constructed with HVAC systems to keep produce at the correct temperature levels. Multiple freezers store various frozen goods. Coolers store diary items, eggs, fresh meats and fish.

Puerto Rico Facility Requires Generator Power

Power is a critical component in the storage of food supplies. When temperatures increase because of lack of power, the shelf life of food decreases. In hot, humid climates the degradation is accelerated. Businesses can suffer large financial losses because of spoiled products. Islands pose an additional level of difficulty when storing perishable products.

Hurricane Maria devastated the electrical infrastructure of Puerto Rico. A National Public Radio (NPR) July 17, 2018 newscast published that thousands of residents are still without power. A mass resignation of the board of directors took place and the announcement of salary cuts.

Hurricane season is here. Coupled with electrical infrastructure issues, many businesses are choosing to upgrade/install emergency power generation systems.

Our Team recently helped a client in the food storage and distribution industry located in Puerto Rico with a 1000 kW Caterpillar diesel generator. They are now assured that when power fails, they will have an emergency power supply.

The generator pictured here is one of many generators we have sold and shipped to businesses and government facilities in Puerto Rico.

Generator Source offers low-hour pre-owned, new and surplus generators. We offer immediate availability, and a used unit offers additional savings in purchase cost. Visit the Used Generators section and the New Generators section of our website to see our generator inventory. Contact us with any questions you have.

Story Summary

What types of food storage facilities are common?
There are two main types:

• Wholesale facilities: Large warehouses that supply inventory to retail locations
• Retail facilities: Range from large complexes to small buildings with coolers/freezers

What are the key areas in wholesale food storage facilities?

• Dry cooler: Uses evaporative cooling for fresh produce and perishables
• Freezer: Complete cooling system for frozen products
• Cool dock space: Climate-controlled area for maintaining temperatures during loading

Why is emergency power critical for food storage in Puerto Rico?

• Power outages can lead to temperature increases and rapid food spoilage
• Hot, humid climate accelerates food degradation without proper cooling
• Businesses can suffer large financial losses from spoiled inventory

How did Hurricane Maria impact Puerto Rico's power infrastructure?

• Devastated the electrical grid, leaving thousands without power for extended periods
• Led to mass resignations of utility board members and announced salary cuts
• Highlighted the vulnerability of the power system to hurricanes

What steps are businesses taking to prepare for future outages?

• Many are upgrading or installing emergency power generation systems
• Diesel generators (e.g. 1000 kW Caterpillar) are being purchased to ensure backup power
• This provides assurance that food storage facilities can maintain proper temperatures during outages

Why is reliable power especially important for food storage on an island?

• Limited ability to quickly resupply or relocate inventory
• Increased dependence on local storage for food security
• Higher costs associated with importing food make preventing spoilage crucial