Gensets used to provide backup power are becoming more common among small businesses, according to a story at Forester Daily News.

The story points out that the overall genset market is growing and that big users, such as datacenters and manufacturers, by their sheer size are driving that growth. However, small businesses – such as convenience stores – are seeing increasing reasons to have backup power.

There are several drivers. Perhaps the most potent is public image. Convenience stores increasingly are expected to stay open through bad weather and other emergencies. The thought is that people will remember those that do and those that don’t once the sun comes back out. Those with gensets also will have a more immediate advantage:

xxx But those businesses that consumers will seek out in blackouts, such as pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations, could realize significant economic benefits from gensets. The ability to remain open and sell gas, groceries, and medication during power outages is an obvious benefit.

The story also points out that gensets protect perishable inventory, keep security systems running, prevent pipes from busting and in some cases protect gear that is sensitive to temperature extremes. Gensets also have evolved and are available in size options better suited for smaller businesses. Vendors also have cut down on noise.

Gensets are an element of backup and redundancy plans. The Journal of Business, which covers areas in the northwest, profiled Mark Jacobus, who launched a PowerCheck LLC after Superstorm Sandy battered the east coast in 2012. Jacobus, who lived in New Jersey at the time, saw how long it took small businesses to get back online – and that some businesses never recovered. PowerCheck, aims to help ensure that organizations have backup plans in place.