21st century power grid

[offgridgirl]

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/07/power-grid/achenbach-text

Here is a really great article on "the power grid" Go read it!!:cowboy:

[Equine_Woman]

Great article!! I would love to get off the grid like you. When we build we are really going to look at alternative energy sources and green living. I'd love to be able to make our own energy!! I had no idea how antiquated the current system is. They are installing Smart boxes all over this area. People are complaining because their bills are doubling and tripling. It hasn't left a good taste in peoples mouth. Everyone in this area thinks the smart boxes are flawed. Thanks for the article!!

[offgridgirl]

And Texas is one of the areas with windmill generation! You guys are set-up if other systems fail. Glad u enjoyed the article.:)

[Painted Horse]

The article doesn't address the difference in cost to generate electricity. The electricity that comes from wind farms is almost 7x as expensive as that from Hydro generation. Solar is way more than that. I believe I heard a number of 22x the cost of Hydro. They figure most wind farms produce power 20-25% of the time. The ones in Wyoming are better, but still only achieve 30% production. In addition, wind and solar farms are located in remote locations. The old "Not in my back yard" still applys to construction. This means that in order to tranmit the exlectricity they produce new high capacity tranmission lines must be built. So we have a huge expense in power lines that only carry power 20-30% of the time.

The grid managers also have to keep in reserve a certain percentage of excess electricity to compensate for when the wind stops are the sun goes behind a cloud. So instead of shuting down a hydro or nuclear generator when Wind power comes online. It's often kept running to provide the back up incase the renewable source goes dark. Kinda of defeating the purpose.

Those who manage the grid are some what concerned over what will happen when and if electric cars become popular. They fear a hot summer afternoon and everybody coming home from work and pluging in their electric car to charge. With out some sort of smart meter that would force folks to recharge their cars at night, they will do what is convienent and plug them in as they park them.

[offgridgirl]

You are correct. The article doesn't address the cost. It is about the antiquated power grid and how really poorly thought-out it is and how prone it is to a cascade failure. What would you do with out power for 3 months?? for 6 months??? How would you flush your toilet?? Do things after dark??? Watch the news??

We live on wind and solar, MOST of the year. For us the cost is going down every year. My neighbor spent $50K just for their hydro hook-up(they got a grant to run the lines down the road, 100K) and keep on paying and paying and paying. I don't have to worry "when the power goes out!!" Ever!! We have spent maybe 15K?? and it is all clean energy!! No pollution!! What is wrong with that???

Decentralizing and making home owners responsible to provide for themselves will make everyone's life better and help mother earth in the process. When electric cars are the norm, then they will have self-regeneration not need to be"plug-in" There are already smart meters available and if you have the money, then go for it.

I challenged anyone un-plug all appliances over night for one month. I bet it will reduce your bill by at least 1/3!! If you pre-heated your water(black hose on your roof), it would reduce it some more!!:)