Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

Long article.... might take 2 eggnogs to get through.... rnament: :wreath: :santahat: Merry Christmas to All !

Wildfires and blackouts? Californians need solar panels and microgrids. - Vox

Some interesting points raised. This one (esp. when coming from McKinsey) really has me thinking we probably need another term, soon, besides "alternative"....

However, especially with California's rising power rates and declining power reliability, it's becoming more and more economical to become at least somewhat independent of the grid. A recent McKinsey research report on the effects of energy storage on the power system found that "partial grid defection" - which it defines as generating 80 to 90 percent of your own energy - could become economical for most customers within a decade.

Interesting times....

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

All going to plan is what I have heard... see, the big problem is always cost when it comes to the masses.

The increasing cost combined with decreased reliability has caused a surge across the board for new solar and battery system installs.

And in the midst of it California cities are banning new Natural Gas installs on new construction... placing more dependent on Electricity...

 

[buckeyefarmer]

And in the midst of it California cities are banning new Natural Gas installs on new construction... placing more dependent on Electricity...

Which is being generated more and more using natural gas.

 

[3930dave]

Which is being generated more and more using natural gas.

Do As I Say.......

Pay no Attention, to the Hypocrisy Behind The Curtain.......

Rgds, D.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Starting to look like PG&E might get out of bankruptcy on their terms. Which would mean a rapid return to business as usual. That is, raking in loot from millions of ratepayers and sending it to a handful of fund managers. While continuing to do as little infrastructure improvement as they can get by with. They did lose a trick on profit margins. They asked for a rise from 10% to 16% because the fires and liability make them a less attractive investment. Unlike the common practice for decades past, the public utilities commission did not agree to that.

The latest testimony from the CEO was to expect widespread outages for the next 5 years. That is down from the previous prediction, which was for 10 years of routine outages.

I wonder if there are any households left that are not planning for solar and/or generator backup as soon as they can get it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Some saw me as very wise simply because I own generators plus an assortment of extension cords.

Since the blackouts I know if several battery installs and generator purchases.

The generators are folks that never owned anything with a small gas engine

 

[3930dave]

That is, raking in loot from millions of ratepayers and sending it to a handful of fund managers.

Well, real-estate agents listing big compounds in Belize gotta eat too !

I consider electricity an essential service. So much money is at play, that it's been gamed otherwise in many jurisdictions.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

The generators are folks that never owned anything with a small gas engine

Except for the few going propane, gonna be some great deals on non-starting generators for you to pick from in the not-distant future.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Just keeps getting better...... I was actually hoping the writer had it wrong, when I started into the article......

Wildfire Victims Don't Have Cell Service Thanks to Greedy Telecoms - VICE

The later details seem to bear up though........ sounds like backup power on cell sites is thin/rare in many parts of the USA.

I'm now seriously curious as to what the site practices/standards are up Nord here......

Rgds, D.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

The later details seem to bear up though........ sounds like backup power on cell sites is thin/rare in many parts of the USA.

I'm now seriously curious as to what the site practices/standards are up Nord here......

Rgds, D.

I’m not that familiar with US sites but up here...

The level of backup depends on the importance of the traffic the site handles. Low priority sites with only cellular and data, particularly in rural areas with lower traffic will only have battery backup to last anywhere from 2 to 12 hours depending on traffic load.

Sites with higher commercial impact and those that experience longer outages often have DC generators that feed directly into the battery system. Both of these provide very limited backup capability since they don’t run the HVAC systems and the sites will shutdown in either very hot or very cold conditions.

Sites that have high volume/value commercial traffic and those that serve as network hubs will have a standard 35-60kw diesel backup system to run normally without utility. Depending on access they can have anywhere from 24 hours of fuel to a month worth for mountain top sites that aren’t accessible by road in winter.

Many sites have emergency communications share the tower and provide the financial support for a full backup system which is really a win win for everyone.