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  • Author Author: rscasny
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Has the time come for the decentralized power grid?

In some circles, the centralized power grid most nations have is on par with the dinosaur: big, clumsy and a thing of the past.

 

Whether it be the excessive costs of building and maintaining a centralized power grid, the occurrence of too many power blackouts from centralized power, or the risk of hackers and other bad actors impacting its power reliability, the need for a decentralized power grid on a national scale is critical to human civilization.

 

A decentralized power grid can include solar, geothermal, wind, or any number of innovative renewable technologies. They can include microgrids or even what I like to call the home grid. Power is generated locally and more cost effectively.

 

Here's the question: Has the time come for the decentralized power grid?

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  • My local power net has been so unreliable that I installed a whole house generator about 5 years ago.

    Now while my neighbors are in the dark, I have full power.

     

    So I would have to encourage everyone to set up your own local power source just in case.

    It reduces your dependence and provides you with options should anything happen to your local power network.

     

    DAB

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  • My local power net has been so unreliable that I installed a whole house generator about 5 years ago.

    Now while my neighbors are in the dark, I have full power.

     

    So I would have to encourage everyone to set up your own local power source just in case.

    It reduces your dependence and provides you with options should anything happen to your local power network.

     

    DAB

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  • in reply to DAB

    Hi , nice to have that assurance, especially during winter months. Do you use a diesel generator?

  • in reply to 14rhb

    I use a natural gas generator.

    I tied into my furnace gas feed, so as long as the gas flows I have a generator available.

     

    Last year we had several ice storms in the area, which took down the net during some cold spells.

    We were nice and warm as the furnace still worked, we had running water from the well, and all of our electronics worked so I could do work on my books.

     

    Life is easier when you do not have to worry about losing power.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    Sounds like an ideal setup. I always thought such generators also needed electrical power to operate - I know my household gas water boiler does. However it also has its own electrical breaker so I could in theory have a low current backup source (eg solar - batteries - inverter) to get it working. Such a scheme would also be useful to feed into the low power lighting circuits, especially with the advent of high efficiency LED lights.

    [For anyone wanting to do such an approach...check your countries electrical regulations and get a qualified person to modify/inspect/certify if necessary ! ]

  • in reply to 14rhb

    The generator came with an automated panel, which switched from the outside grid to the generator after the generator came up to speed and the power stabilized.

    It then throws a big relay that switches most of the house circuits over to the generator.

     

    Once the main power is restored, the relay switches back and the generator shuts off.

     

    Really cool to see. When the lights go out I only have to wait about 30 seconds and the power is back on.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    Sounds awesome. If I had that setup I'd actually look forward to a power cut just to try it out !