this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2023
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The world’s power grids, 50 million miles’ worth, need a major overhaul (www.theverge.com)
submitted 2 years ago by boem@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] zoe 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

what does a transfer switch do ?

[–] Nighed@sffa.community 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don't think that is its official name - but currently, if you have solar panels on your roof and there is a power cut, you still lose power. this is done so you are not electrifying the disconnected grid, risking the safety of those trying to fix it.

However, you can get some equipment that separates you from the grid in a power cut, so your house can continue under its own power

[–] zoe 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

this is done so you are not electrifying the disconnected grid, risking the safety of those trying to fix it.

totally understandable. doesn't the two-way meter achieve this? ( the one used in a grid-tie system)

you can get some equipment that separates you from the grid in a power cut, so your house can continue under its own power

thats basically batteries.

well to avoid a global outage, each community or a state should have Gwh scale of battery storage already charged, that way only the affected area is offline and the rest stay somewhat energized

[–] Nighed@sffa.community 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

totally understandable. doesn’t the two-way meter achieve this? ( the one used in a grid-tie system)

Not by default - only expensive ones.

thats basically batteries.

even if you have home sized batteries (Tesla PowerWall etc), they will not be allowed to discharge to run your house unless you have that fancy switch to disconnect you from the grid

well to avoid a global outage, each community or a state should have Gwh scale of battery storage already charged, that way only the affected area is offline and the rest stay somewhat energized

if there is grid damage, its going to have to be turned off to repair it anyway. The batteries would be great for allowing the green transition though.

[–] zoe 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

even if you have home sized batteries (Tesla PowerWall etc), they will not be allowed to discharge to run your house unless you have that fancy switch to disconnect you from the grid

well, fancy switch and batteries it is then

if there is grid damage, its going to have to be turned off to repair it anyway. The batteries would be great for allowing the green transition though.

well i was meaning megapacks powering separate suburbs until the problem is sorted in the neighbourhood in question for exemple, or at the substation. such megapacks could be funded by city councel or something. no need for every house to have their own powerwall. and yea, batteries are cool.