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Backup Power

All articles tagged with #backup power

energy6 days ago•8 min saved

Gary's Blackout Sparks Debate Over Who Powers the Grid

A derecho knocked out power to Gary, Indiana, with about 370,000 initially affected and over 63,000 still without power by Aug. 20, though power was later restored to nearly all residents. Meanwhile, data centers reportedly remained online, prompting questions about grid resilience and why large energy users may outpace residents during outages. The piece ties the local outage to broader trends of rising electricity costs and the growing role of data-center energy use, advocating for practical resilience through home battery backups and vigilance against policies that subsidize big energy users at the expense of consumers.

via Electrek|

#backup-power #blackout #data-centers

technology4 months ago•81 min saved

Tested: portable solar generator powers my garage when home solar can't reach

A Tom's Guide hands-on review finds the Anker Solix C300, a 288Wh portable power station, can run basic lights and gym gear in a garage far from the mains when recharged by solar. It delivers up to 300W continuous (600W surge) and accepts up to 100W solar input, with the PS100 panel recharging the unit in about four hours in sunny conditions. It won’t run high‑draw appliances like a dryer or heavy power tools, but it’s a cost-effective backup for spaces disconnected from the grid, especially when portability and modular solar charging are valued.

via Tom's Guide|

#anker #backup-power #hands-on-review

energy3 years ago•6 min saved

Electric Vehicles: The Solution to Blackout Power Outages

As electric grids face increasing strain from extreme weather events, some homeowners are turning to their electric vehicles (EVs) as a source of backup power. The batteries in EVs, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and the upcoming electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup, can store more energy than home batteries, making them a viable option for keeping the lights on during power outages. Utilities are also exploring the possibility of using EVs to support the grid by absorbing excess power and releasing it when needed. While the technology is still being refined, the use of EVs for backup power could help reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

via The New York Times|

#backup-power #electric-vehicles #energy

climate-change3 years ago•8 min saved

The Increasing Demand for Reliable Power Solutions in the US.

As climate change increases the severity of extreme weather, blackouts are becoming more common, leaving millions of people dangerously exposed to the heat and cold. Power outages make heat, already a major cause of avoidable deaths, even more of a threat. Energy experts warn that power outages will become more common, and those blackouts will hurt more people as Americans buy electric heat pumps and battery-powered cars to replace furnaces and vehicles that burn fossil fuels. Backup power systems can be as small as portable gasoline generators that can cost $500 or less, but many people cannot afford generators or the fuel on which they run.

via The New York Times|

#backup-power #climate-change #climate-resilience