sci.energy.hydrogen

EskWIRED@ wrote:
> In strabo wrote:
>
>> The grid concept is dangerous and should be stopped before it
>> creates catastrophic problems.
>
> Using this system has both advantages and disadvantages.
>
> But "distributed generation" is becoming more and more advantageous, for
> any number of reasons, including "behind the fence" generation for certain
> users.
>
> Me, I'd love to have a nice pond on my property which would be suitable
> for a low-head micro-hydro setup.
>
> As of now, however, with its +% reliability, it is only adventurous
> or interested folks who would give up the grid completly. It works great.
>

Reliable?

Apparently you don't read the papers. Instead of localized problems,
a blown circuit or fire can take down millions of residences and
businesses for days. Given a serious cascade, an entire region may go
down and not be able to recoup.

Smaller, autonomous power generators under local management and
supervision is the best way to go. It may cost more in the short run but
it will be better.

I've got a 13KW genset hooked to natural gas which I've had to use
twice this year already. Used to be that a power outage was related to
local events. Now the power can go out due to something happening
hundreds of miles away or a computer glitch that no one can or will
identify. To make matters worse, the corporations want to be able to
"adjust" your personal usage in an attempt to "better distribute" the
power. That's a bunch of crap.

Centralization of control and micromanagement invites disaster.