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JustWhatAmI t1_itsip7u wrote

Not this year, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/07/california-avoids-widespread-rolling-blackouts-as-heat-strains-grid.html

By using a distributed network of batteries, and asking customers to reduce demand (like charging EVs off peak) they kept the lights on

There's another potential issue coming up this week, high winds may knock down power lines, so the power companies shut off power to prevent forest fires. But that's not so much a supply/demand issue, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-21/california-faces-weekend-blackouts-as-utilities-brace-for-gusts-and-fire-danger

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MrSirrr_ t1_itsivm2 wrote

Lol....so asking people to not use electricity, maybe they will keep the power on? And then they mandate by a certain year to stop production of gasoline vehicles ..reeeeeal smart

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JustWhatAmI t1_itsjf25 wrote

That's right. A smart grid. We used to only have control of the supply side of the grid. We're beginning to have control of the demand side

A responsive grid is less expensive (peaker plants are the most expensive power source) and cleaner (peaker plants are some of the dirtiest sources of energy)

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Redditwhydouexists t1_itworqw wrote

I think some rolling blackouts while production increases is ok in the short term when the alternative is doing absolutely nothing to stop the end of the world

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