General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAs Earth warms, air conditioning use could exceed power supply in next decade
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-02-04/as-earth-warms-air-conditioning-could-exceed-power-supplyAbsent any improvement to the power infrastructure or the efficiency of air conditioners, researchers say the state could hit this sweltering mark by the early 2030s, when global average temperature is predicted to rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
If that happens, residents can expect more rolling blackouts like those seen during the punishing heatwave of August 2020, or even prolonged outages like the ones that followed severe winter storms that hit Texas in February 2021, according to the authors of the study, which appeared in Earths Future, a publication of the American Geophysical Union.
The researchers projected an even bigger increase in air conditioner-less days in some Southern and Midwestern states. Researchers predicted an average of 13.9 days for Missouri and 13.5 days for Illinois.
Only 10 years from now. Imagine regular heat domes like the Pacific Northwest saw last year, but with blackouts in major cities. The death toll will be in horrific.
BigmanPigman
(51,430 posts)It is also too expensive to turn on the heat too. I am wearing long johns, flannel pjs, gloves and two pairs of socks right now due to outrageous SDG&E rates. The heat is in the ceiling and by the time I start to feel it my upstairs neighbor has already been benefitting from my heat and $$$. Who puts heat in a ceiling?!?!?!
Bayard
(21,802 posts)Reverse the blades so its actually pulling the air down and circulating it, instead of summer mode.
BigmanPigman
(51,430 posts)about a month ago that it is on its last legs. The directional button no longer works and it only has 2 speeds now. For it to start you have to give the blades a push by hand. I am saving my money to hire an electrician and probably install a new one when I can afford it. I am on a tight budget.
Demsrule86
(68,347 posts)DanieRains
(4,619 posts)In California they may work.
NickB79
(19,110 posts)It would penalize people who want to install rooftop solar, and drastically cut demand for new installation. Kind of nuts, given reports like this.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/californias-proposed-nem-tariffs-could-halve-residential-solar-market-by-2/617836/
DanieRains
(4,619 posts)So I won't...
cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)Elections matter. ... (do I need the sarcasm tag?)
RandiFan1290
(6,206 posts)or 'centrist' like this?
make up your minds
hunter
(38,264 posts)On hot days here in California we're being asked to curtail our electric use from 4-9 PM, when the air conditioning is still on and people are coming home from work and turning lights and appliances on.
https://energyupgradeca.org/time-of-use/
https://www.flexalert.org/
Hydroelectric power here is already optimized, and becomes especially problematic in times of drought.
unblock
(51,974 posts)I wonder if this might signal that trend, around 70 years old already, might only have another decade or two.
Irish_Dem
(45,619 posts)Klaralven
(7,510 posts)California doesn't generate enough electricity to power itself. It imports a lot via a few transmission lines from the Pacific Northwest, Nevada, Arizona. If something were to happen to them, it would go dark.
cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)There is no reason for CA to be in this situation.
Sympthsical
(8,932 posts)See how it goes.
That is why California is in the situation it's in.
cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)Particularly in criticism of Germany and the Greens.
I know what you mean.
DanieRains
(4,619 posts)Nationwide.
hunter
(38,264 posts)... and other lands that have already been trashed by humans.
Trashing previously undeveloped lands is criminal and smacks of "We had to destroy nature in order to save it."
Large scale desert solar plants are obscene.
live love laugh
(12,999 posts)Sympthsical
(8,932 posts)Been getting estimates and quotes and things the past few weeks. It's a whole thing. It's probably going to end up running $20k total, Maybe a little more when all is said and done.
Relying on PG&E in California seems increasingly like a fool's errand. Energy prices are increasing, the lines go down if you breathe on them wrong, and rolling anything isn't something I'm keen to participate in.
We're frugal types, so we keep our utility bill low. Plus high ceilings with tons of south-facing windows makes running AC in the summer a very expensive proposition. At least this way we can stop worrying about that sort of thing. And it eventually pays for itself and adds value to the home.
DFW
(54,050 posts)Oh, well.
BSdetect
(8,989 posts)Recyclable materials and processes increasing.
And much the same for solar panels.
Then we have insulation materials
I'd say that report has some deficiencies.
Just saw this rather important news.
https://scitechdaily.com/mit-engineers-create-the-impossible-new-material-that-is-stronger-than-steel-and-as-light-as-plastic/
Cheap and plentiful material - think lighter cars / flying vehicles etc
NickB79
(19,110 posts)The cheaper and more efficient something becomes, the more we use it, offsetting the gains made.
As an example, the gains made in installed solar and wind have largely been eaten up by increased demand for electricity. This will increase as we electrify our automobile sector. We've replaced coal with natural gas, only to realize fugitive methane from fracking is just as bad as coal for the climate.
MichMan
(11,781 posts)Removing heat from indoor areas and spewing it outdoors.