this post was submitted on 01 May 2024
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Grids need to be updated with modern hardware that allow for intelligent load distribution, as well as generally good & many connectors between locations (the infamous big power lines you see stretching through nature, often the target of various conspiracy bullshit from people living near / under them), so that you can transport excess to where there is demand. It's definitely an effort but generally worth it, because you can really expand on decentralized power generation such as private solar panels on roofs, balconies, gardens, etc. I honestly don't know why NIMBYs are so vehemently against this stuff because it would make their energy supply more independent and even lower their bills, or even give them income if they have a low power usage.
Thanks, I do get the basics. I would like to know, what technically needs to be done and what the real challenges are, to make to grid more flexible.
"Updating hardware" is not the in depth answer I was looking for ;-)
Apologies. The needs depend on the various start & end points of the grid. At home for example you would need smart meters that can read your current consumption & (and potential production) and send that data into the system. Our old electricity grids were sort of static and one way, with power plants running a constant amount of power through to our end points. See Smart Grids on Wikipedia for an entry point and you can also find various videos on that topic, one being even in the article. Basically at every point of generation, consumption & distribution you want devices like this so that we end up with an intelligent network of data points that can eventually automatically distribute power to and from where it is made & needed, especially in the context of variable power generation of renewables, but also our variable power consumption based on human & socioeconomic behavior.