Government power blackouts and solar PV

Chris_Type_R

gefnew said:

You could invest in a ups system to mitigate power outages, top it up with solar when you do not need it.
UPS Systems - UPS Battery Backup | Critical Power Supplies

I already have a 3 APC UPSs - but the ones I have are really geared towards surviving power dips and allowing for elegant shut downs. You have to spend a lot of money for something which is capable of running systems (and potentially lighting) for a few hours. 

Chris_Type_R

Something like the Ecoflow Portable Power Station might make sense too (with an extra battery) - but that's then £3500 for 4kWh vs £500 ish for a 3.3kW capable 'quiet' petrol generator.

ETA, the UPSs would be plugged into the generator to 'smooth' out the generated power.

ETA, we have a dual fuel wood burner and gas BBQ, so we're okay from a contingency point of view for heating and cooking. 

ccbrowning

Reed_Richards said:

Screwdriva said:

A Powerwall or capable battery system will mitigate this scenario. 

A battery on its own will do absolutely nothing to mitigate this scenario (if you want to stay on the right side of the law/regs.).  You also need a means of isolating whatever is being powered by the battery from the mains; the same would apply to a generator supplying the backup power.  

True, but there are installers who will setup a fully-isolated system which provides power during a blackout. Most seem to just have the option of a socket you can use during a blackout though.

Chris_Type_R

ccbrowning said:

Reed_Richards said:

Screwdriva said:

A Powerwall or capable battery system will mitigate this scenario. 

A battery on its own will do absolutely nothing to mitigate this scenario (if you want to stay on the right side of the law/regs.).  You also need a means of isolating whatever is being powered by the battery from the mains; the same would apply to a generator supplying the backup power.  

True, but there are installers who will setup a fully-isolated system which provides power during a blackout. Most seem to just have the option of a socket you can use during a blackout though.

Victron Multi-II GX coupled with e.g. Pylon batteries seems to be a good way to go - especially if you have a FIT array and want to add a new separate array.

This handles the automatic switching and allows you to segment the load into emergency & normal circuits.

70sbudgie

The blackouts are most like to happen during the super red period - ie 4pm - 7pm which is when peak demand occurs. 

My personal opinion is that if enough people change their habits that peak can be smoothed out. I can't help but wonder if this is what the government / media are trying to scare people into doing.

I saw this article today that suggested it may be possible to earn up to £6/kWhr for reducing demand.
https://www.gbnews.uk/news/british-families-set-to-be-paid-to-turn-off-washing-machines-at-peak-hours/355584
I'm not entirely convinced by the source!

Given that the demand dropped by 20% during the first 2020 lockdown, I can't help wonder if a potential solution is for businesses to close early. Though in winter, the risk of that is that it just shifts the peak, rather than smooths it.

70sbudgie

I would suggest that anyone who has batteries investigates their ability to force export. 😉 

DougMLancs

I’ve seen that on BBC News too. The proof will be in what they actually announce in a couple of weeks I suppose

70sbudgie

I have also seen an article that said the Octopus demand side management trial had been very successful. So I suspect that is what the article is referring to and that it will be rolled out before the winter.

I earned about 10p on the trial! I wasn't supposed to be able to take part, because I have a SEG, so I made sure I only joined in for the times when there was no chance of me generating (like at 1am)

ed110220

Doesn't this all suggest that the forecast problem is a lack of capacity, rather than a lack of gas? Ie something separate from the current energy crisis and something that should have been foreseen well before it?

If the problem was a gas shortage, power cuts wouldn't be limited to times of highest demand.

ispookie666

To comply with G98/99/100 PV will shut down during power outage (Anti-islanding protection).  You can check which manufacturers have already done testing and are compliant on Type test register