Energy rationing

NoobSolar

How does energy rationing work in practice? Would it be like a power cut? Wouldn't that mean domestic solar power would also go down? Would it be accomplished via smart metering? Would that mean having an old non smart meter might be an advantage?

[Deleted User]

NoobSolar said:

Would it be like a power cut? 

Yes

NoobSolar said:

 Wouldn't that mean domestic solar power would also go down? 

Yes

NoobSolar said:

Would it be accomplished via smart metering? 

No

NoobSolar said:

Would that mean having an old non smart meter might be an advantage?

No

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6384687/energy-rationing/

MWT

[Deleted User] said:

NoobSolar said:

 Wouldn't that mean domestic solar power would also go down? 

Yes

Most, yes, all, no.

70sbudgie

MWT said:

[Deleted User] said:

NoobSolar said:

 Wouldn't that mean domestic solar power would also go down? 

Yes

Most, yes, all, no.

And those that aren't shut down will only benefit the proprty where they're installed, as they will be operating in island mode.

MWT

70sbudgie said:

MWT said:

Deleted_User said:

NoobSolar said:

 Wouldn't that mean domestic solar power would also go down? 

Yes

Most, yes, all, no.

And those that aren't shut down will only benefit the proprty where they're installed, as they will be operating in island mode.

Correct, there is no possibility of local generation extending outside the 'island' where it is generated.

Reed_Richards

This is how electricity rationing worked in the 1970s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-Day_Week
 I remember having to sit through power cuts, which I think were scheduled.

daveyjp

In the 70s it was a ritual to get the candles lit a few minutes before the power was due off.

I've also been in countries where 'load shedding' was part of life as the network couldn't meet all the demand.

Power would go off for an hour every day and advance by an hour a day.  So it would be 6pm on Monday, 7pm on Tuesday etc.  

Large establishments such as hotels and shoppimg centres would fire up generators, everywhere else, including street lighting, was off.

NoobSolar

Thanks everyone. It seems a great pity that the generation of green and massively distributed electricity gets axed too as it was part of the solution!  And very few domestic installations feature islanding.

Malkytheheed

Can someone explain to me why, in a winter where the nation will be using way less energy (both gas and electric) than usual as everyone cuts back, we are facing the prospect of blackouts!?! I mean what the hell?

Also in winter we typically generate much more power from wind farms. 

[Deleted User]

If everyone cuts back, and that’s including industrial users, then it will probably be alright.  UK generation surplus is already thin because we have shut down most of our old power stations.

You can’t rely on wind, so it doesn’t count so much into the calculations.

And in the industry there have been warnings more often than just this winter.

Mstty

Malkytheheed said:

Can someone explain to me why, in a winter where the nation will be using way less energy (both gas and electric) than usual as everyone cuts back, we are facing the prospect of blackouts!?! I mean what the hell?

Also in winter we typically generate much more power from wind farms. 

I don't think anyone has confirmed this, it's just people trying to understand what would happen if it should happen.

Personally we have reduced summer energy usage by 30%. That won't be as much during the winter but we will aim for 10-20%

It appears most people here and new to the board are looking to save energy so that should translate to a decent reduction or draw from the grid