Will the Chinese Sink the Grid?
Chinese longer duration batteries undercut the rationale for our present electricity grid. At the same time, foreign hackers and domestic-but-berserk AI programs could also accelerate the grid’s demise. Sounds extreme? Well, here’s the story. The long-distance, high-voltage transmission network developed: To bring low-cost power from distant resources (such as Niagara Falls or mine-mouth…
The article explores the potential collapse of the current electricity grid and the role of Chinese longer duration batteries in this scenario. Traditionally, the grid was designed to bring low-cost power from distant resources to consumers, promote load diversity, and create competitive markets for power. This led to the construction of large, central power generating stations to meet peak needs and produce cheap power. However, the analysis now suggests that this approach may no longer be valid.
With the decline in renewable energy costs and the availability of Chinese manufacturers leading the way in affordable, long-duration battery storage, the need for the legacy integrated power grid is called into question. The article points out that renewable energy producers need big storage batteries to utilize energy when it's needed, filling in gaps when renewables are not operating.
This could lead to the emergence of micro-grids, local networks, or big industrial customers taking power from these renewable/storage packages.
The decentralization of the electricity system, driven by cheaper Chinese batteries, could potentially limit the scope and effectiveness of any future hack attacks on the grid. This is particularly concerning given concerns about Chinese manufacturers controlling the worldwide renewable and battery storage trade, possibly hindering U.S. access to spare parts and embedding devices in their equipment for potential cyber attacks.
Written by urgent.news from OilPrice's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
