Large-scale power outages used to mostly happen during winter storms. With climate change and extreme heat, they strike way more often. And so, many people invest in gasoline-diesel-propane generators to keep on lights, water, refrigerator, and heat.
- Emit significant greenhouse gas emissions and dangerous carbon monoxide exhaust.
- Are often noisy and smelly.
- Risk fire, electrocution, dangers of CO poisoning.
- Require annual maintenance and fresh fuel.
Modern batteries: the clean-energy holy grail for resilience.
- Zero emissions, noise, fumes.
- Stabilizes the grid.
- Can partner beautifully with PV.
- Reduces bills with Time-Of-Use rates.
- Some EVs can charge the home, aka bi-directional charging!
- All “tired” materials have recyclable value.
Important:
- An electrician needs to install the system.
- Electric utilities need to allow for interconnection to AND DISCONNECTION from the grid.
- Some utilities require a monthly charge for metering/monitoring.
- Solar panels aren’t required.
While not cheap, there are financial incentives:
- Federal: 30% of the cost for new/qualified batteries, no cap. 3kWh+ in size.
- State/Local/Utility: Database > Zip Code > Filter > Eligible Sector > Residential; then filter again: Technology > Energy Storage > Battery. Also, check out EnergySage.
Planetarily,
Laura & Gil
Our friends Laura & Gil Richardson are, in their own words, “imperfect” but they are much further down this Planetarian path than anyone I know. They are a treasure trove of sustainable living inspiration and we’ve asked them to share one simple swap per week that they’ve made (and the products they love) in hopes it might inspire you to make them, too.
