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- Power Outage in the US, what You Need to Know.
Power outages are on the rise in the US, especially due to weather-related events that worsen due to the climate crisis. Weather-related outages are responsible for $75 billion per year in losses for businesses. Other factors, such as animal-related outages, also contribute to the costs and frequency of power outages. The country’s energy infrastructure is older, more vulnerable, and unprepared for current and future weather and climate.
In this article, we will take some of the causes and effects of power outages in the US, as well as some tips on how to prepare for them and cope with them.
Causes of a Power Outage in the US.
According to a report by Climate Central, a nonprofit research group, 83% of all reported power outages in the US from 2000 to 2021 were caused by a weather-related event, such as:
- High wind
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms
- Winter weather, including snow, ice, and freezing rain
- Hurricanes
- Extreme heat and wildfires
As global temperatures rise due to the climate crisis, these occurrences are becoming more intense and more frequent. For example, the winter storm and cold snap of February 2021 was the costliest winter weather event since they started keeping records, resulting in multiple days with below-freezing temperatures that led to many days of power outages for millions of customers in Texas.
The report also found that Texas reported the most weather-related outages since 2000, followed by Michigan, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Another cause of power outages in the US is animal interference. According to a study by Eaton Corporation, a power management company, animals caused 11% of all power outages in 2019. The most common culprits were squirrels, birds, raccoons, snakes, and rats.
The US energy infrastructure is also aging and vulnerable to failures and disruptions. Parts of the US power grid dates back to the earliest days of electricity. The grid is also highly interconnected and interdependent, which means that a problem in one area can also affect other areas.
Effects of Power Outages in the US.
Power outages can have severe consequences for people’s lives, health, safety, and the economy. Some of the effects of power outages include:
- Loss of communication: Power outages can disrupt phone lines, internet access, radio and television broadcasts, and other forms of communication that rely on electricity.
- Loss of essential services: Power outages can affect hospitals, emergency services, water treatment plants, sewage systems, traffic lights, public transportation, and other vital services that depend on electricity.
- Loss of food and water: Power outages can spoil food in refrigerators and freezers and affect water pumps and wells that provide drinking water.
- Loss of comfort and security: Power outages can make homes uncomfortable or unsafe due to a lack of heating or cooling, lighting, or alarm systems.
- Loss of productivity and income: Power outages can disrupt businesses, schools, factories, offices, farms, and other workplaces that rely on electricity for their operations.
A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), power outages cost an average of about $18 to $33 billion every year in the United States.
Ways to Prepare for Power Outages in the US.
Power outages can happen anytime and anywhere. Therefore, it is important to be prepared for them and have a plan in case they occur. Some things you can do to prepare for power outages include:
- Stock up on non-perishable food and water. You should have at least a 72 hour supply of food and water for each person in your household. Choose foods that do not require refrigeration, cooking or heating, such as canned goods, dried fruits, nuts, crackers and granola bars. You should also have a manual can opener and utensils. Store water in clean containers and avoid using tap water during a power outage, as it may be contaminated.
- Have a backup plan for medical devices and medications. If you rely on medical devices that need electricity, such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators or dialysis machines, you should have a backup power source or an alternative location where you can use them. You should also have a list of your medications and dosages, and keep them in a cool and dry place. If you need to refrigerate your medications, you should have a cooler with ice packs ready.
- Keep flashlights, batteries and candles handy. You should avoid using candles during a power outage, as they can cause fires. However, if you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and away from flammable materials. You should also have flashlights with extra batteries for each room in your house. Do not use matches or lighters while checking gas appliances or pilot lights, as they can cause explosions.
- Stay informed and connected. You should have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to listen to local news and updates on the power outage. You should also have a fully charged cell phone and a portable charger or car charger. Use your phone to call 911 in case of an emergency, or to contact your family and friends. You should also check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled, and offer them assistance if needed.
- Turn off and unplug appliances and electronics. Turn off and unplug all unessential appliances and electronics to prevent damage from power surges when electricity is restored. You should also leave one light switch on so you can tell when the power is back on. You can keep your refrigerator and freezer doors shut so the temperature remains cool inside. A cold refrigerator will keep food cool for four to four & a half hours. A freezer can keep food frozen for about 48 hours if they are full.
Click here to check out what this Crazy 45 Year-Old Geography Teacher in Memphis, Tennessee, has if the grid goes down.
- Cool DIY Solar Lantern….
- Pros and Cons of Solar Panel
Using the natural energy from the Sun is one of the most efficient & affordable ways of generating energy. Over the past several years have created jobs, and opportunities. Solar Power has seen massive growth so that must mean that regarding pros and cons of solar panel, one would say that the benefits outweigh the negatives. But, let’s take a look.
Does Solar Make Sense Where You’re At?
If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, where you have clouds 200+ days a year, or at least the majority of the time, then you’re probably not going to be making a lot of electricity. So, you’re not going to see a lot of benefits.
However, if you live in Southern California or Arizona, solar is going to make more sense to you. So where you live is something you must consider.
With so many New Panels, the Need to Recycle is Evident.
With record numbers of panels popping up on rooftops and open areas, what do you do when it comes time to replace them? And regarding the manufacturing of a solar panel, do the benefits outweigh the impact environmentally?
Are we assuming that renewable technologies like solar power is cleaner and better than the alternative of burning fossil fuels? We don’t often look at what kind of impact and cost it takes to manufacture solar panels. Or when they are used up, do they become a burden?
Until recently the number of panels in operation globally was relatively low that they could be mixed in with the rest of our garbage without anyone really noticing. But now the number of panels continues to grow exponentially, and those in the solar PV industry are realizing that the lack of effective recycling is not good.
Some of the more entrepreneurial types are wondering whether there is money to be made from the millions of panels that need to be scrapped in the coming decades. If they could just find a way to transport and process them all in a cost-effective way. So are they right? Can it be done at scale, and can profits really be made along the way?
We Need The Entrepreneurial Minded
We need to attract interest by entrepreneurial types because solar panels contain all sorts of components, some very valuable like silver and others like polysilicon, but all of which could potentially be harvested from old panels and reused in new ones.
The problem is landfills are cheap. While it is not yet cost-effective to separate the materials, sort, transport and everything else required to complete the process. But the demand for recycled solar panel components is going to skyrocket as the number of installations continues to grow.
Solar homes rely less on the nation’s aging power grid. Things like geography and how your house rooftop is positioned. Are you in the right direction to get maximum efficiency?
If solar makes sense for you, and it very well might. I think most would agree that when it comes to the pros and cons of solar panel, solar energy is positive for the environment and lowers your energy costs.
Build Your Own Power Plant in 3 Steps
Learn how you can create a DIY power plan that will save you money and help the environment. This guide will show you how to make a simple and effective power plant in just 3 steps. Click Here!Click here if you want to learn more about how to do solar by yourself.
- How Long Does Solar panel Last?
How long does solar panel last? I have asked the question, and I have been asked that question. What is the lifespan of a home solar panel power system? What’s the best answer for someone who’s looking at solar?
The average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 50 years…
Most of the solar panels made today come with either a 25 or a 30 year warranty. Your system will last 25 to 35 years and up to 40 years, and we’ve seen them go even longer. – Solar panels slowly degrade over time. They will slowly lose their efficiency over time.
How does the degradation of my solar panels impact my ROI?
Let’s look at the impact of our return on investment in regard to the degradation. Most solar panel manufacturers have it on the product spec sheet that their panels will degrade about a half a percent a year. A solar panel is not going to produce the same amount of energy in year 20 as it did in year one. A solar panel will still produce about 90% or more of the power in year 20 than in year one. However, it does impact the ROI slightly. So, with that said, when showing you the financial projections of their solar panel system, reputable solar companies will figure in the degradation of the panels.
Expect that in 50 years, your system’s gonna be producing 75% of what it did in year one. If you’re fortunate to be around in a hundred years, your panels will be producing 50% of what they did in year one.
Personally, in regard to the question, how long does solar panel last? I think that 25 to 50 years is a long lifespan and is acceptable. At some point, you’re going to have to ask, is the system still producing enough power for me? Your need for power will change and it is safe to say that 30 to 50 years down the road we will have more advanced, even longer-lasting panels. Perhaps or other technology and options available. At some point, your solar panel has more than paid for itself and continues producing. Keep in mind that electric rates have continued to rise over this long lifespan. All in all, solar panels are a good investment.
To have a solar panel 50 years later while the electric rates have risen faster than the degradation has decreased. – If you look at it from the return on investment. The value of your panels is arguably greater in year 25 than it was in year one.
One of the greatest things that we have found for the Do It Yourself Power is right here. Click Here to and watch this short video.
- Solar Power Vs. Wind Power
Solar power vs. windmill energy. Which one generates more energy? Which is better for the environment? They are both renewable, meaning, they can be used over and over again with little effect on the environment. But they’re different in many ways, let’s see how they compare.
Wind and solar combined provided 67% of America’s energy in the first half of 2022. Pros and cons for wind power include the power of the wind, its consistency, and other weather activity in the area. How does windmill work? As the wind strengthens power is generated, the more wind, the more power. This is why you find wind turbine farms placed in areas with consistently higher wind activity, which equals more windmill energy. At least two or more turbines must be present in one area to be considered a wind turbine farm. As powerful winds move the turbines, the turbines then convert the kinetic energy of the movement into mechanical power which is used for many things. This power can be sent to generators which convert the mechanical power into electricity, to get the electricity from generators to your home the electricity passes through transformers which are then carried over traditional power lines. These power lines feed electricity into your home.
Wind power advantages? The energy is very environmentally friendly. It doesn’t produce any toxic emissions and doesn’t contribute to global warming. According to energy.gov, it’s plentiful, cost-effective, and as popular as an electricity alternative, it even creates jobs.
Solar energy is also a great remote utility, but what are the pros and cons of solar panel? For instance, how long do solar panels last? The industry average is 25 to 30 years, so that’s not a huge factor. The initial cost, dependency on sunlight, and the high cost of energy storage are the main disadvantages of Solar. A do-it-yourself, off grid solar kit is the best solution to the initial high cost of installing solar panels.
Solar is very similar to wind energy. It’s clean, renewable, doesn’t produce any toxic emissions, and doesn’t contribute to global warming. Modern-day solar power systems use photovoltaic or PV panels. PV panels offer a whole new way to power homes and businesses all year round, but exactly how do they work? As their name implies photo means light and voltaic, which means electricity, photovoltaics, convert sunlight directly into electricity made most common of silicon. Individual cells are connected electrically and packaged into frames called solar panels that are placed on your roof or in your yard, to capture the sun’s energy. When the Sun shines, the electricity travels from the panels through the wires into a piece of equipment called an inverter. An inverter converts, the type of electricity produced by the panels called direct current or DC into the type of power that your home uses called alternating current or AC. Once the electricity goes through, the inverter, it travels through a wire into your home’s electrical panel to fill your electricity needs.
Solar power is more likely to be used on a smaller scale, for example on your very own rooftop for your use. Solar panels also have no moving parts, are quiet, and have fewer restrictions on where they’re placed over wind turbines. Solar panels are great for rural or urban areas. Over the past several years, the price of solar panels has continued to decrease. While the popularity of use as a renewable energy resource continues to rise, both wind and solar power are good choices, they’re great for the environment and a helpful solution to healthier ways of powering our homes. The one you choose will depend on your budget, what part of the country you live in, and your personal preference. Renewable home energy options allow you to feel good about supporting the environment
To learn more about the affordability of doing solar yourself, click here.
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