Rob Day writing for Forbes Magazine is a committed battery enthusiast. Yet he is beginning to think that batteries may not be the entire solution to carbon-dioxide stacking in the atmosphere. While battery storage is attracting huge investments, Rob would like us to pay more attention to load shifting. In other words, we must also address the source of the problem which in our case is electricity demand.
Batteries May Not Be the Source of Infinitely Elastic Supply
We have grown used to electricity being always available. As if it were our human right to have as much of everything we want. That is, however, not the case everywhere on our planet. Rob Day is saying the least we can do is socially ‘right time’ our consumption.
He thinks batteries may not be the answer for which we hoped, if we assume they are in infinitely elastic supply too. After all, batteries also have carbon footprints and contain non-renewable materials. Our grid systems must be able to accommodate peak demand or else they could trip. Rob believes part of the answer must be flattening the peaks with ‘load shifting’.
But I Thought Industry Was Already Load Shifting?
If we point a finger at somebody else, then the other four point back to us. If we are still boiling full kettles of water during breakfast peak, perhaps we should ask ourselves why. The longest journey starts with the first step. Perhaps it is time we took it.
Rob Day believes industry should question how effectively it is ‘load shifting’ high-wattage demand to low demand periods. Since grid utilities offer generous incentives to large customers who do so. This does not affect overall productivity if we go about it wisely.
Rob is worried this part of the solution is sadly neglected. “Few utilities and regulators have gotten their act together to roll such programs out at sufficient scale and with sufficient coordination,” he says. “Nevertheless, it’s an underutilized resource that could go a long way even without needing any big technological breakthrough.”
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