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Author Topic: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?  (Read 676 times)

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Offline Elderberry

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How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« on: February 05, 2020, 10:47:04 pm »
Houston Chronicle by  L.M. Sixel Feb. 5, 2020

When state lawmakers deregulated the power business two decades ago, they divided the industry into two sectors with distinct duties: Generators could make and sell electricity and regulated utilities could transmit and distribute electricity. But the utilities, whose profits are capped by regulators, want access to a new business opportunity — battery storage.

Batteries are on the cusp of transforming the Texas power grid by making intermittent power sources such as wind and solar into a supply as dependable as natural gas. Demand for battery storage has been driven by rapidly falling prices and more efficient technology, making it easier to store power for use when wind isn’t blowing or sun isn’t shining.

Utilities want to invest in the lucrative market, saying batteries can boost grid reliability, reduce transmission line congestion and prevent construction of new transmission lines.

But power generators are fighting to keep utilities out, arguing that energy storage is considered generation under state law that makes battery investments off limits to investor-owned utilities that could profit by storing cheap power and selling it when prices rise. And state regulators are loathe to step in, rejecting a request two years ago from AEP Texas North to build two battery storage sites and punting a more-recent request by CenterPoint Energy to add battery storage capability.

More: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/How-will-batteries-plug-into-Texas-power-grid-15031826.php
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Offline darroll

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2020, 11:28:31 pm »
I use batteries in case my power goes out on my computer.
They do have 110 volt ac batteries.
They seem to last along time.
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Offline Elderberry

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2020, 11:46:52 pm »
Quote from: darroll on February 05, 2020, 11:28:31 pm
I use batteries in case my power goes out on my computer.
They do have 110 volt ac batteries.
They seem to last along time.

I don't think there are any ac batteries. You may be referring to a 110 volt ac "Inverter" powered by 6 or 12 volt dc batteries. The 3kw inverter for my network and entertainment center is powered by eight 12v dc batteries. The batteries discussed in the article are much much bigger though.
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Offline PeteS in CA

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2020, 01:17:10 am »
It may be possible to power some regular power supplies from 110-120 VDC. Current just flows through 2 of the 4 rectifiers in the full bridge rectifier. After that it's a question as to whether the standby and main inverters can run with that low an input voltage. 300 VDC would be a better DC input voltage. If the power supply has power factor correction, it must have reasonably sinusoidal AC.
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Offline Elderberry

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2020, 01:45:47 am »
Why mess with ten 12 volt batteries and risk frying your equipment by powering it with dc when one 12 volt battery and an inverter will supply you with 120 volt 60hz AC ?

When I was out of power for 2 weeks after one of our many hurricanes, whenever I powered down my generator, I'd supply the house power with an inverter. Out in the country I've powered many power tools with inverters.
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Offline darroll

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2020, 01:47:00 am »
Quote from: Elderberry on February 05, 2020, 11:46:52 pm
I don't think there are any ac batteries. You may be referring to a 110 volt ac "Inverter" powered by 6 or 12 volt dc batteries. The 3kw inverter for my network and entertainment center is powered by eight 12v dc batteries. The batteries discussed in the article are much much bigger though.
It's my APC
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Offline Elderberry

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2020, 02:02:11 am »
Quote from: darroll on February 06, 2020, 01:47:00 am
It's my APC

Atelier de Production et de Création?

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Offline Elderberry

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2020, 02:08:44 am »
Your APC is an UPS, powered by batteries. So many people and companies discard them when the batteries fail instead of just replacing the batteries. I have picked up several from school and municipal auctions and all they needed were fresh batteries.
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Offline PeteS in CA

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2020, 03:39:11 am »
An inverter is probably a preferred solution over a higher voltage DC source. Unless rated for DC input power, the input fuse may be the wrong type (= not rated for DC). And the PFC stage, common or required in desktops or servers, may not operate, causing the power supply not to operate. But the AC from the inverter needs to be fairly sinusoidal.
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If, as anti-Covid-vaxxers claim, https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2021/robert-f-kennedy-jr-said-the-covid-19-vaccine-is-the-deadliest-vaccine-ever-made-thats-not-true/ , https://gospelnewsnetwork.org/2021/11/23/covid-shots-are-the-deadliest-vaccines-in-medical-history/ , The Vaccine is deadly, where in the US have Pfizer and Moderna hidden the millions of bodies of those who died of "vaccine injury"? Is reality a Big Pharma Shill?

Millions now living should have died. Anti-Covid-Vaxxer ghouls hardest hit.

Offline thackney

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2020, 12:14:17 pm »
Quote from: Elderberry on February 06, 2020, 02:08:44 am
Your APC is an UPS, powered by batteries. So many people and companies discard them when the batteries fail instead of just replacing the batteries. I have picked up several from school and municipal auctions and all they needed were fresh batteries.

Wise practice.
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Offline darroll

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2020, 06:28:08 pm »
The 12 volt batteries cost about $35.00 for the APC
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Offline Elderberry

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Re: How will batteries plug into Texas’ power grid?
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2020, 06:54:39 pm »
I paid around $80 for the 8 batteries I needed for the 3kw UPS I got for around $40. New my unit goes for around $1,500.
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