Grid Down!

Let me make a quick list.

1. An aging power grid infrastructure
2. A commitment to reduce fossil fuel power plants
3. An ever growing population connected to the aging power grid infrastructure
4. Increasing demand for the power grid from both the growing population and our technology centered lifestyles and workplaces
5. Increasing risks to the power grid from cyber attacks, severe weather, mechanical failures, etc.

Is my tinfoil hat on a little too tight, or is it a logical theory that the days of us typical Americans always have the lights come on at a flick of a switch could be ending soon? I'm not saying that we're going back to the days of before electraction. However I am saying that scheduled rolling blackouts in urban areas or unexpected power outages may become more of the norm.

This is what of the things that concerns me as we head into the new year.  In a recent post I mentioned I am making a focused effort to get my house in order. Both figuratively and literally. 

One of the literal things I'm doing is assessing my addiction to electricity. If I have to go without grid power for days or even weeks, what is going to happen?

Over a decade ago, we had a windstorm that tore up my local area. I didn't have power for 3 days. Fortunately, I had several things in my favor. I live a fairly simple lifestyle and enjoy camping. So not having lights for a few days was no big deal. Plus I had the camping gear, light lanterns and headlamps to take the edge off.

My biggest concern was my fridge and freezer. Fortunately, I had friends nearby that weren’t impacted my the power outage that had a almost empty "garage fridge" that I was able to use.

While I made it through that 3 day blackout pretty much unphased, it did make me think about what if power was lost for a longer time or larger area. That got me into canning. So now if push comes to shove, I could can some of the meat I have in my freezer using a propane stove and pressure cooker. 

If blackouts become more frequent. I may need to rethink my electrical usage, habits and sources. With my camping and portable radio hobbies, I do have a small collection of batteries and some solar. Currently I'm saving for a larger solar generator for use at the house to augment my grid power. 

Recently I purchased a small dual fuel generator. Not big enough to run my house like nothing is wrong, but it will run my fridge, freezer and top off batteries.

I am also assessing my habits and seeing what I can reduce, eliminate or do more efficiently.

In all reality, we should take a closer look at our electrical / electronic addictions and see how we can do better. Besides being better prepared for rough times, it's just better for our environment and our checkbooks. Two worthy reasons on their own.

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As always, thank you for your time reading this. All comments are welcome. Even if you want to let me know how wrong I am. If you think others would get some sort of value, please share this on your socials.

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