Climate change is a purveyor of extreme temperature change and it’s taking a toll on the electric grid. Climate Central, a non-profit science organization, has analyzed the relevant data and found that the number of power outages related to weather in the 11 years prior to 2021 numbered 986, almost double that of the previous 11 years. While cold weather gives you the option of bundling up, very hot weather is potentially more deadly because the body may not be able to cool itself, especially if high temperatures persist after dark. Record temperatures in April for Spain and Vietnam hint at a hot summer to come.
One solution to a failing electric grid is a backup generator but data suggests that less than six percent of American homes have one. People who have opted for a solar panel or geothermal power supply are obviously at an advantage in a power emergency. Others will be looking at gas-powered generators and prices vary widely depending on the machine’s capabilities. While some smaller models are geared toward RV use, a typical 9000-watt Predator model capable of keeping the AC and other key appliances running is available, for example, at harborfreight.com for $880. Backup generators with more capabilities can stretch into the thousands of dollars.
Traditional gas generators have a couple of drawbacks in that they tend to be noisy and emit pollution (never use one indoors!) A clean energy alternative come courtesy of Zendure (zendure.com) which hauled in an Innovation Award at the CES electronics show in January. Zendure uses solar energy to collect energy and stores it in semi-solid state batteries. The company says it batteries have a higher density and are safer than lithium ion ones. Zendure’s SuperBase V is capable of providing electricity to an entire home in an emergency and its versatile enough to charge two electric vehicles at the same time. The SuperBase V also allows for the use of additional satellite batteries—the maximum setup could power a typical home for a week for a real off-the-grid lifestyle. Recharge time is about one hour. Zendure has a range of clean generators at different price points with different output specs: $399 for a $1000-watt model, and $999 for a 2000-watt model. But the SuperBase V at $499 has the most energy muscle at 7600 watts for $4499. Power management is done via an app.
At this point, a clean energy generator is a more expensive alternative to a gas-powered model but perhaps less so when you factor in the cost of fuel which may be in short supply in a real crisis. A backup generator is one of those funny products that you hope you’ll never need but will be happy to have when you do need it. The question is how reliable is the electrical grid where you live? With the wild temperature extremes brought on by climate change that can strain electric grids, that’s a question now worth asking.
Lastly, please note that my new book, Made In New York, is available for ordering. It’s an entertaining read, if I say so myself. Made in New York is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target or directly from the publisher, the State University of New York. suny.edu/Books/M/Made-In-New-York