How to prepare for brutal summer blackouts - and figure out your power needs now

"While it's true that winter power outages are more disruptive because it's colder, wetter, and darker, and inclement weather can delay repairs, blackouts are more common in summer. Those issues are due to a combination of higher power demand from heavy air-conditioner use, high temperatures that cause transformers to overheat and power lines to sag, and an aging power grid built in an era when demand was lower and extreme weather events were far more infrequent."

"Also: I used a single power station to keep my off-grid cabin running - how it all worked out And even if the grid doesn't go down with a fault, utility companies can carry out Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during extreme weather conditions as a preemptive measure to prevent power equipment from starting wildfires."

"So, what can you do? For me, portable power stations and solar panels have become a must. Sure, you could use gas generators, and while they do provide high output at a relatively low cost, I'm no longer a fan of these devices. Gas generators are smelly, emit noxious fumes, require regular maintenance, and can burst into flames if not treated correctly."

"Having backup power to run critical loads is essential. What are cri A box that I can connect to the grid or solar panels makes much more sense."

Summer blackouts are more common because higher air-conditioner demand increases load, extreme heat overheats transformers and causes power lines to sag, and an aging grid was built for lower demand and fewer extreme events. Utilities may also shut off power preemptively through Public Safety Power Shutoffs during dangerous weather to reduce wildfire risk. Hot conditions across parts of the U.S. create a “perfect storm” that worsens grid reliability. Backup planning should focus on powering critical loads by calculating power storage requirements. Portable power stations paired with solar panels provide grid or solar charging and can reduce dependence on the grid. Gas generators can deliver high output but involve fumes, maintenance, and fire risk.

Read at ZDNET