Re:What went wrong with the Texas power grid?
by conk on Tuesday February 16, 2021 @10:50PM
(#26162428)
You would need the generator to provide about 100 watts to run the electronics and blower. Something passive like a thermoelectric generator would require a large amount of surface area to get this much power. Something more active like a traditional generator would require significant maintenance. If you’re really concerned your best bet is to get a couple Powerwalls and limit what you run off them. You could go a week running just the furnace and charging cellphones.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:What went wrong with the Texas power grid?
by ineedasername on Wednesday February 17, 2021 @09:33AM
(#26166655)
Power walls are pretty expensive. Much cheaper-- if you're primary concern is keep heat going and maybe a few other basics-- would be a low-maintenance dual fuel generator. Unlike the powerwall it's run-time isn't limited. Prolonged blackouts will run the powerwall dry, but with a dual fuel generator as long as you can get gasoline or propane you're good to go.
I suppose if you can afford it, go for both and have multiple reduncancy.