Re:Smart thermostats inadvertently strain electric power grids
by ceejayoz on Thursday July 14, 2022 @01:27PM
(#32099011)
That's fine, really. The utility's concern is predictability and burst capacity, not raw usage, so they know when and how many https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peaking_power_plant to turn on, which may take a while.
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Re:Smart thermostats inadvertently strain electric power grids
by BeetleB on Thursday July 14, 2022 @01:54PM
(#32099346)
Not sure I follow. If they just want to know in advance, then they don't need to modify the temperature at all, correct?
Re:Smart thermostats inadvertently strain electric power grids
by ceejayoz on Thursday July 14, 2022 @02:50PM
(#32100014)
Lowering the load helps avoid needing the more expensive short term plants from coming online.
Whether you go from 76 to 78 or from 66 to 68, you’re helping avoid the burst in demand they’d get.
Re:Smart thermostats inadvertently strain electric power grids
by BeetleB on Thursday July 14, 2022 @04:30PM
(#32101061)
That's true, assuming I changed the temperature setting prior to the event, and I likely won't time it perfectly (nor would I want to).
The real thing is: These events last for hours. If what you say is true, then wouldn't altering the thermostat for a small period (e.g. 30 minutes) suffice?