CIRCLE WITH A DOT

@susankayequinn this was a small gas generator or a small battery rebate through the power company. I haven’t looked at the battery rebates recently. I’d like the tech to improve a bit more before I take the leap. We are grandfathered on NEM1 so we get essentially an even trade on what we send to the grid. That’s good for another 8 years or so. In my immediate area we’ve had limited outages so for now the grid is my battery. So far not getting the battery has worked out for us, but it could change. There was some legislation proposed to remove our NEM1 status ahead of the 20yr lifespan from time of install back in 2014. Hope that doesn’t go anywhere, but if it does, I would be looking more closely at battery tech.

@susankayequinn as long as the utilities are for profit entities, I can’t see battery mandates working. As public owned services though, I could see it becoming a requirement. There are some subsidies available to purchase portable battery units that could allow a few things to be plugged in, or for a generator, but that’s a far cry from what we really need. Utilities, just like medical and prisons, should not have a profit motive.

@susankayequinn That is fair. I’m more interested in turning off my gas supply than I am in turning off my connection to the grid. But the grid is frustrating. I live in SoCal and we’ve had multiple wildfires that have been caused by downed power lines. Reducing the scope of the grid to something more localized would help. Newer strategies of proactive power outages have been employed to avoid fires, but without batteries, all I can get out of my solar array when that happens is a miserly 110v 20A socket in my garage. I appreciate the reasons of not wanting to electrify lines because I happen to be generating in such a situation. I would still like to use the power I’m generating within the confines of my home though.

@susankayequinn I dream of severing ties to the power company. Last year we replaced our gas stove with induction. we’ve been looking at replacing the HVAC and water heater with electric. Then we just need a few more panels and batteries.

@tante I know devs that are saying if AI makes them 10-20% more productive it is worth it. And there’s a rejection of the ethical implications of the technology. I’m thankful I’m on the tail end of my career.

@futurebird understanding what my cats are saying would not be a minor talent! I can’t how many times one of them has been hollering (middle of the night) and I’ve been answering with “what do you want?!?!?”

@hacks4pancakes This was not a twist I saw coming… the town starts getting their clothes from the same tailor as the emperor, admiring how finely they are all dressed.