Freezing to death in the dark, revisited

[CreamyLady]

I predicted the current power difficulties in California. I really did.

Actually, I predicted, to WitchsKat, the current fiscal mess that Southern California Edison is in some months ago.

I would love to say that I saw it in the cards, or my crystal ball, or even in a vision. To be honest, I saw it when I had forgotten, yet again, to write the check and they slammed off my power in less than the usual time.

I paid the bill, was reconnected, and went merrily along for one month, when they did it again. And, the following month, again.

I'll admit I'm slow on the uptake, but I finally gathered together the bills from the four corners of the house, and not only caught up, but paid in advance. I realized that their rather polite policy of waiting until there really was no option but to turn of the power, and then after a telephoned warning, was no more. They meant business. They were really serious about this shit.

Aha, I thought. Cash flow. I pondered, in a leisurely way, why this sudden, no-nonsense approach to keeping the cash flowing.

Duh. They have to PAY for something.

Then I thought further back, to the days when I worked for public finance attorneys. I began to visualize the various documents I had worked on, including subordinated debentures for the various power projects -- subordinated debentures in the "J" series, last I recall.

The holders of those bonds will be waiting for that cold day in hell before they realize a dime. I thought so at the time, too, but figured they bought them for the loss.

The PUC has given SoCal Edison and PG&E a 9% increase in rates for the next 90 days. They had asked for a 30% increase. Standard & Poor's has downgraded their securities to junk status. Both are at the brink, nay, toes over the edge of Chapter 11.

In the meantime, I have checked my supply of long-burning candles and matches and stable holders. I've pulled the ice chest and barbecue from the garage, and cleaned them out.

I have only one question. Any ideas on running a computer without electricity? I'd really, really like to know.

 

[April]

Get yourself a generator. The good people of Arkansas swear by them! And they would know.

I wonder if this crisis in the making will prompt other states to think twice about deregulation?

 

[CreamyLady]

Thanks, April. I'll look into that. Some people around here had their Christmas displays plugged into them.

As for deregulation, I hope this is a cautionary tale. Goodness knows there's plenty of blame flying about, and everyone deserves at least a teaspoon. There's even been some talk about the state taking over transmission lines and generating plants.

I'm sure cooler heads will prevail eventually, and we will all get a sharp lesson in responsible energy use, conservation, and what is and is not realistic. I'm equally sure that the two big utilities will end up in Chapter 11, which isn't the end of the world, really.

In the meantime, though, I'll be online in the evening by candlelight. Why waste electricity on a lamp?

 

[fgarvb1]

electrical conversion 120/240 vac

What do you think.?

I think we should start converting everything we can to 120/240vac now; then later on 240 volt only say in twenty years. maybe starting asap, when building houses wired only for 240 vac. this will not cut energy use in half; but i think it will help for maybe up to the next 50 years.

No i am not insane i just am not talking about a lot of other factors i did not include in the above.

......so what do you think about this ideal.?

 

[Weird Harold]

Get yourself a generator. The good people of Arkansas swear by them! And they would know.

If you plan to run your computer from a small generator, invest in a very good surge protector, and a UPS (Uninteruptable Power Supply) as well.

Small utility generators, like the 1600 watt Honda by buddy owns, aren't the most stable source of power available. The voltage varies a great deal depending on the load, and surges when the load changes. Using one to power a UPS that can absorb the fluctuations and stabilize the power to your computer will save you the cost of buying a new one to replace the puddle of melted electronics you'll have when the generator surges at the wrong time.

 

[RonG]

I'm going to Cali, gonna buy a bunch of SUV's. Yep, they will be cheap and plentiful after OPEC reduces their output.

As far as Electrical Power Loss goes, theoretically the higher the voltage, the lower the line loss (by an inverse square factor). This is why you have the high voltage power lines for transmission over longer distances. But at the house outlet level, the difference in energy line losses versus the increased risk of screwups is considered a bad tradeoff. Weird Harold can probably explain more eloquently.

Nope, if you want to really do something about energy, cut down on fossil fuel consumption. Think about that when you drive by your local high school and see 100s of cars and empty buses.

This post wasn't really necessary. I just didn't want CL's post to slide into post purgatory, otherwise known as Page 2.

 

[Weird Harold]

But at the house outlet level, the difference in energy line losses versus the increased risk of screwups is considered a bad tradeoff. Weird Harold can probably explain more eloquently.

I don't know about eloquence, but having served in several countries around the world that use 220 VAC instead of the North American standard of 115 VAC, I can't really see any difference in the amount consumed under either standard. (at least as reflected by my power bills.)

I think the US should probably go to a 220 VAC 50 Hz standard just to match up with the rest of the world. Almost everything I own is already dual voltage, because of all the traveling I did in the service. Life would have been so much simpler if the whole world used just one standard for electricity. (even simpler if those who used the same voltage used the same outlets and plugs.)

As far as safety is concerned, there is little to choose from between the two standards. 220 VAC makes a bigger spark when you short it out, but that's about it for differences in danger. Either can stop your heart before you can turn loose of a hot wire.

A truly envirionmentaly conscious individual would probably be better off converting everything they own to low voltage, and installing solar or wind generators. A very big initial investment, but the long term savings would make it worthwhile.

 

[CreamyLady]

Ah, RonG, you are a good buddy.

Seriously, Harold, I'm probably not going to invest in a generator. I have no problem typing by candlelight, or with the windows wide open, depending on the weather. That way, the computer is the only thing drawing power.

If the power is off, for whatever reason, I can actually just do something else. I don't need to be near my computer all day. Really. I can leave. Watch me.

 

[RonG]

I went and found an expert in Electrophysics and how conduction/semiconduction works. Please head
here

http://www.britneyspears.ac/lasers.htm

 

[CreamyLady]

Well, darn. Now I've got to brew another pot of tea, since i just sprayed my last cup all over the monitor.

Where do you FIND these things?!