The electrical grid is one of those engineering wonders that we often take for granted. Just as gasoline flows reliably and cheaply on nearly every street corner, and we can call someone halfway around the world from a pocket device, so electricity is so reliable and ubiquitous that We rarely think about it.
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Power delivery has also changed little over the past few decades. Although technology leaders place increasing demands on the grid, there is still a safe assumption that power is not a significant concern. At least, that is until there is an interruption.
The past decade or so has seen significant power outages, most recently a combination of factors causing blackouts in large swaths of Texas, several other large-scale disruptions caused by Everything from wildfires and aging infrastructure, and intermittent failures in the power grid led to power outages across much of the northeast in 2003.
Technology leaders have mitigated these issues with redundant systems in data centers and other mission-critical locations; however, as the workforce becomes more distributed, it becomes more difficult to maintain our critical systems and key employees.
Microgrids: the old is new
The idea of microgridds, small independent power generation and distribution systems, has been touted as an emerging technology. However, many companies owned their own local power generation and distribution systems in the early days of electrification.
Backup generators, home batteries, and solar panels are becoming more and more common, but these systems are generally stationary. What’s new is an emerging type of microgrid system that is portable, easy to use, and reasonably flexible, combining solar power generation, battery storage and fossil fuel-based electricity generation in the region. consumer-friendly format.
An example of this technology comes from EcoFlow and its DELTA line of electrical appliances that can be combined and combined to create a customizable microgrid. The core of the system, DELTA Pro, combines battery storage, AC and DC power distribution, a solar charge controller, and a Wi-Fi access radio to manage and communicate between devices.
The DELTA Pro can be plugged into the company’s 400W solar panel “bag,” a 25-pound foldable package that, combined with an internal battery, can charge a laptop and provide power capacity for home office network equipment. Gasoline smart generators are also available and connect to the DELTA Pro to provide additional power when no solar power is available or the load is too high to rely on solar power alone.
While gas-powered generators are nothing new, EcoFlow devices communicate over a local Wi-Fi network. This allows the gas generator configured through the mobile app to run only when the battery reaches a certain threshold or between certain hours.
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In one test run, I set up my solar panel, DELTA Pro, and gas generator, connecting my home office desktop, monitor, and laptop. The runtime depends significantly on the connected device. In this case, my setup draws around 230W, and DELTA Pro estimates that it can power a essentially limitless setup when connected to the sun and in full sunlight, since the panel generates from 250W to 330W. With the control panel removed, the system reports power for 13 hours. The smart generator will charge the DELTA Pro from 0% about 1 to 1.5 times for a full tank of fuel, which is more than a gallon of gas, allowing me to work for about 30 hours before running out of power and without any which sunshine.
In a situation like a power outage in Texas, a remote critical worker or small office could set up EcoFlow hardware, plug the DELTA Pro into a wall outlet, or even an EV charger with a special adapter , 400W solar panel and gas generator, the latter placed outside to avoid carbon monoxide. Employees can plug critical equipment into the unit and maintain power. At the same time, the DELTA Pro recharged its internal battery via solar power, grid power if available, or using a gas generator as a last resort. Additional battery packs can be attached as needed, providing longer runtimes on cloudy days or reducing generator usage.
The hybrid plan creates an independent, locally managed grid. With the right combination of solar, gasoline and grid activation, the system can provide power as long as the components are working.
These systems are not yet portable enough to be boxed and shipped from a central location. The core components of the EcoFlow microgrid (core equipment, 400W solar system, gas generator and cables) weigh approximately 200 lbs. and will probably require a pallet for shipping. Still, they fit in the back of an average sedan or pickup. This setup can be easily distributed from the regional office in the event of an emergency or stored in the garage corner for key employees or the regional office.
Similarly, while costs are prohibitive for widespread distribution, with the aforementioned system retailing at $6,200 for key components, however, like most disaster mitigation calculations, the level That cost can be extremely small if the alternative is for a critical individual to be disconnected during a prolonged outage or forced to take a risky move to reach another location with power. That $6,200 might be a small sum compared to the lost revenue.
As our workforce becomes more distributed, disaster mitigation becomes more difficult as it is no longer limited to a few physical locations. Fortunately, emerging technologies such as mobile microgrids can help answer some of these challenges and are worthy of research and consideration by technology leaders.
