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‘A game changer’: How giant batteries are making California’s power grid stronger, and reducing the risk of blackouts during heat waves (www.mercurynews.com)

submitted 2 months ago by silence7@slrpnk.net to c/energy@slrpnk.net

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[–] thenextguy@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

“Think of it like an energy bank account,”

I think people understand how batteries work.

[–] ericjmorey@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

They're like a gas tank, right?

[–] sj_zero@lotide.fbxl.net 5 points 2 months ago

I think it's like a big truck, not a series of tubes.

[–] itsgoodtobeawake@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

We need these all over the place in the U.S. - If the tech works out, problem solved, fewer chemical battery downsides. https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/02/06/this-disused-mine-in-finland-is-being-turned-into-a-gravity-battery-to-store-renewable-ene

[–] aaaaace@lemmy.blahaj.zone -2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

I'm sure the same outlet has done articles about when they catch fire and roads get closed. Hmmm

Here's an example not paid for by Tesla... https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/recent-california-energy-storage-battery-fire-draws-renewed-attention-storage-safety-issues

[–] thenextguy@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

From the linked article...

"But the technology is not without controversy.

Fires broke out at the Vistra plant on Sept. 4, 2021, and Feb 14, 2022. Investigations showed that they were caused by a malfunction in a fire sprinkler system, which released water and caused several of the units to overheat.

Then in September 2022, a fire broke out at the PG&E Elkhorn battery plant. Police closed Highway 1 for 12 hours. An investigation found it was caused by an improperly installed vent shield on one of the 256 units, which allowed rainwater to get in and short out the batteries. There were no injuries to firefighters, PG&E employees or the public.

..."