On 19/08/2018 19:53, Rod Speed wrote:


"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
news
On 19/08/18 08:54, harry wrote:
On Sunday, 19 August 2018 07:36:34 UTC+1, BroadbackÂ* wrote:
They are being advertised on TV as saving electricity. Now we all know
that adverts are all accurate and never lie. But how exactly do they
save electric? Or do they mean that customers can use the information
given to save it?

Their ultimate real purpose is energy demand management, in the new
world of renewable energy.Tariffs will be instantly adjustable
depending on electricity available.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_demand_management

Not quite. instantly adjustable up, long-delayed down. Just like power
supplies and petrol/diesel at present.

That is an interesting Wiki article, though. I thought the examples
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_demand_management#Examples)
were particularly informative, and a bit worrying: "The utility
companies in the state of Queensland, Australia have devices fitted
onto certain household appliances such as air conditioners or into
household meters to control water heater, pool pumps etc. These
devices would allow energy companies to remotely cycle the use of
these items during peak hours."

What is the point of having an air conditioner (or heater in cold
climates) if the electric company decides they will switch it off?

The point is that its better to turn those off for a short time at
the peak of demand that to turn off everything in entire suburbs
when the supply can't keep up with demand at peak times.

It would be bad enough not owning an air conditioner in a heatwave,
but actually having one and just sitting there watching it do nothing
because someone else is controlling it would be especially galling.

Not when its only off for a short time when supply can't keep up with
peak demand. Much better than no power at all.

The alternative is the power company switching on an extra generator
which will eat into their profits. That's why they want to switch off
your stuff.

--
Max Demian