Visualize you're at home, getting ready for some events. There are some kitchen tasks and important emails to send, and the light goes out in your area. Well, this can be a rolling blackout. They occur in specific areas to prevent larger blackouts. You can't avoid these common rolling blackouts, but can be ready for one. Please keep reading to learn more about rolling blackouts and how to survive them.
What is a Rolling Blackout?
A rolling blackout, rotating outage, or load shedding is an emergency process performed by power grid operators. It is done to balance the power supply in any specific area.
Generally performed by utility companies or grid operators, this is done to stabilize the power demand. For example, there can be high power demand from specific areas. To decrease the load, a temporary rolling blackout is initiated so it neutralizes and there is no major blackout.
Sometimes, they come with a warning, but it can be unexpected at certain times.
What are the Reasons for Rolling Blackouts？
Here are some of the common reasons for rolling blackouts:
High Demand for Electricity
During very hot or cold days, the pressure on the temperature regulating device can be high, which causes overload on the grid. This load coming from specific areas can lead to rolling blackouts. It's done to stabilize and maintain the grid.
Supply Shortages
Sometimes, there can be supply shortages for many reasons, such as power plant failures, fuel shortages, extreme weather, natural disasters, etc. All these reasons can lead to short-supply shortages, which may lead to rolling blackouts.
Maintenance and Repairs
There are regular sessions of maintenance and repairs of the electrical facilities, transformers, poles, and lines. These may lead to temporarily reducing the capacity of the electrical system. To deal with this, rolling blackouts are initiated.
Policies
There can be government or internal policies to conduct short rolling blackouts occasionally. These are done to maintain the stability of the grid. These blackouts are notified beforehand so you can be prepared for them.
The Problem With Backup Generation
Some electric facilities may have more demand due to more connections than they can fulfill. Also, it may be incapable of handling too many power needs and may have less to back up to. In this case, there can be rolling blackouts. After assessing these situations, the electricity facility takes adequate steps to meet all the needs.
Rolling Blackout, Brownout, Power Outage: What's the Difference?
Rolling blackouts, brownouts, and power outages are similar in that there is disruption in the normal electricity supply. According to their nature, they have different names. To understand them better, here's everything about it:
Rolling blackout
It's a controlled and temporary power cut to stabilize the grid due to high demand. It further prevents larger blackouts. Also, they last for a couple of hours. There may be mandatory protocol reasons, too, for performing rolling blackouts.
Brownouts
It's a special voltage reduction or under-voltage condition where the voltage supplied is reduced below the normal levels. It can be due to when the electric system receives low voltage or initiates slow voltage to an area.
Generally, the brownouts are done when there is too much pressure on the grid or some problem at the grid. For example, the common hours for brownouts can be winter mornings when everyone relies on water-heating equipment, temperature-regulating devices, etc.
This may cause light dimming and slow working of appliances. Overall, the appliances may not work to their full potential. It resolves in short durations when everything is back to normal.
Power Outages
Power outages are complete loss of electricity, which can also have small or larger impacts. They can be planned for maintenance drills, which may last a few hours.
However, sometimes, they are unpredictable due to calamities, accidents, technical failures, and other reasons. The technicians try to restore the power as soon as the unplanned outage is notified. Also, the predicted restoration time depends on the severity of the situation.
Which Areas of the U.S. Are at Risk of Rolling Blackouts?
Rolling and other types of power disruption can happen anywhere due to maintenance, load on the grid, or other unforeseen circumstances. However, The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) found that many areas are at elevated risk for rolling blackouts. For example, the western United States, most of Texas, and the Carolinas face a high risk of rolling power blackouts, NERC said. The reasons can be extreme temperatures and natural calamities, too. However, all the electric facilities try to restore the power as soon as possible in case of blackouts.
How Long Do Power Outages Last?
If the power outage is caused due to a rolling blackout, it may return in one to two hours. Also, in case of a planned power outage, it will be restored in a couple of hours.
But, if the power outage is due to natural disasters, heavy rains, storms, accidents, or technical failure, it may take time. Once the outage is notified, the technicians prioritize the tasks and work accordingly.
It is best to contact electricity websites to set alerts for the latest information. However, you can bring home battery solutions to ensure you have a reliable backup source in case of any power outage.
They store power from the grid or solar solutions so that you can withstand any short or long blackouts. They are a valuable addition with an extensive range of power outputs, battery capacity, and flexible options.
10 Tips to Survive a Rolling Blackout
Here are the best tips to survive a rolling blackout:
- You can invest in home energy solutions that offer great backup. They are compatible with solar panels, grid, and hybrid systems as you like. Moreover, it's budget and environmentally friendly. For example, BLUETTI has many modern, flexible, and scalable options.
- Stay in touch with the electricity company's websites, alerts, and news.
- Always keep an emergency kit handy, having a torch, lights, batteries, etc.
- You can go for rechargeable lights, which are great for rolling blackouts.
- Keep all your rechargeable appliances powered, like battery banks, laptops, phones, etc.
- Always have a medical kit ready in case of emergencies.
- You can also bring fuel-based things like stoves, heating supplies, etc.
- If you have any problem, you can seek help from emergency services.
- Also, stay in touch with neighbors to help one another.
- You consider long-term preparedness and always stock food, water, medication, and other supplies.
BLUETTI Home Backup Power for Rolling Blackout
BLUETTI home backup power features a range of battery backup solutions that suit all needs. It is perfect for powering the whole home, outdoor events, and commercial tasks.
You can expand the energy solutions according to your unique requirements. Moreover, a bonus is its great warranties, user experience, and customer service. Some of the top picks for you are:
BLUETTI AC300 + B300 | Home Battery Backup
BLUETTI AC300+B300 Home Battery Backup is a 3,000W AC pure sine wave inverter. It can handle the initial surge of appliances up to 6,000W. Moreover, AC300 features a 3,072Wh battery capacity, which can be scaled with the help of 4 × B300 to get 12,288Wh.
Using a premium and safe LiFePO4 battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80% means durability for years. You can recharge it in seven ways(AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead-acid Battery/Dual AC/AC+Solar). Also, it has 16 output ports for direct and simultaneous charging.
BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup
BLUETTI EP800 + B500 has a great 7,600W power output, excellent for all light to heavy appliances. With additional battery packs, you can boost its energy capacity according to your need from 9900 Wh to 19800Wh. Also, It can power all 120V/240V devices.
The battery grade is top-notch as it features a LiFePO₄ battery. You can install it with a grid or solar system, which can be new or existing. It has an intelligent storage attribute that stores energy during off-peak demand to provide electricity during high demand. This ensures lower bills.
You can also install it outdoors as it's IP65 water-resistant. It's a practical addition to any home with a 10-year warranty, smart control, and other easygoing features.
BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup
The BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup is a true off-and-on-grid system that can be paired with both. It has a 9,000W power output, which can power all 120V/240V devices.
It features a battery storage capacity of 9,920Wh~19,840W, which can be expanded according to your unique requirements.
It features a LiFePO₄ battery, a 10-year warranty, and monitoring with BLUETTI APP via WiFi or Bluetooth control, etc. Also, it's IP65 water-resistant, which means you can install it indoors or outdoors. Also, with the help of this system, you can sell surplus electricity back to the grid, which makes it more economical.
Final Word
Rolling blackouts are normal and can occur occasionally, so no major blackouts exist. However, you can contact your electricity company to know better. Moreover, you should bring reliable home beauty solutions to prevent any blackouts. They smartly store energy to power your home during outages. Plus, they save bills, are environmentally friendly, and are straightforward. So, go through all the points mentioned above and bring
