I work for a power generation company. If everyone was to turn their lights off at the same time there would be a sudden drop in the load on the national grid. Power grids are designed to cope with sudden increases in power (everyone knows the half time cuppa scenario) but are not designed to cope with a sudden drop. As the load drops, resistance in the spinning generators attached to gas turbines would also drop causing the revs per minute to increase significantly. The turbines turn at about 15% below their designed maximum rpm. A sudden increase would potentially cause the turbine blades to expand and catch on the outside of the rotor housing with catastrophic results. The gas turbines would go out of action and the reduced capacity would be met by turning on the dirty coal fired plants that stand as reserve capacity.
Knowing this, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that these “everyone turn your lights out at the same time” schemes, if ’sucessful’, are only likey to knock out our more efficient generators and ultimately produce more emissions in the long run as the less efficient generators, normally reserved for peak periods, are brought online. It can take months to fix a bust gas turbine. If all of them went at once, well, you can imagine the consequences!
Too bad we can’t use all that power that is wasted on street lights at night to generate hydrogen for ultra-lite commuter cars during the day, reducing pollution and improving air quality, reducing waste, two birds with one stone eh! and a nice even load for the turbines, but what about night crimes - see in the dark camera systems and motion detectors, recent technologies, might help, so might better prison systems that reduce repeat offenders and treat crime aa a preventable disease rather than a game cops and robbers play and judges score, all of them for huge wages I might add.
The person who said this would cause more harm than good is right by the way. He’s exactly right with what would happen to the turbines, so if you would like to screw us all over even MORE, then go ahead and turn off your lights.
I work for a power generation company. If everyone was to turn their lights off at the same time there would be a sudden drop in the load on the national grid. Power grids are designed to cope with sudden increases in power (everyone knows the half time cuppa scenario) but are not designed to cope with a sudden drop. As the load drops, resistance in the spinning generators attached to gas turbines would also drop causing the revs per minute to increase significantly. The turbines turn at about 15% below their designed maximum rpm. A sudden increase would potentially cause the turbine blades to expand and catch on the outside of the rotor housing with catastrophic results. The gas turbines would go out of action and the reduced capacity would be met by turning on the dirty coal fired plants that stand as reserve capacity.
Knowing this, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that these “everyone turn your lights out at the same time” schemes, if ’sucessful’, are only likey to knock out our more efficient generators and ultimately produce more emissions in the long run as the less efficient generators, normally reserved for peak periods, are brought online. It can take months to fix a bust gas turbine. If all of them went at once, well, you can imagine the consequences!
The only reason lights should be on is if you are reading. Otherwise, candles are Queen.
Too bad we can’t use all that power that is wasted on street lights at night to generate hydrogen for ultra-lite commuter cars during the day, reducing pollution and improving air quality, reducing waste, two birds with one stone eh! and a nice even load for the turbines, but what about night crimes - see in the dark camera systems and motion detectors, recent technologies, might help, so might better prison systems that reduce repeat offenders and treat crime aa a preventable disease rather than a game cops and robbers play and judges score, all of them for huge wages I might add.
8-9pm?
What time zone?
Doesn’t seem like it would have much effect if everyone was doing it at different times of the day.
I agree, what time zone? I’m lost already.
Please click on the Facebook link where all is explained.
The person who said this would cause more harm than good is right by the way. He’s exactly right with what would happen to the turbines, so if you would like to screw us all over even MORE, then go ahead and turn off your lights.
Well, as you can imagine, this should be a point best addressed directly to the WWF who are behind this action.
Certainly, the complications that may arise are something I’ll be investigating and I thank you for your comment(s).
It’s ok if everybody turns off there lights between 8pm and 9pm in there time zone. Don’t panic.
My light will be off.