Ie. If power lines at one end of the street get felled by a tree, power just comes from the other end of the street instead.
High voltage distribution lines can be done the same - every transformer getting fed from at least 2 places.
Obviously with many lines down, such a system might leave everyone with power, but total power deliverable is still lower. For that, you need smart metering that integrates with consumers distribution boards such that at times of stress on the power network, less important loads are turned off by default (ie. Pool heaters), whilst lighting and fridges stay on.
Nowhere in the US does that for consumers yet I don't think.
> Ie. If power lines at one end of the street get felled by a tree, power just comes from the other end of the street instead.
That would imply a live wire under a tree. Not a good idea.
> Nowhere in the US does that for consumers yet I don't think.
Tons of places do that, in exchange for a lower rate you install a box that lets the utility shut off your AC when demand is very high. It's available in almost all states last time I checked.
Ie. If power lines at one end of the street get felled by a tree, power just comes from the other end of the street instead.
High voltage distribution lines can be done the same - every transformer getting fed from at least 2 places.
Obviously with many lines down, such a system might leave everyone with power, but total power deliverable is still lower. For that, you need smart metering that integrates with consumers distribution boards such that at times of stress on the power network, less important loads are turned off by default (ie. Pool heaters), whilst lighting and fridges stay on.
Nowhere in the US does that for consumers yet I don't think.