[takanori]

This was my thought as well. Nothing like a crisis to spur invention. I did the math on a power wall. It’s too expensive to be feasible. Two units with installation cost $20K. That doesn’t include the solar panels required to keep it charged. You can get a gas generator with similar capacity for $5K. Not to mention gas is typically readily available.

[hcurtiss]

Exactly right. I got a Harbor Freight generator, installed a natural gas carburetor and plumbed in a quick release valve on our outside natural gas line. It will run the whole house, including the gas furnace and water heater. I love the idea of battery backup for our solar panels, but it's super expensive, and the payoff is so distant the NPV approaches zero.

[ppf]

Wonderful. What would energy usage and air pollution look like if everyone did this? Decentralized energy production = horribly inefficient.

[hcurtiss]

Totally agreed. This is for emergency use. I suppose sitting in the dark is better for the planet, but I would really rather my freezer not spoil.

[ppf]

Indeed. I hope the climate activists are taking this opportunity to learn about human behaviour once a situation is deemed an emergency - everyone will do whatever it takes, whether it's run a cheap (and, I assume, highly polluting) ICE generator, or burn wood in an open fire, to keep their house warm and food on the table.

[supahfly_remix]

how about coupling your BEV (if you own one) to your house to maybe require a smaller battery? not trying to solve this problem there, but rather to encourage people to view this as an opportunity. i know that if power outages were to become common, i would be willing to spend money to address this problem for me and my family.