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Microgrids May Provide Distributed Energy

Posted by Zonk on from the will-the-riaa-object dept.

jobcello wrote to mention a BBC article discussing a new technique for power distribution that might provide electricity using a series of small "microgrids", in a manner similar to peer-to-peer software. From the article: "'This would save something like 20 to 30% of our emissions with hardly anyone knowing it ... A microgrid is a collection of small generators for a collection of users in close proximity ... It supplies heat through the household, but you already have cables in the ground, so it is easy to construct an electricity network. Then you create some sort of control network.' That network could be made into a smart grid using more sophisticated software and grid computing technologies."

10 of 159 comments (clear)

  1. ..but... by Abstract_Me · · Score: 4, Funny

    the RIAA will never allow it...

  2. controller softwared exists by yagu · · Score: 4, Funny

    from the post:

    Then you create some sort of control network.' That network could be made into a smart grid using more sophisticated software and grid computing technologies.

    I believe if you'll check the documentation, that sophisticated smart-grid controller software is part of the new Office 12 release.

    1. Re:controller softwared exists by timeToy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually it was already part of Office XP and Office 2003, but people couldn't find it in the complex menu structure, so now it's exposed on the new super fancy icons bar !

    2. Re:controller softwared exists by tktk · · Score: 4, Funny
      Unfortunately, it's tied into the Office 12 Clippy...

      Clippy: It looks like you're trying to create a microgrid control network.

      Clippy: Overload Generators?

      • Yes.
      • Yes.
      • Yes. Then send bug report.
  3. What if... by keith_nt4 · · Score: 4, Funny
    That network could be made into a smart grid using more sophisticated software and grid computing technologies.

    ...the power goes out?

    --
    "UNIX is very simple, it just needs a genius to understand its simplicity." -Dennis Ritchie
  4. Great, just what we need by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 4, Funny

    a new technique for power distribution that might provide electricity using a series of small "microgrids", in a manner similar to peer-to-peer software.

    And you can bet on countless participants finding ways to not share at a 1:1 ratio, just like on most P2P networks...

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  5. Sort of by Trailwalker · · Score: 2, Funny
    Then you create some sort of control network.
    Just as soon as I finish writing some sort of article.
  6. Re:wow, they have it all worked out! by Wazukkithemaster · · Score: 2, Funny


    will it run Linux?
    More importantly, will it run Linux powered solely by dead cats?

    --
    Live according to the Categorical Imperative. If the Categorical Imperative tells you not to live by it... ignore it
  7. Reliability of an electric network? Ha! by darkmeridian · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microgrids cannot get very big unless the infrastructure gets much better. The great blackout of August 2003 was caused by one power plant screwing up and then all the other plants powering down to protect their networks. These are huge power plants we are talking about. Imagine one guy who didn't maintain his generator wiping out the microgrid every day!

    --
    A NYC lawyer blogs. http://www.chuangblog.com/
  8. 50-odd comments... by BluhDeBluh · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yet none have used to term "Peer-to-Power". I'm ashamed of you Slashdotters, and your lack of obvious punnery.