Hard to do that when other utilities are facing the same problem of low demand. I don't know enough about hydroelectric plants like those that we have here in MT, and am not sure how quickly they can respond to changes in demand. Theoretically they have an endless supply of water, and it wouldn't take much to bleed power off to pump water back up to the lake or reservoir rather than reduce the output of the turbines.
Most dams have multiple units in parallel. They can turn units off/divert for any reason. They also turn them off for maintenance.
It's on my "things to tinker with if/when I get enough time" but have not gone that route yet....
And this is the real problem out here. They have mandated away under 25hp already…and ALL ICE in ten years. They have some screwball rules about eliminating trucks and railroad diesel as well….yeah right…that will end well.
But also, not deriding others for making different choices. I don't own an EV and don't see one in my short or long-term future, but I don't have a problem with the myriad reasons why people buy them. I'm going to focus on making my '98 Jeep TJ, '02 F-250 and '24 F-450 meet my needs for as long as possible, but I also enjoy seeing the cool and interesting technology on the road too. I've seen @North Idaho Wolfman's Cadillac and it's a stunning vehicle that obvoiusly works for them.
I believe in the scientific method, and in an ideal world we'd all follow the science regardless of whether we like the outcome or not. But ultimately everything has always been and always will be about power and money. The former enables the latter.Well, the mandates that everyone needs to switch to EVs is stupid.
There are a 100 difernt factors that effect eficency of an EV.
I want a hydrogen / diesel engine pickup truck, that is powering a generator, that is powering the electric drive system on the truck.
Because of the tech advancments from year to year every car/truck is getting like this.
Being on the fabrication side of the coin I get to deal with "recycled" cars...from the perspective they just push them into the kettle and melt them down, then adjust the mix to meet the specifications and slab it. Mild steel used to be 1020 Plate or 1018 Bar, now it is A36 with very relaxed material properties. Can't tell you how many times a machining center would hit a "hard spot" (chrome) and break a cutter. That's pretty much handled at the mills nowadays, however Oregon brand chainsaw chain has the chrome deposit issue--you need a diamond file if a tooth has "the shiney stuff."
A36 is a hot rolled structural steel and totally fine in that application. 1020, 1018. 1045, and a host of other "mild steels" are readily available with or without CERTS.
