Elon Musk sends Powerwalls to Puerto Rico

[freebeard]

No, it's about (a lot of) those grid-tied solar not being designed to work when they're not connected to the grid.

Is there an echo in here?

I haven't rewatched the provided video, but from memory — Mr. Rickard chose manual switching because (being a software developer) he doesn't trust automation. The guy has scorch marks on his 18ft ceiling from battery packs on fire, so I estimate he has some relevant experience.

[freebeard]

cnbc.com:Puerto Rico's governor says 'let's talk' after Elon Musk says Tesla can rebuild the island's power grid

Anarcho-capitalism isn't my favorite flavor, but credit where credit is due to Mr. Musk.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Is there an echo in here?

No, there's someone trying to explain the facts, instead of allowing the false assumption that not using (improperly designed) solar panels during an outage is merely government being obstructive.

[oil pan 4]

I haven't seen lithium batteries for the same price as lead acid yet.
Plus I wouldn't want lithium in an off grid application any ways. You over draw the batteries once and they are finished, or their capacity is severely damaged.
Deep cycle lead acid are much more forgiving.

Plus some where like PR you know the batteries are going to be in hot conditions, which we know heat damages the capacity and shortens the life span of lithium.

When you do accidentally kill your lithium batteries you will be running a generator for how ever long it takes to get new ones shipped in which could take a week to a few months if they are back ordered. With deep cycle lead acid I can go over to the local battery supply store and get new batteries that day.

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

I haven't seen lithium batteries for the same price as lead acid yet.
Plus I wouldn't want lithium in an off grid application any ways. You over draw the batteries once and they are finished, or their capacity is severely damaged.
Deep cycle lead acid are much more forgiving.

$25 cheapo 12s lithium BMSes for ebike batteries have a battery protection cutoff.

One would assume the powerwall product has at least this much functionality.

[JockoT]

Read a report this week, that using carbon from bitumen in Lithium batteries allows very fast charging and discharging.
Asphalt helps lithium batteries charge faster

[freebeard]

When you do accidentally kill your lithium batteries you will be running a generator for how ever long it takes to get new ones shipped in which could take a week to a few months if they are back ordered.

The news story I linked at Permalink #32 suggests an integrated solar/battery backup solution; which likely will have the wherewithall to heat or cool itself as needed.

With deep cycle lead acid I can go over to the local battery supply store and get new batteries that day.

The first day, but what about the next day?

The asphalt thing is interesting.

[oil pan 4]

Inverters have battery cut off protection but still people manage to kill lead acid banks.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

I haven't seen lithium batteries for the same price as lead acid yet.
Plus I wouldn't want lithium in an off grid application any ways. You over draw the batteries once and they are finished, or their capacity is severely damaged.
Deep cycle lead acid are much more forgiving.

Plus some where like PR you know the batteries are going to be in hot conditions, which we know heat damages the capacity and shortens the life span of lithium.

When you do accidentally kill your lithium batteries you will be running a generator for how ever long it takes to get new ones shipped in which could take a week to a few months if they are back ordered. With deep cycle lead acid I can go over to the local battery supply store and get new batteries that day.

That's a good point, plus the easier recyclability of lead-acid batteries that can be done at a regional level.

[oil pan 4]

Yes lead is universally recycled.
Supposedly lithium batteries are largely not recycled, since they are non toxic and the raw materials are much cheaper than recycling.