Currently we are told the power grid struggles to handle the power load demand during the summer due to air conditioners. Yet scientists claim this same power grid could handle an entire nation of EVs. How? What am I missing?
In: 20541
The YouTube channel Engineering Explained [did a great in depth video on the subject. ](https://youtu.be/7dfyG6FXsUU)
It’s worth watching the full 16 minute video, but the answer is that the grid would need about 25% more capacity if every single person in the US switched to electric vehicles. And the grid operators can easily increase the capacity by 25%. The electric grid from 1960-2000 increased capacity by 4% per year, so it would only take about 7 years to fully increase the grid.
As for why it can get overwhelmed by AC during heat waves, that is a business choice not a physics choice. The grid could be designed to handle any demand from all the AC. But that only happens a few days a year and not even guaranteed every year. That peak capacity is wasted most of the time. This is especially true because thst demand is only for a few hours a day even on the worst days. A peak demand like that is the hardest and most expensive way to produce electricity.
EV charging is perfect for electric generation. You can charge during off peak hours, when the generators are otherwise idle (or worse, spinning down but still producing electricity). They also charge at a lower, steady rate.
Edit- had a few repeat comments so want to link my replies
Using EV as energy storage for the grid
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byu/MonstahButtonz from discussion
inexplainlikeimfive
About using batteries as storage to supply peak power (the whole comment chain has a great discussion, I just added to it)
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byu/MonstahButtonz from discussion
inexplainlikeimfive
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