Why do grid operator have to pay customer to use up the excess electricity to avoid the potential blackout. But can’t they ground it into the literal ground/earth?

Question

Why do grid operator have to pay customer to use up the excess electricity to avoid the potential blackout. But can’t they ground it into the literal ground/earth?

In: 131

Answer 1

You cannot ground it like you say, you need expensive resistance equipment to do that. So ELI5 – it’s just cheaper longer term to pay people to use more than to build the equipment to absorb the excess.