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

Electricity producers can’t turn the supply up and down linearly. They can bring a generator online or shut one down, but there’s no in-between. Generators, or more specifically, alternators create voltage at a fixed frequency and amplitude. It’s fed directly to the grid – not regulated to DC and back to AC.