3 ms·
Can be done up to some level, but you still need a stable source of ~50Hz frequency to keep everything synced.
by ragebol 2y ago
Can be done up to some level, but you still need a stable source of ~50Hz frequency to keep everything synced.
- 15155 2y ago50Hz is so low that peaks can be synchronized via atomic/GPS-sourced clocks if it were ever necessary to decentralize.
- bluGill 2y agoYou only need to synchronize when you are connecting two different generators. If you house is getting 51 hz, or 50hz but out of phase you won't care because everything works anyway (some clocks will run too fast but otherwise you won't even notice). Only when you want to connect two grids (because one can't make enough power and the other is making more than they need) do you need to synchronize. Even then they only need to synchronize to each other, not the rest of the world.
- 15155 2y agoYes - but the point is, rather than tracking and synchronizing against an existing power sinusoid, you can track and synchronize against a global clock source and never deviate.
- bluGill 2y agoWhich isn't hard. Many people in the US own something that could be used and we are not even under attack. While most home depot generators deliver dirty power the better ones can provide stable 60hz (US uses 60hz not 50) - those could be used to provide the 60hz to the grid (it wouldn't be worth everything needed to actually do this, but in theory could). there are a lot of "solar generators" that also can provide stable frequency. Many houses are off grid completely and have their own stable source of frequency when they want it (those most often those run on DC, they have the ability to provide AC for things they can't get a DC version of)
- ragebol 2y agoBut: where do you start with those after a blackout (which I assume is pretty possible in a scenario where the grid is under attack). How do you sync them all in that case? Can maybe be done via GPS timing, but hard to get that coordination going after you've needed it.
- grues-dinner 2y agoIt's called a "black start" and it's difficult at the best of times when everything is in a known state and generally good repair.