Notes on Electric Utility Brownouts: New Mexico's largest utility recently announced that ratepayers can expect brownouts this summer. Brownouts are caused when customers demand more electricity than the utility can produce. The utility then reduces the electric system's capacity and voltage by 10-25%. A brownout may last for less than a second. With decreased demand, the utility can restore full power levels and avoid a blackout.
During a brownout, electric service is not interrupted completely but electronics and appliances may "fry" or malfunction when the power is restored: the momentary surge of power can damage electronics.
A blackout is a large-scale service interruption, typically caused by downed power lines or blown transformers. A blackout lasts from hours to days or even weeks. Blackouts shut devices off, and so they tend to be less harmful to equipment.
Could we consider this brownout warning an opportunity to reduce electricity demands especially from 7-9 am and 4-7 pm (peak demand times)? Instead of buying and running air conditioners, could homeowners paint roofing with white, reflective paint? People of means might opt to buy generators to keep their households' electricity uninterrupted. Alas. Generators tend to be toxic, expensive, flammable... and inverters chop the 60-Hz cycle.
How/could we discuss options for the common good?
