𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟: 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗲’𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱, courtesy of Gemini and inspired by Tameron McGurren-Leal’s post. What can the world's biggest power couple teach us about power grids? The frenzy around Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is a perfect metaphor for flexible energy load: the ability to adjust electricity use to match supply, keeping our grid stable and clean. It’s an opportunity to “𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟”. Here are five lessons: 1. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲): Their relationship dropped unexpectedly, creating a massive spike in attention. The grid sees similar spikes from heatwaves. Flexible load lets us quickly reduce non-essential use to manage the surge without firing up costly peaker plants. 2. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 (𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠): Each concert creates a huge, predictable demand spike. Our grid sees this daily from 5-9 PM. Flexibility means shifting tasks like EV charging to off-peak hours to "shave the peak" and reduce system stress. 3. 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐀𝐠𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬): A single photo can go viral. Individually small, their collective impact is massive. This is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP): thousands of smart thermostats and batteries, aggregated to provide major grid support. 4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 (𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬): Cities welcome the economic benefits of a tour stop. Their utilities may offer flexible rates or payments. When stability has tangible value for the user, everyone wins. 5. 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 (𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧): Their public life is managed by coordinated teams. A flexible grid requires the same real-time communication between utilities, aggregators, and smart devices to make it all work. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲: The future grid must be dynamic and responsive. We need to be as strategic with our energy demand as they are with their careers. #FlexibleLoad #DemandResponse #EnergyTransition #SmartGrid #VPP #TaylorSwift #TravisKelce #CleanTech #Innovation #GridModernization
This is so interesting!
Human Resources Professional | Teacher | Consultant
3wI love this more than I should.