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The idea of using batteries to “end electric outages”, as proposed by Green Mountain Power in Vermont ( in the BDN on Oct. 13) is like many “green” ideas: very expensive and highly impractical.
Batteries will do nothing to fix downed poles and broken wires causing outages; the damage will be just as great as ever. Those who have batteries will be less desperate for repairs, but the article says the batteries will provide power for only two to 48 hours. In the ice storm of 1998, my power was out for two weeks. With one of Vermont’s batteries I’d have been OK for two days, and frozen during the next 12. Fortunately I had a generator, which kept me warm as long as I put fuel in it.
The cost of supplying batteries is estimated at $10,000 to $18,000 per household, which the utility plans to recover by higher rates. For the utility to recover $10,000 in 10 years would require over $1,000 per year added to each household’s already existing electric bill.
Batteries may have a place in the energy mix, but they’ll never end electric outages. Gas or propane generators are cheaper and run as long as needed.
Lawrence E. Merrill
Bangor
