QuixoticgeekMar 30

Our world economy seems to depend on a single 40km wide bit of salt water not being used as a battlefield.

And people thought this is a good system...

Show threadJ$
@quixoticgeek Many more of such choke points exist. That fragility comes with scale-up.
Mar 30 at 11:09amWeb
Show threadQuixoticgeekMar 30
@js no choke points on the sun... Or wind.
Show threadJ$Mar 30
@quixoticgeek No. The grid isn’t indestructible, at least not necessarily. That requires a distributed architecture, self-balancing and free of failure points.
Show threadQuixoticgeekMar 30
@js you can put solar panels on your roof. No grid issues then.
Show threadtsadilasMar 30
@quixoticgeek @js unfortunately there is a chock point here too, even though it's effect are not so imminent. It is the Bayan Obo, the mine from which 45% of rare-earth elements comes from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Obo_Mining_District?wprov=sfla1
Bayan Obo Mining District - Wikipedia

Show threadQuixoticgeekMar 30

@tsadilas @js oh yes. And the spruce pine mines are a world wide single point of failure for the silicon industry, affecting semiconductors, solar, the works.

Fortunately there's a such a glut of solar panels in Europe right now you can get a 400w panel for about €60.

Show threadStumpy The MuttMar 30
@quixoticgeek @js Most solar power inverters need a grid connection to synchronize with. I.e. no grid power = no solar power.
Show threadQuixoticgeekMar 30
@StumpyTheMutt @js some do. It's not a requirement tho.
Show threadStumpy The MuttMar 30
@quixoticgeek @js *Most* do. The off grid versions are much more expensive, thus there are fewer of them. Solar is a much better option than fossil fuels, but it takes investment *most* people don't or can't do. My solar is off grid, but it took me years to put it together so I could afford it.