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Comment As (generally) an Apple Fan... (Score 2) 31

I really wish I could use NextCloud to completely replace iCloud. Full device backups, functional photo synchronization across devices, maybe even a centralized recovery system. All bordered by a VPN of course.

I actually heard of a friend losing everything through something that sounds quite similar to this issue a couple weeks ago. They lost complete access to their AppleID, which can be a real pain in the ass if you have bought into the ecosystem.

I also really need to figure out a good backup solution for the passwords/keychain app; there are far too many auto-generated passwords that are only saved on the device/cloud.

Comment Re:If there really is too much solar during the da (Score 1) 335

Actually, the issue is the same as any other power source: it isn't needed all the time it can produce, so you curtail. It isn't a big deal; arguably it is by design that you have more capacity than you need ~10% of the days of the year. That means another ~30% of the days you will have enough solar.

The real problem though is that grid-scale solar was installed without battery requirements at pre-purchased rates. Rooftop solar should have batteries as well for load leveling, but for the large facilities not having batteries makes it a burden on the balance of the sources.

Comment Re:Level 2 chargers... (Score 1) 202

The wall connectors (proper term) do include safety and communications equipment, but the hardware is heavily commoditized. The site infrastructure was what was expensive. Depending on how it was done, each pair of "chargers" needed its own conduit from the panel, and code issues mean that once you have over about 20 conduits you need to space them into multiple conduits. I worked on a project with 100 chargers, and the amount of trenching done was ...sub optimal. You also end up needing to deal with stormwater management because of so much disturbed area.

Today there are a few better options-- simple things like being able to run one conduit for 12 (more expensive) chargers with a code compiant system makes a really big difference.

Comment Re:Read the original article (Score 1) 202

As with many early adopter issues, EV chargers weren't put in for private industry especially well. The construction methods and designs didn't really get very refined until recently. Also, for fleet applications, the Tesla/NACS port would have been a big win-- charging at 48A x 277V rather than 40A x 208V dramatically reduces charging time and cost of construction. I know a lot of desing engineers also short changed chargers when installing them ~10 years ago-- designing for an average of 30A was common with the logic that you charged over an 8-hour shift so a diversified load that would give ~200 miles range in a shift.

Today we have better designs that allow for more rapid deployment and lower costs since they are more mass-market and not one-off.

Comment Re:build more nuke plants! (Score 1) 58

I believe the GP was referring to the waste per MWh. You need to change the operating equation to burn more of the fuel to offset the reduced efficiency due to (IIRC) core poisoning. NuScale specifically has a less uranium-efficient design as I understand. There is also a component of pi*r^3 for reactor waste at end of life.

Comment Re:build more nuke plants! (Score 0) 58

Specific to data centers, nuclear is perfect; great steady baseload, highly centralized load, intrinsic security perimeter, and plenty of open area nearby. The issue though is lead-time and cost. If one of the SMR companies could get to mass production it would be almost perfect. You even reduce cost by eliminating transmission voltages.

Comment Re: ... for a small fraction of 30 of the last 38 (Score 1) 215

Yeah, those systems aren't perfect. If bedrooms are on one system and living spaces on another, the bedrooms can have a higher/lower setpoint during the day, and the other spaces can go higher/lower at night. If (as an example) you are an empty nester, then consider getting a mini-split heat pump for the master bedroom and disabling the central AC for the room.

Really though, if you have an all-electric kitchen and hot tub, you should consider going all heat pump for hot water and HVAC to ditch the gas bill entirely.

I would also look at some of the "DIY" battery options sooner rather than later; signaturesolar.com and diysolarforum.com are useful places to start. You could put in a 15kW/60kWh system for $28k. Or look at the Tesla powerwall.

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