NOAA updates hurricane forecast to ‘above normal’ heading into peak months
DENISE CHOW
August 10, 2023 at 11:36 AM
The Atlantic hurricane season is heading into its peak months and federal officials now say the United States could see “above normal” activity this year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday updated its seasonal forecast, predicting a 60% chance of 14 to 21 named storms with winds 39 mph or higher. Of those, six to 11 could become hurricanes, including two to five “major” hurricanes that reach Category 3 or higher with winds of at least 111 mph.
NOAA’s initial forecast, released in May, predicted a 40% chance of a “near-normal” hurricane season. An average season, which begins June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30, typically produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes, according to the agency.
Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said the increased likelihood of above-normal hurricane activity is being driven by current ocean and atmospheric conditions — including record-warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean — and the ongoing El Niño event.
“The June-July sea surface temperatures in the main development region of the North Atlantic were the warmest since 1950,” Rosencrans said Thursday in a news briefing.
He added that waters in that part of the ocean last month were more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures are a key ingredient that fuels the formation of storms.
Global sea surface temperatures have shattered records this year, with parts of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean basin all engulfed in intense and persistent marine heat waves.
But El Niño, a naturally occurring climate pattern, characterized by warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, will also play a major role in influencing weather conditions around the world this year, according to NOAA.
El Niño conditions usually suppress storm development by increasing upper-level winds in the Atlantic that can tear hurricanes apart and disrupt major storms as they are forming.
As such, the interplay between warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures and the ongoing El Niño is the main driver of uncertainty in this season’s forecast, Rosencrans said.
NOAA has said there is a greater than 95% chance that El Niño conditions will linger through the winter.
The agency’s hurricane outlooks are predictions of overall activity during the season but do not make projections about storm landfalls. The updated forecast includes the five named storms and one hurricane that have already formed this season in the Atlantic basin.
Rosencrans said people should take precautions now to prepare for the peak months of hurricane season. Historically, about 90% of all tropical storm activity in the Atlantic occurs from August through October.
“No matter the overall activity, we urge you to prepare now for the upcoming core of the hurricane season,” he said, “as a single storm can have catastrophic impacts.”
Benefits of a Home Monitoring Package for Your Generator
Homeowners realize that power outages have become an increasing problem due to a variety of factors. An immediate solution is the installation of home generators. If you choose to have a stationary generator installed for home use, a monitoring package can be included. This provides even more peace of mind because the functionality of the generator is monitored virtually, and so any needed repairs or recalibration is taken care of before an emergency occurs.
Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. serves all of New Jersey with installations of commercial and residential generators, as well as monitoring packages. Learn more about monitoring packages and why they may be advantageous for your needs.
Monitoring Makes Sure Your Generator Is Ready
We are all aware that extreme weather and other disasters can interrupt electrical service to our homes, sometimes for long periods. High winds and tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, and ice buildup are just some of the conditions known to knock out power across the United States. What’s more, while waiting for power to be restored, citizens have suffered cold, heat, smoke inhalation, and the interruption of life-saving medical devices.
Including a monitoring package with the home generator can help protect you and your family during these times of unexpected hardship. Remote monitoring ensures that the generator is always ready to give your house power for operating appliances, furnaces, medical equipment, and other electrical needs during electrical service interruptions.
Convenient Generator Monitoring Packages
A monitoring package uses virtual technicians to regularly review your generator’s capacity and workability. That way, it is ready to turn on as soon as there is a power outage.
For example, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc., can access the information 24/7 and provides maintenance and repair services for any problems. In addition, the homeowner can use a smartphone, tablet, or computer to access this information via the Internet with mobile link, dealer-managed WiFi connectivity.
By notifying the dealer, installer, and homeowner about any incorrect capability or operation, problems can be swiftly handled and generators can get back to providing homeowners and businesses their much-needed service. Monitoring packages for generators helps maintain the safety of your home during electrical emergencies.
Choose the Right Residential Generator
There are several types of generators available for keeping the lights on while waiting for electrical grid repairs. Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. offers assistance with an informative generator guide. Here are some highlights:
What kind of generator is best?
There are a variety of power sources used for emergency generators. These include gasoline, propane, and natural gas, depending on what is available in the area or the home. Factors influencing the choice of the generator also include expense, lifestyle, and medical concerns.
Portable generators
These smaller generators must be operated outside, but are usually stored inside, so homeowners must be able to physically bring them outside for safe operations.
There are some limitations to using portable generators. For one, they use gasoline for fuel, so you’re limited in how long you can use them. Secondly, their onboard gas tank design means they should only be used outdoors.
Please note: Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. doesn’t sell portable generators.
Stationary generators
These generators are installed permanently in an outside location and are ready to automatically start up when the electrical power is interrupted. Using propane or natural gas, they are always connected to an existing gas line. Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. can help homeowners select the stationary generator that is the right size for operation per their needs until the electricity is restored.
Maintain Electrical Power to Your Home in New Jersey
A residential generator is a good idea for ensuring the safety and operation of your home during emergencies, or any time there is an electrical grid outage. At Corbin Electrical Services, Inc., we customize solutions for residential and commercial customers to ensure we meet their specific needs. New Jersey residents can schedule an appointment or contact us today!
Corbin Electrical Services – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
Preparing Your Home for an EV Charger
Installing an electric vehicle (EV) home charging station requires advanced knowledge of electrical systems and mechanical expertise. At Corbin Electrical Services, Inc., we have extensive experience installing EV charging stations. We even install dedicated generators for EV charging stations in case a home’s electrical system fails, so you’ll always have dependable transportation. Here, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. offers information on what EV home chargers are and how to ensure EV owners have a safe, reliable way to get their cars energized and on the road.
What Is an EV Home Charging Station?
An EV home charging station is an apparatus that transmits energy to the batteries of electric vehicles, such as electric or hybrid-powered cars and trucks. There are two different types of charging stations, including the following:
Level 1
Level 1 is a common charging device compatible to use with a standard household plug that supplies 110 or 120 volts per kilowatt hour. This charger has a three-pronged plug that connects to a control box. Another longer cord extends out the opposite end of the control box, directly into the car’s electrical port.
The advantage of the Level 1 system is that it requires no extra installation, utilizing a standard home outlet for energy. It should be noted that no heavy appliances should be used on the same circuit at the same time to minimize the risk of blowing a fuse. Additionally, a Level 1 charger can supply about three to five miles for each hour charged. That means it will take about 24 to 50 hours to fully charge a typical EV sedan.
Level 2
Level 2 chargers, on the other hand, offer a more complex system that can be difficult for a novice to install. However, its output can charge up to 25 vehicle miles per hour, reducing the charge time for many cars to about five or six hours. This benefit alone makes the professional installation of a Level 2 charger worth it.
Home Prep for an EV Charger
There are several steps to take to prepare to install a Level 2 electrical vehicle charger. They include:
Locating Power Panel Amps
The first and most critical step is to locate the power panel and determine its amp capacity. A home’s power panel typically supplies between 60 and 200 amps, depending on when the panel was installed though. Most new homes have a 200-amp service panel, while older homes will have a 100-amp panel.
Auditing Energy
Performing an energy audit is a very important step toward making sure you don’t overload the home’s electrical system by adding a Level 2 charger. Department of Energy offers a free self-directed home energy assessment with instructions. At any time, home energy consumption should not exceed 80% of the panel’s full capacity.
Installing Charger
Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. installs level-two EV charging stations. These chargers require a 240-volt power source. If your garage doesn’t have an adequate power source, you will need a dedicated circuit and a 240-volt outlet.
Other possible options for plugging in the charger are to find out if the garage has a 240-volt amp socket, often referred to as a dryer socket because it was built to handle large appliances. This will supply sufficient energy without blowing a fuse. Or, install a separate dedicated power system to manage the Level 2 charger’s energy flow to the vehicle.
Visit Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. for EV Charger Installations
Our team is proud to provide environmentally conscious drivers with the exceptional installation of EV home charging stations throughout New Jersey. Our expert technicians will analyze a home’s power panel to ensure your home remains safely powered whenever you’re charging your electric car. To learn more about our work, or to schedule an EV home charging station setup, contact us today.
Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
Which Generator Parts Need Regular Replacement?
Power outages are unpredictable and knowing how long it will take for power to be restored is an even greater mystery. Generators are useful pieces of equipment that can help reduce the damage and inconvenience that occurs when you lose power at your home or commercial building.
Although they are a useful tool to have, residential and commercial generators are only reliable if properly functioning. Knowing how to take care of your generator and which parts require regular replacement can help you properly maintain your alternative power source. Here, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. details which generator components require the most frequent replacement.
Generator Parts and When They Should Be Replaced
As the name implies, a power generator is a device that is capable of generating alternative energy. In a gas-powered generator, an internal combustion engine provides the mechanical force needed to generate a current. It accomplishes this by spinning a shaft inside a stationary magnetic field to produce electrical power through copper wiring.
For a generator, performing such a task requires multiple components to work at once. Over time, these critical components can wear down, requiring them to be replaced to sustain optimal performance. The most common parts that typically need to be replaced on a commercial generator are as follows:
Oil Filter
Oil is crucial for the smooth operation of a generator. Because of this, the oil filter is equally as important. The oil filter extracts the soot from the oil breakdown and extracts any metal contaminants. Without an effective filter, contaminants can build up, restrict flow, and create low oil pressure, resulting in engine hot spots and damage. It is recommended that oil filters be replaced annually.
Fuel Filter
Generators require adequate fuel for efficient operation. As such, the fuel filter is essential. This component filters out impurities and moisture to ensure that the fuel entering the high-pressure system of the engine is clean and meets supply requirements. The fuel filter should be replaced annually to ensure it sufficiently filters out all contaminants.
Belts
Just like with an internal combustion engine, belts play a significant role in how well the generator runs. The purpose of a belt is to ensure moving parts of the generator’s engine are rotating at the same time, eliminating the risk of components hitting one another. Belts should be inspected annually and replaced when needed, or after every 36 months.
Generator Maintenance and Repairs
To make certain your generator is working properly every year, we advise having it serviced routinely. As certified experts in generator maintenance, the team at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. is proud to offer preventative maintenance programs, which allow our skilled technicians to ensure your generator stays reliable during utility power outages.
The quality generator maintenance we perform can be essential to the proper functioning of a system while also minimizing the risk of accidents, damage, and more costly repairs. The benefits of our generator maintenance program include the following:
- Priority scheduling: Take advantage of priority scheduling to get your generator serviced at a time convenient for your needs.
- Regularly scheduled visits: Clients can enjoy peace of mind with regularly scheduled visits, where our technicians will arrive at the agreed-upon time and date.
- Industry-leading expertise: Our factory-certified mechanics are trained to successfully perform a variety of maintenance tasks at the highest level of service.
Have Your Generator Serviced By Our Experts
Prepare for the next power outage by investing in generator replacement parts and utilizing the maintenance and repair services offered at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. Serving clients throughout the New Jersey area, our trained technicians will perform the necessary inspections and repairs needed to ensure your generator functions at maximum potential. Should the need for a new generator ever arise, we also offer professional installation services. To learn more about our offerings, simply contact us today at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc.
Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
Using Your Generator in Extended Blackouts
During power outages, generators provide peace of mind. Purchasing a generator can provide families with much-needed power during an electrical outage. However, there are risks if used improperly. Incorrectly using your generator can lead to a host of serious consequences. Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. details how to safely use a residential generator for an extended period in the event of a severe blackout.
Safety Tips for Extended Use
Most households rely heavily on electricity for daily needs. Power outages can drastically disrupt how households function. Backup generators are an important defense against power outages in the event of a storm, accident, or other cause of power failure. With a blackout generator, a household can have the power supply it needs for as long as the outage lasts.
Even though a generator is a safe piece of equipment, users must take the proper safety precautions. Some safety tips when using your generator for an extended period to consider include:
Read Operating Manual Before Using
Some users believe that all generators are alike. While they all may perform a similar task in providing power during an outage, many of them have different components. Understanding how these components work together can be crucial for users who intend on running their generators for a longer period. Before operating your generator, make sure to read through the manufacturer’s manual to ensure your generator can handle extended hours of use.
Never Refuel the Generator While Running
Power outages can sometimes last a while. That means your generator is in it for the long haul and may require refueling. The amount of additional fuel a blackout generator needs depends on its size, the size of its tank, and how much power it generates.
When attempting to refuel your generator, you should never do it mid-operation. Also, users should disconnect the generator from the power grid before refueling. You may wish to have a portable fire extinguisher on hand for extra precaution.
Verify Your Generator’s Maximum Power Load
Depending on your household, your generator may be tasked with producing enough power to supply a variety of appliances and other electronics. If you are going to operate your generator for an extended time during a severe blackout, you should verify its maximum power load. Doing so can save your generator from malfunctioning at inconvenient times.
Try To Keep Your Generator Dry
If the power is down due to a storm, a fair amount of water may be present near your generator. It is important to try and keep your generator dry, as flooding can severely hinder its ability to operate.
Generators at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc.
To help clients prepare for the unexpected, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. offers a line of reliable and efficient generators. With an emphasis on quality, we offer a wide range of the most popular generator models. Committed to our clients, the knowledgeable professionals at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. can help customers select the correct product for their property, whether it is a residential or commercial generator.
Generators are intended to provide power in a crisis, making reliability key. Routine maintenance is essential to ensure generators are prepared to run for extended hours during a severe blackout. At Corbin Electrical Services, Inc., our extensive generator maintenance services involve the following:
- Inspecting the generator to detect any signs of damage
- Changing engine oil and filter if needed
- Checking the air filter and replace it if damaged or dirty
- Inspecting the spark plug for wear or damage, replacing it if needed
- Ensuring all bolts are tightly secured
- Properly cleaning all electrical connections
- Looking for any leaks and making repairs
- Performing necessary tests to ensure the generator is working correctly
Homeowners and business owners located throughout the New Jersey area who desire added peace of mind about their energy resources should consider adding a reliable blackout generator from Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
JCP&L High-Voltage Substation Outage Reported In Neptune
NEPTUNE, NJ — At about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, a JCP&L high-voltage substation in Neptune went out, causing outages in satellite substations, a company spokesman said.
By 6 p.m. power was restored in seven satellite substations, Chris Hoenig, the spokesman said.
But customers in eastern and northern Monmouth County would have been affected. Hoenig did not have an estimate on the number of customers affected.
There is no cause known yet for the main substation outage, he said, which is still being repaired.
He said the satellite substations were restored within 40 minutes of the main outage.
Patch will update the information as the company updates the situation.
The article JCP&L High-Voltage Substation Outage Reported In Neptune appeared first on Asbury Park Patch.
What the EV Charging Action Plan Means for Us
Many agree the future of transportation is electric, including President Biden. In an effort to drive American leadership toward the concept of clean cars, the President of the United States has set a goal of 50% of electric vehicle sale shares in the U.S. by 2030.
To prepare for this unprecedented wave of electric vehicles, the Biden-Harris Administration released the EV Charging Action Plan, outlining the necessary steps being taken to develop and deploy electric vehicle chargers in American communities across the country. In this blog, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. dives deeper into the major points outlined in the EV Charging Action Plan and what it all means for the average consumer.
Main Points of the Action Plan
The electric car future is cleaner, more equitable, and more affordable. The Biden-Harris Administration is making the necessary steps to establish 500,000 electric vehicle chargers, ensuring Americans have sufficient access for both local and long-distance trips. The main points of the action plan focus on the following:
New Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
A joint office has been created, bringing together the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation to ensure the agencies can successfully work together in implementing the EV charging network. This new joint office will serve as a contact point for states, communities, industry, labor, and consumer groups with EV charging questions and related topics.
Stakeholder Input
Stakeholder meetings will be held addressing topics including:
- Partnerships with state and local government
- Domestic manufacturing
- Equity and environmental justice
- Civil rights
- Partnering with tribal communities
- Maximizing environmental benefits
Guidance and Standards for States and Cities
Standards and guidelines will be published for states and cities on how to deploy EV charging stations strategically, with a goal to build out a national network along the highway system. This guidance will examine where current charging stations are located, as well as where they are most needed.
Working Closely with Domestic Manufacturers
To get a better understanding of the current infrastructure and to learn ways it can be improved, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy are working directly with manufacturers and automakers to understand what domestic sourcing is currently available along with predictions for the future.
What It All Means
Currently, the network of over 100,000 public chargers operates with various plug types, payment options, hardware hookups, and data availability. The EV Charging Action Plan is designed to eliminate such discrepancies, creating a more uniform approach to electric vehicle charging. Its purpose is to create greater convenience for consumers and provide increased confidence in the EV industry.
Additionally, the federal programs listed in the EV Charging Action Plan are intended to help encourage added private sector investments and roll out a national network of chargers, which are user-friendly, cost-effective, and financially sustainable.
EV Chargers from Corbin Electrical Services, Inc.
Even with the national rollout of over 500,000 electric car chargers, there will still be a need for conveniently located chargers. There is no location more convenient than at home. Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. provides electric car charger installation for customers throughout New Jersey. Our qualified installation team has the knowledge and expertise to safely install an electric vehicle charger in a customer’s garage, complete with a dedicated 240-volt line. Choosing to have your own EV car charger installed at your home can provide a variety of benefits, including:
- Less expensive: Because you are relying on your home’s electricity, opting to have an electric car charger installed at your home can be less expensive when compared to charging stations throughout the community.
- More predictable: With an at-home car charger, there is no threat of waiting in line to get your electric vehicle recharged.
- Increase property value: As the entire country begins to make the transition to an all-electric vehicle network, having a charger at home can potentially increase the property value.
- Tax incentives: The state of New Jersey offers a residential federal tax credit for residents who purchase an EV charger and have it installed in their homes.
Contact us today to learn more about our work and the reasons why you should consider having an EV charger installed at your home by experts at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc.
Corbin Electrical Services – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
Businesses that Benefit Most from Commercial Generators
The commercial generator is an essential aspect for multiple companies across several industries. Having an on-site generator can be a lifesaver amidst power outages or blackouts. Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. supplies commercial generators to businesses throughout New Jersey and here describes which organizations will find this equipment most advantageous to their daily operations.
Which Business Should Consider a Commercial Generator?
From food to healthcare, businesses in many sectors should consider investing in a generator to safeguard their electrical power and performance. These systems also help decrease the chances of long-term electrical outages. The following are some specific industries that often rely on commercial generators for power:
Medical and Health Facilities
Power access is fundamental at medical and healthcare facilities. As power grids age in the United States and fail against increasingly severe weather, it is critical that medical buildings, such as hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, and emergency response centers have a commercial generator for reliable power, 24/7.
Medical practitioners depend on resuscitators, X-ray machines, and lights to take care of their patients, and all these tools require electricity. A permanent generator can prevent any gaps in power access.
Food and Beverage Facilities and Factories
No one likes spoiled food or losing money. However, when a power outage hits a restaurant, food processing plant, or even a corner store, these could be adverse effects. Billions of dollars in perishable food and beverages, sales, and productivity are lost when food and agriculture facilities lose power, even for a short time.
These industries can benefit significantly from permanent generators. Some government agencies even recommend that restaurants install a commercial generator to prevent catastrophic spoilage during an outage.
Heavy Industry Factories
Factories can quickly lose millions of dollars in productivity when their power goes out. In addition, factory power outages can cause major health problems for employees on-site and in surrounding communities. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that about 240 chemical-related incidents occurred in the United States due to factory power outages in the year 2000.
A single situation in Louisiana left 29 employees with chemical injuries during the start-up phase of an unexpected electrical outage. In California, nearly 100 community members had to seek medical attention when another chemical factory rebooted after a rolling blackout. On-site commercial generators provide default energy and electricity to lessen these health risks.
Commercial Properties
Commercial properties, from condominiums to offices and megastores, can greatly benefit from an on-site generator. Tenants living and working in these spaces require 24/7 energy and air quality control. Generators provide this reliable service and peace of mind in case of inclement weather or natural disaster. They also enhance a property owner’s reputation for maintaining their buildings and protecting their investments.
Mass Transit
Increasingly, climate change is creating severe and volatile weather patterns. Mass transit hubs and stations, such as airports, and bus and train stations, are some of the first facilities affected by power outages caused by major storms and natural disasters.
As a result, permanent generators are becoming critical to public transit, especially air operations. Without generators at these transportation hubs, thousands of people can become stuck or stranded, affecting everything from their business to personal appointments. In addition, bus and train terminals are becoming more dependent on electric vehicles and also need a strong electrical backup when the power goes out.
Ask Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. about Commercial Generators
If you think your business could benefit from having a commercial generator, turn to Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. for assistance. We have over 40 years of experience installing and maintaining permanent commercial generators for a wide range of organizations and industries throughout New Jersey. We carry a full line of Generac electrical generators and also offer additional services, such as generator maintenance. For more information about how your business can benefit from an on-site generator, or learn more about other services we offer, simply contact us today.
Corbin Electrical Services – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
Why Use a Home Standby Generator instead of a Portable Generator?
A generator is a highly convenient asset for any homeowner. Whether you work from home or enjoy the peace of mind that continuous power brings, this equipment can keep your house running smoothly. But should you buy a portable generator or a standby generator? Here, Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. discusses the differences between the two and why having a reliable home standby generator is best.
Portable Generator Pros and Cons
At a glance, a portable generator may sound great for a variety of applications on the job and on your property. They provide temporary, on-the-go power on an as-needed basis. Compact generators with wheels are easy to take with you wherever you need power, and they’re often cheaper to buy and install. Many models have outlets, so you can expand their reach by connecting an extension cord. These models are ideal for the following purposes and others:
- Special events and other recreational activities
- Disaster preparedness for unforeseen circumstances
- Tailgating at sports facilities
- Camping in the great outdoors
- Construction sites
Before purchasing, consumers must first consider the long-term value of a prospective generator. Will it be cost-efficient to run for extended periods, if needed? Those looking for full-home support may find a more permanent solution to be the better option. A few disadvantages of a portable generator include:
- Fuel: Many portable generators require gasoline, which adds to the cost of usage in the long run.
- Sound: Portable generators can be quite noisy.
- Power: Many models produce less power than standby models, which may not be ideal for a household.
- Safety: Users must keep safety in mind at all times – it’s best to run a portable generator outdoors and at least 20 ft. away from the home.
- Weather: Since many power outages happen in inclement weather, you’ll likely need to shield your generator in a storm with a durable canopy or cover.
Home Standby Generators
While residential generators may seem like interchangeable power sources, there’s a clear frontrunner for whole-house power. Home standby generators, or stationary generators, are a permanent fixture on your property. They’re designed to automatically kick on when the electricity goes out, creating a seamless power experience. You don’t have to worry about setting up or fueling up – it’s always at the ready when you need it most. Some of the advantages of a home standby generator include:
- Reliable performance: Standby generators are connected directly to the gas line on your property, so they can operate continuously for days or weeks at a time.
- Automatic connectivity: You don’t have to waste time managing manual connections.
- Power output: More powerful than portable options, these models provide automatic backup power to either the whole house or only the essential parts of your home.
- Comfort: Standby generators are powerful enough to run HVAC systems, so your household feels comfortable in any weather.
It’s also worth noting that partnering with a professional generator installer can help you get the most out of your investment. Companies like Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. work with dependable brands like Generac. They also offer expert generator maintenance and repair services so that your equipment performs well long term.
Do You Work from Home?
Residential generators offer a host of benefits for homeowners and families – but what about professionals? Many workforces operate remotely or on hybrid schedules, making it more important than ever to have reliable power in the home. Having a backup power source on your property means less unnecessary downtime – no matter what Mother Nature has in store.
If you work remotely in your home office throughout the week, a reliable generator helps ensure you can continually deliver to your clients and superiors. When a power outage occurs, simply wait for your generator to turn on and get back to business. What’s more, many modern generators have insulated, weatherproof housing that allows them to run relatively quietly, so you can maintain a peaceful work environment.
Find a Generator for Your Home
At Corbin Electrical Services, Inc., our team is dedicated to helping customers across New Jersey select the ideal generators for their property. We offer continued service after installation, including 24/7 monitoring via our virtual technicians, as well as a generator referral program for additional savings. For more information about installing a home standby generator, contact us today.
Corbin Electrical Services – “We Generate Peace of Mind”
A summer of blackouts? Wheezing power grid leaves states at risk.
Why the grid could buckle in large areas of the country as temperatures rise
The nation’s power grid is under stress like never before, with regulators warning that the kind of rolling outages that are now familiar to California and Texas could be far more widespread as hot summer weather arrives.
A large swath of the Midwest that has enjoyed stable electricity for decades is now wrestling with forecasts that it lacks the power needed to get through a heat wave. The regional grid is short the amount of energy needed to power 3.7 million homes.
New Mexico’s attorney general is preparing for “worst case scenarios” after a regional utility warned of possible blackouts. North Dakota regulators advised the state to be ready for rolling outages, Arkansas officials are preparing emergency energy conservation measures, and power companies in Arizona are already sounding alarms about next year.
While America’s power grid has been showing signs of distress for years, the sudden warnings have surprised even those who were sounding an alarm. That’s because extreme weather precipitated by climate change and the early retirement of fossil fuel plants has accelerated the destabilization of the grid — a fragile collection of transfer stations and transmission lines already challenged by a lack of investment.
The situation has unnerved energy experts, who caution an unstable grid could set back plans to move rapidly toward a climate-friendlier economy. The plans rely heavily on most of the nation shifting to electric vehicles and plug-in home appliances such as stoves and water heaters, which will increase demands on the power system.
“We’ve been issuing warnings about the grid for a number of years,” said Mark Denzler, chief executive of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “But the swiftness with which this has happened has caught people by surprise. They didn’t think we would be having these issues for a couple of years.” In the event of outages, he said, heavy industrial users are the most likely to experience disruption, as utilities work to avoid cutting off electricity to residences in periods of extreme heat or cold.
The worries of rolling blackouts threaten to compound the stress and anxiety of the shaky economy, the enduring pandemic and energy shortages exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. And it has led to warnings in unexpected places.
Southern Illinois is among the most vulnerable places in the country heading into the summer, according to a newly published forecast by the North American Electric Reliability Corp., a regulatory authority that monitors risks to the grid.
The area, along with large parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and other states linked to the regional grid, has been put on notice in the forecast that it is facing a “high risk of energy emergencies during peak summer conditions.” A major reason is that some of the coal plants that regulators assumed would keep running for another year or two are instead coming offline. Some plant operators are choosing to shut down rather than invest in upgrades for coal plants that do not fit with states’ and the federal government’s long-term goals for clean energy.
“We are seeing these retirements occur at a faster pace than expected,” said Jim Robb, chief executive of the regulatory authority. “The economics aren’t great, so coal plant operators are saying ‘uncle.’”
As demand across the Midwest is increasing, the amount of power available to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator grid that services a large swath of it has dropped, leading regulators to warn that outages could accompany extreme summer weather.
Retiring coal plants are just one of many challenges putting unprecedented stress on the nation’s electricity network.
“It’s a soup of things,” Robb said. “The grid is transforming. We are putting on a lot of new resources and learning how they behave.” That is compounded, Robb said, by prolonged stretches of extreme weather, the inability of utilities to get badly needed transmission lines built as they wrestle with land-use disputes, and difficulties delivering natural gas supplies to the power plants that are a crucial backstop to wind and solar energy when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing.
Some political leaders and utilities in the Midwest are assuring residents that their connections to neighboring grids can provide a backup of energy to avoid blackouts if the Midcontinent system gets overstressed. But energy experts warn those power transfers may not be available in the event of a prolonged heat wave that stretches across many states, as California learned when part of its grid became overwhelmed in the summer of 2020.
“They were counting on transfers,” Robb said. “But it was hot in Seattle, in Vancouver, in Portland. It was hot everywhere. Nobody had extra power to give.”
California has already put its residents on notice that a similar scenario could play out again this summer. State forecasts show that during peak summer periods, California will be short about the amount of electricity it takes to power 1.3 million homes.
How extreme heat is straining California’s electrical grid
Western and Southwestern states are also confronting fresh challenges with their power supply as they head into summer. Among the biggest is a drought already disrupting the hydroelectricity systems that are key to delivering reliable power to large areas of North America. In the event that extreme heat pushes up demand in the West again this summer, a hydroelectricity shortage threatens energy emergencies across the Western Interconnection grid, which serves 80 million people across 14 states and parts of Canada and Mexico. Parched rivers and reservoirs threaten to leave inadequate water flowing through the plants.
Drought is also a worry at nuclear and fossil fuel plants, where low water levels can impede the cooling process that is essential to consistent power generation.
“We are in uncharted territory with respect to water,” said Michael Wara, an energy scholar at Stanford University. “It has all kinds of implications.”
Texas, meanwhile, is still struggling to shore up an embattled power system that the state runs independently of the national grid. The state’s challenge was underscored in May — a relatively temperate month in Texas — when energy officials urged consumers to turn their thermostats up to 78 degrees and avoid the use of large household appliances during a brief period of unseasonably warm weather.
“For such a free-market, capitalist-oriented state, you have to see the irony in this,” said Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston. “The last time I was told to turn my thermostat up to 78 degrees it was by Jimmy Carter.”
Drought in Texas threatens to inhibit the operation of steam-generated, or thermal, power plants, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp., potentially triggering power shortages in the event of extreme heat.
“We’ve let our infrastructure decay to the point where we have these failures,” Hirs said. “Somebody has to stand up and start doing something. We have not even addressed what will happen to the grid when every two-car family switches to one plug-in Ford F150 [pickup truck] and one plug-in passenger car. The grid can’t even handle what we have now.”
Plug-in cars are the future. The grid isn’t ready.
The shift to wind and solar power is playing a role in the stability issues, but there is intense debate over whether the underlying problem is that the transition is happening too quickly or too slowly.
“Everybody has a good sense of where we want to go in terms of decarbonizing the fleet,” Midcontinent chief executive John Bear said during a press event hosted by the U.S. Energy Association. “We are moving in that direction. Unfortunately, we are moving in that direction quite quickly and I am worried about the transition.” He said the storage technologies needed to balance deployment of wind and solar energy are still in development, while at the same time the coal and gas plants that can provide more consistent power are either coming offline or not operating as reliably as they once did because their owners are reluctant to invest in upgrades.
But many other energy experts argue that getting reliable backup power in place to facilitate the transition is not a matter of waiting for new technology, but making the proper investments now.
“The problem is there is nobody in charge,” said M. Granger Morgan, a professor of engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. The national power grid, he said, is a patchwork of regional systems designed to be guided by market demand in each area. Federal regulators have limited authority over it, and many states have constrained their own power to manage energy resources as part of a deregulation push that took hold in the 1990s.
“We don’t have the national regulatory arrangements and incentives in place to implement this energy transition in a coherent and rapid-enough manner,” Granger said. Energy experts point to transmission lines as an area in which the current system is failing. They are sorely needed to bring power generated at solar and wind farms in rural locations across state lines to energy-thirsty cities. But state regulators have been slow to approve them amid protests from property owners who don’t want the power lines on their land.
The problem is high on the list of priorities at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is working on rules intended to help clear the path for more lines to get built.
Manufacturers in Illinois have been worrying about all of these issues around the grid for some time. Now they face a more immediate challenge: making it through the summer.
“We’re supportive of a cleaner, greener future, but we need to have proper on- and off-ramps,” Denzler said.
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