Shorting The Grid
by Meredith Angwin
Shorting the Grid, The Hidden Fragility of Our Electric Grid is an exposé of the insider-ruled practices of the “deregulated” areas of the United States electric grid. The grid in these areas is managed by a regional transmission organization (RTO). Within these organizations, no group is responsible or accountable for grid reliability. The RTO areas have higher retail electricity prices, no way for ordinary citizens to influence decisions, and a more fragile grid. Using the rules and history of the New England grid as an example, the book shows how RTO areas are moving steadily to a future of “rolling blackouts” where the grid operator deliberately cuts power to one section of the grid after another.
Shorting the Grid will show you the hidden problems caused by lack of accountability in grid governance. Americans need to pay attention to how the grid is managed, and not be fooled by simplistic assurances of market forces, all-renewable mandates, endless cheap natural gas, and distributed generation. Hopeful speeches will not keep the lights on. If you assume that the lights will go on when you flip a switch, you need to read this book.
“An eye-opening exposé of our grid’s vulnerabilities. The “deregulated” grid is highly political, secretive, overly complex, and unable to meet public needs like reliability, affordability, and low pollution. If you take for granted that the lights go on when you flip a switch, this book may blow your mind. ”
— Joshua S. Goldstein, author of A Bright Future:
How Some Countries Have Solved Climate Change and the Rest Can Follow
“Reading Angwin’s book is like chatting with an expert who helps you understand the underlying engineering, finances, and policies creating the risks. Her narrative moves back and forth between insightful overviews and specific examples. The book covers many grid attributes, suggesting realistic conclusions without ideological advocacy.” — Dr. Robert Hargraves, Author of Thorium, Energy Cheaper than Coal
and co-founder of ThorCon Power
Other Books from Carnot Communications
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Award-winning author Meredith Joan Angwin guides you in your pro-nuclear advocacy, from a day when you are quietly typing at your computer to the day when you might take the microphone in front of a legislative committee.
The book contains anecdotes, examples and insights, both from the author and from many other nuclear advocates. It will inspire and support your work toward a clean energy future.
People who appreciate the environmental, financial and reliability advantages of nuclear power are often unsure about they can show their support.
Voices for Vermont Yankee makes an important contribution toward balancing the debate about Vermont’s energy future. The book records the voices of ordinary citizens who are in favor of continuing operation of Vermont’s only nuclear power plant.
At recent Vermont Public Service Board hearings, local people made statements in favor of continuing the operation of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Voices for Vermont Yankee quotes 21 of these statements and contains pictures of the people and the hearing. Professors, housewives, plant employees, farmers, and business people all spoke to support Vermont Yankee.
Well-organized groups that oppose Vermont Yankee have dominated the news. In this book, the combined voices of ordinary citizens make a powerful statement.