How Tesla batteries will change the wiring layout in homes

Tesla's battery- making battery, which allows it to accumulate energy and give it away to domestic consumers as a matter of necessity raises many questions. Is it really beneficial to homeowners , and whether they need it at all. But for those who find this interesting, electrical systems expert Paul Self shares his thoughts on this topic in his blog.

At the very least, those lucky enough to build their house in very sunny places, such as California and others like it, can accumulate solar energy during the day and then consume it as needed. Or it may happen that nightly tariffs are very different from daytime due to the fact that nightly consumption is much less than daytime, and this moment somehow the energy companies want to smooth out. Then you can pump cheap energy at night and use it during the day.
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One way or another, the question arises with the wiring and consumers. Historically, we all have long used the alternating current voltage of 220-240 V in most countries of the world, or 100-120 V in the Americas, where the metric system is also not loved. The frequency of the current is usually 50-60 Hz.



But the bottom line is that any alternative energy sources, be it solar panels, wind turbines, or even a personal hydroelectric station based on the nearest stream, like the home battery itself, give out a constant current. If we take the currently popular solar panels, they give out a direct current (tens of volts). It enters the battery, and then before using it it is necessary to convert it into a high-voltage alternating current, which results in at least 20% energy loss, depending on the converter.



The irony is that most modern devices again convert current from AC back to DC. Smartphones, tablets, computers, laptops, televisions, refrigerators, set-top boxes, receivers - these devices do not need high-voltage alternating current. Even light bulbs work much better on a current of 12 V, for which they have to install a transformer. And this transformation again brings another 20% loss of energy.

Total we have 100 * 0.8 * 0.8 = 64% of the initial energy. Wait a minute - this is what, just 2/3? Yep Yes, of course, air conditioners, water heaters and hotplates will not convert current to 12V DC. But if you decided to get off the power company’s needles, and the sun’s energy in your area is enough, it’s better to heat the water in the solar collector and cook on gas.

In general, it turns out that in order to increase efficiency, it is necessary not only to pile up the solar battery on the roof, but to put a couple of batteries in the garage. It is necessary to alter the wiring so that all consumers, content with direct current, receive from the batteries immediately the current that they need.