Generator Selection and Use for Any Power Grid Failure

Issues with the Aging United States Power Grid and Infrastructure

If you live in the continental United States you have the good fortune of living in the greatest country in the world. The aging power grid is a different story. 

In 2017 US Congress requested a study be completed on the power grid. The study was conducted by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The study found that the grid is a mixture of cyber and physical systems that both have their own vulnerabilities. For example Cyber attacks and malware on one side and hurricanes and earthquakes on the other.

In 2020 the Congressional Budget Office conducted a study named, Enhancing the Security of the North American Electric Grid. Which again found the grid was susceptible and needed improvement.

In 2021 the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine conducted a study named, The Future of Electric Power in the United States. It found the grid had vulnerabilities to natural events and physical and cyber attacks. The grid needed security enhancements such as coordinated responses and early warning systems.

2024-2025 saw additional Federal studies all of which show the grid is aging, has multiple vulnerabilities, and needs vast improvement.  

On 08/26/26 the White House released an announcement on www.whitehouse.gov titled; Fact Sheet: President Donald J Trump Declares a National Emergency to Secure America’s Bulk-Power System. In the release it explains the “unusual and extraordinary foreign threat” to the United States bulk-power systems by utilizing foreign made components instead of US made. 

I pray we never experience state, regional, or country wide outages but, when even the federal government sees the issue, we should definitely be doing what we can to prepare for ourselves!

Choosing the Right Generator(s)

After any grid failure, whether from hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes, or traffic accidents, using a generator to keep your refrigerator and freezer cold until power is restored is a smart choice. Whole house generators and large construction site generators can use upwards of a gallon of fuel per hour. Whereas smaller inverter generators can power your essentials like radios, lights, or refrigerators with far less fuel consumption. Conditions after natural disasters may not allow you to get more gas so a smaller generator may be more beneficial. 

In most scenarios, after the first day in grid down conditions, generators become extra valuable. Thieves will go on the hunt to steal them. Night time is the best time for thieves because there is very little ambient noise and a large generator can be heard from several blocks away. There is less security at night and less chance of being seen. Even the small inverter types can clearly be heard from the roadways around your property. Let us also not forget about your neighbors who failed to prepare themselves who may also now be in the market for one.

Protecting Your Investment

Here are some ways to help mitigate the risks of running a generator(s). 

• Keep your generator in the backyard where it cannot be seen from the road. 

• Lock gates and entryways 

• Park vehicles in the way 

• Lock generators to large items, vehicles, or structures

• Beware of dog signs placed on gates may also help deter looters. 

• Run the generator during the daytime only,

•  Get the fridge or freezer nice and cold while approaching sunset. Turn off the generator at nightfall. DO NOT open the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to run the generator again. A properly insulated appliance will keep the food from spoiling. 

• Keep several gallon jugs or bags of water frozen, transfer them to the refrigerator a little before dark.

• Use alarms for early warning and deterrence 

• Use audible alarms for early warning and notification of intrusion

• The (209 Sentinel Perimeter Alarm ) by Clear Right Tactical is a weatherproof, quick deploy, mechanical option that does not require the use of precious battery power. Keep your batteries for your flashlights.

• Use "Solar generators" AKA "Power stations". These have internal battery packs that can be charged via solar panels or from your main generator. If you charge one of the fast charging models with your generator, it takes about 15 minutes. Then it can run your freezer all night quietly. 

• Lean a solar panel against a privacy fence, put the solar generator under the solar panel. This provides shade for the solar generator, keeps it charged, out of sight and you can run an extension cord out to it to bring silent power into your home!

Remember to Protect Yourself

• NEVER  run a generator inside your home, garage, carport, or even next to your house

• On average more people will be killed every year from generator use after a hurricane than by the hurricane itself

• Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, don’t accidentally kill your family while trying to help them.

• Improper connection can also kill you and your linesmen who are trying to restore your power

Generator thieves are not the only threat after a natural disaster or emergency event. There are always bad people out to do bad things. During any grid down situation people break into homes and businesses knowing that the burglary alarm systems are down. There are also less indications that a residence is occupied when the electricity is off. After a hurricane for example, most people will have their windows and or doors open for air. The following are some ideas to protect yourselves at night;

• Sleep in shifts. Keep one person awake for security

• Lock your doors

• Only keep windows open far enough for air flow but not a human body

• Utilize window locks available from local hardware stores. Or prop a stick above the window to keep it from being opened further

• Keep screens installed on windows and doors

• Install barriers such as bars
• Deploy perimeter alarms such as from the line of 209 Sentinel perimeter alarm devices

Perimeter alarms can be set up inside the home also. Connect the pull string to window screens from the inside, concealing it from view and making it difficult to defeat without moving the screen which would trip the device. Alarms can also be connected to screen doors that are nearly impossible to secure when the main door is left open for air flow. 

In short, get a generator or two for peace of mind. Then get some alarms for peace of mind for your peace of mind.