Battery technology has already made our lives more portable and convenient. From the disposable alkalines you used to use to power your Walkman to the modern rechargeable batteries in your cell phone and laptop, they allow us to take our work, entertainment and communication systems on the go. But batteries might have an even grander destiny: they could revolutionize the way we generate and use energy all throughout the home. Read on for a glimpse into our battery-powered future.

From Electric Cars to Your Living Room

Leading the charge into the brave new world of batteries is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors. Musk recently launched Tesla Energy, a suite of batteries designed to facilitate flexibility for consumers and ultimately pave the way to an energy grid that doesn't rely on fossil fuels.

"Our goal," Musk said at a press conference, "is to fundamentally change the way the world uses energy."

Tesla used its expertise in designing batteries for electric cars to make batteries bigger and more powerful. The company’s new lithium-ion batteries are optimized to enable “homes, business, and utilities to store sustainable and renewable energy to manage power demand, provide backup power and increase grid resilience,” the company promises.

Energy at Any Time of Day

Because Tesla’s new battery technology allows residential and business users to store electricity until it’s needed, it creates the opportunity to purchase electricity during off-peak time, easing the stress on our electrical grid. It also helps users get more out of sustainable but intermittent fuel sources like wind and solar.

If the technology catches on, consumers can take better advantage of utility time-of-day pricing. Some utilities in North America sell electricity at cheaper rates during nights and weekends, when there is less demand. A homeowner could therefore charge a battery at night and use it during the day, which saves money for them and reduces the generation cost for the utility company by smoothing out the demand.

Furthermore, as solar and wind technologies become cheaper and more viable, the ability to store their output means that they can further cut into the market share of fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, reducing human impact on climate change.

Keep the Lights On and the TV Running

Another advantage of the enhanced storage potential is that homeowners will still have power in the event of a blackout or other disruption to the power grid. And people who want to go off the grid entirely with solar energy can do it without worrying about running out of power during the night.

The batteries are expensive, starting at $3,000 for residential models. If the program takes off, the price should fall and ever-better technologies will be developed to improve storage, capacity, transmission and other specifications.

For now, the Tesla batteries look like a useful, if expensive, addition to the energy-conscious homeowner's arsenal. If prices do continue to fall, however, the batteries could transform into something truly revolutionary.

When you think about homes that rely on solar energy, you may think of rustic cabins that live in a very primitive fashion. That may have been the case 20 years ago, but today, some of the most luxurious homes are run off of solar power. There have been plenty of innovations and upgrades made to the world of solar energy and homeowners across the country are taking advantage. You don’t have to go all in if you don’t want. That is the beauty of solar energy. Your electrician in California can answer questions you may have about how you can make solar energy a part of your home. The team at The Electric Connection is well versed in the latest technology and can provide you with the information you need.

You have several options. The first and probably the most popular is to remain connected to the power grid. Basically, you use the solar energy you have and when it is depleted, your home relies on the main power grid or the electricity from the electric company. Even this small change can result in a great deal of energy savings in California homes and businesses. Every little bit matters and using solar power to run your home during the day and relying on the power grid when there is very little demand at night is an excellent choice.

You can choose to rely completely on solar power if you want. This will require the installation of a solar panel system that can run you upwards of $20,000 depending on the size of your home and your electric demands. Even though it is a big initial investment, there are tax breaks and you won’t be paying a monthly electric bill so it kind of balances out.

If you would just like to dabble a bit in alternative energy, consider starting with a solar powered water heater. This one change can save you a great deal of money on your electric bill. Again, every little bit helps. Give The Electric Connection a call today to take your first step into the world of solar power.

These LED lights attach easily to the front and rear of your bike. The white light clips to the front break cables to help you see where you’re going, and signal to others that you’re heading their way. The red light clips to your seat rails, brightly marking your bike’s rear. They both operate in steady beam and continuous flash modes, visible from up to a mile away. They’re weather resistant and have a long battery life.

2. Twist On Bike Lights