Reliable means redundant

Practical engineering presented this video about the Hawaiian islands power grid. Like a lot of questions of the form: Why can’t we just… the answer is, it’s complicated.

Host Grady Hillhouse offers a new definition that helps to frame the issue (Words matter!).

Instead of talking about reliable power, talk about redundant power. If we frame things this way it sounds a lot better, and things that sound good are perceived as more true. Redundant power needs a rebranding. Rather than think about waste, the people of Hawaii can think of it as reliable.