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Volcanic ash: what ashfall means for home power

Ash is fine, gritty and conductive when wet. Even a light fall can cause flashovers on lines and get into anything that breathes air.

How ash affects the grid

In general terms, ash settling on insulators becomes a problem when it gets damp, because wet ash conducts and can cause flashovers that trip lines. Heavy falls can also break branches and load roofs. Networks may need to wash insulators before restoring supply, and roads covered in ash are slow and dangerous to drive. So ashfall outages can drag on even when the eruption itself is distant.

What it would keep running

  • Fridge and freezer
  • Radio and modem for ash advisories
  • Tank pump on stored clean water
  • Lights during a darkened ash day
  • Air purifier in a closed bedroom

Air intakes and ash

A fuel cell needs oxygen from the air, which means it breathes, and ash is abrasive. How well the air intake filtering copes with ash is not something we can claim yet. It sits with smoke and dust as things the bench and pilot stages need to test. If an ash warning is issued, follow the installer's guidance, which may mean limiting running time or covering intakes while the fuel cell is not needed.

The 30 to 40 kWh battery can carry a careful household for a while on its own without the fuel cell drawing any air at all. That gives you a way to sit out the worst of a fall and run the fuel cell once the air has cleared and the intake has been checked.

How it works →
The H2OME loop: an electrolyser splits water into hydrogen, the hydrogen is stored in a tank for weeks, a fuel cell turns it into electricity for your home, and the water returns to the loop.

Clean-up and water

Ash contaminates roof-collected rainwater, so disconnect downpipes from tanks when a fall is forecast. That also protects the electrolyser's water supply, since its pre-treatment would struggle with ash-laden water. After a fall, clear ash from around the enclosure with a damp approach rather than a dry broom, and never hose ash onto electrical fittings. Wear a proper mask while doing it.

Questions

Should I run the fuel cell during ashfall?

Follow the installer's advice for your site. Where possible, let the battery carry the house during the actual fall and run the fuel cell once the air has cleared. The system is still in development, so ash performance will be confirmed in testing.

Will ash damage the hydrogen store?

The storage itself is sealed and low pressure, 30 bar or less. Ash mainly threatens air intakes, vent outlets and exposed electrical connections. Keep vent outlets clear, check the enclosure after every fall, and have anything that looks clogged inspected before relying on it.

Can I keep charging during ashfall?

If the grid is up, charging uses water from your tank, so make sure that water is clean. Disconnect roof downpipes before ash lands so the tank is not contaminated in the first place.

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