Since the first power station was commissioned in 1882, a simple industrialage mechanical device, the steam valve, has been used to keep our energy grids in balance without the need for storage.

The rules were simple. Exactly the same amount of active power must be generated as is being consumed - a balanced system.

By opening and closing steam valves, and spinning turbines faster or slower, thermal power stations have been able to supply exactly the right amount of power as was being consumed at any given time, thus providing reasonably stable energy grids to forge ahead and build a modern world.

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