Some of these devices have even been known to look for other similar devices within WiFi range, and phone home that way (i.e., send analytics data via a neighbor’s connected TV as a proxy).

Ummm, wut? I’m going to need some quality sources to back this claim up.

Value Valve

That makes a lot more sense than sea water and fresh water.

Friggin hell. Thanks.

I think the article author is completely confused and doesn’t understand what’s happening. There are hints of what’s happening in this paragraph.

Fresh water—or treated wastewater—is placed on one side of a membrane. On the other side is seawater, made even saltier by concentrating leftover brine from a desalination process. The difference in saltiness pulls the fresh water across the membrane, increasing the pressure on the saltwater side. That pressure is then used to drive a turbine, generating electricity.

I don’t think any fresh water is being used. I think what’s actually happening is…

Very salty wastewater (from the desalinization plant) is placed on one side of a membrane. On the other side is seawater. The difference in saltiness pulls the wastewater across the membrane, increasing the pressure on the saltwater side (or maybe the other way around). That pressure is then used to drive a turbine, generating electricity. The waste then is just water that’s saltier than sea water, but less salty than what came from the desalinization plant.

So, then why are you confused about what’s using power at night?

Do you go to bed at sunset?
Do you turn off your heat at sunset in the winter? Maybe you do, but most people don’t.

Also, most people with an electric car and a garage to park it can just use a cheap Level 1 charger to trickle charge it whenever it’s in the garage and always have plenty of range for their commute and errands. This means all of those cars are charging. … at night while the owner sleeps.

What’s on the other side of that wall? Maybe that room could use some extra (secret/hidden?) storage.