could have significant power outages. Some places are told not to have their maintenance staff work , maintain, or troublshoot any components for fear of accidentally tripping the generating station.

That's the whole deal with these "smart" AC controllers that shut your AC off when power is expensive. It has ZERO to do with saving you money (they want your money) and everything to do with grid stability. When power is expensive.....that's when you WANT your AC.