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Thanks for the thoughtful comment. As for this point: >I think in the next few years we'll see rapid change as solar panels and batteries become cheap enough to

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. As for this point: >I think in the next few years we'll see rapid change as solar panels and batteries become cheap enough to compete with traditional energy on their own terms. I'm unsure how the recent slide in oil prices is effecting the comparative competitiveness of fossils vs. renewables. Not helpful, I imagine.

mikeash 11y ago
When it comes to electricity generation, I don't think oil prices affect it much. Oil isn't cost competitive for electricity as it stands. The fall in natural gas prices is affecting it, since natural gas is competitive for electrical generation. But coal still rules when it comes to cheap electricity, as long as you ignore the externalities of course. I think what's going to happen is that pretty soon, solar plus storage will be price competitive even with coal. Then there will be a big shift. It's unlikely that the price of coal will drop much.