3 ms·

This is problem that happens in the German/European electrical grid right now, not at some point in future.

• mikeash 9y ago
  Right, but in the context of a world where 30-40% of the grid is solar/wind, it's easy.
  • martinald 9y ago
    It's not. Germany is having to do this right now - hitting 30-40% and it's really expensive.
    • mikeash 9y ago
      Because they apparently didn't anticipate this and now have to retrofit the equipment. If you're building out new stuff, you don't have to retrofit.
      • martinald 9y ago
        Yes but little to no new stuff is getting fitted with this when installed outside of Germany. It significantly puts the price of installs up. You have to dump the power somewhere and it's not cheap/easy to.
  • dfox 9y ago
    I would assume that all-DC grid would happen before that (and solve the issues with grid stability). Extrapolating from the rate at which Europe migrated from 110V AC to 230V AC you are looking at at least 50 years for that to happen.