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I hope we can find an efficient way to store solar energy. That will solve many problems with solar power generation. Lithium ion batteries can only do so much
by kumarvvr 9y ago
I hope we can find an efficient way to store solar energy. That will solve many problems with solar power generation.
Lithium ion batteries can only do so much. On a global scale, they are too small to have a meaningful impact.
- ghouse 9y agoThey already have a meaningful impact today in the eastern US. In the PJM RTO, batteries (and fly wheels) perform frequency regulation (discussed elsewhere in these comments).
- dragontamer 9y agoFrequency regulation is measured in minutes of storage though, not hours. LiIon / Flywheels are great to store minutes of energy cheaply. In effect, LiIon / Flywheels are hundreds-of-MW-hrs size at best. But unfortunately, the sun disappears for hours. A bigger solution is needed. Pumped hydro works for sure, but even at GW-hr scale (and yes, there are pumped-hydro plants at GW-hr size), its not going to be enough.