This technology is one answer to an often-heard criticism (often presented with dubious motivation). The criticism is that storing solar or wind energy for when

This technology is one answer to an often-heard criticism (often presented with dubious motivation). The criticism is that storing solar or wind energy for when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing is a problem with renewables. However, if one considers intelligent grid balancing, solar-thermal towers, increasingly better battery technology, and this kind of solar-to-hydrocarbon conversion you have plenty of places to put excess renewable power generation.