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A desal plant is a useful thing and can be run around the clock off traditional energy sources. The "free energy" hours would help lower the costs. I can even
by citrablue 8y ago
A desal plant is a useful thing and can be run around the clock off traditional energy sources. The "free energy" hours would help lower the costs.
I can even imagine a SETI-like application where people who over-generate power are able to donate it to causes of their preference...
- roenxi 8y agoBut if you are using traditional energy sources to run it all the time, it is no longer 'solving' the problem of burning off excess energy during peak renewable times. Someone is having to build a lot of highly wasteful, redundant infrastructure.
- westurner 8y agoRational cryptocurrency mining firms can use the excess (unstorable) energy by converting it back to money (while the sun shines and the wind blows). Money > Energy > Money > Someone is having to build a lot of highly wasteful, redundant infrastructure. We're nowhere near having the energy infrastructure necessary to support everyone having an electric vehicle yet. Energy storage is key to maximizing returns from renewables and minimizing irreversible environmental damage.