2 ms·
One of the looming problems as solar/wind power ramps up I don't see discussed much is the loss of system inertia. Grids rely (almost implicitly) on the fact th
by thu2111 7y ago
One of the looming problems as solar/wind power ramps up I don't see discussed much is the loss of system inertia. Grids rely (almost implicitly) on the fact that power comes from big, heavy spinning turbines of various kinds. The sheer weight and inertia of these turbines ends up synchronised together via the grid, and provides stability to it. But solar has no inertia and wind has only tiny turbines, so they don't contribute much either. As system inertia falls that will increase the risk of blackouts. I've seen this problem discussed amongst electrical/grid engineers but I've never seen reference to any solutions.