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The solution to those things is long-range transmission capability and an adaptive grid. The wind is always blowing somewhere, the sun is always shining somewh

The solution to those things is long-range transmission capability and an adaptive grid. The wind is always blowing somewhere, the sun is always shining somewhere, and at least one of those somewheres will have excess in a properly built out grid. None of that is beyond our capability, the issue is getting the will and dollars to build it. The way it's currently going we're organically building small clumps here and there where capital is available with no overall direction. That can work in the long run, but it means the build-up period will be marked with unequal outcomes by region and gluts/shortages.

worrycue 5y ago
Where the sun is shining/wind is blowing might be too far away. There are limits to how far we can draw power from technically, economically, and politically. Also other regions need power too so you would be straining their supply - unless you have, again, huge excess in generation capacity.
- pfdietz 5y ago
  The cost of a simple cycle gas turbine power plant is maybe 4% of the cost of a new nuclear power plant (and combined cycle just 10%), so backing up the entire grid with turbine capacity isn't that expensive. You need fuel for those turbines, but that's where hydrogen comes in.
  - pfdietz 5y ago
    To clarify: I meant cost per unit of rated power output.
_8j50 5y ago
I completley agree. Being able to designate remote arid locations for power generation and being able to transmit that power elsewhere will have a huge impact on society and the environment. My crazy idea is high power lasers and satellites reflecting the sun (magnified beam/laser for minimal night sky disruption??) to the other side of the planet. I wish I had the right education to come up with good ideas, if it was up to me there would be arrays of satellites that convert the sun's light to laser or just a focused beam and literally boil the ocean to generate power! (Good thing there are smarter people working in these problems)

worrycue 5y ago

Where the sun is shining/wind is blowing might be too far away. There are limits to how far we can draw power from technically, economically, and politically. Also other regions need power too so you would be straining their supply - unless you have, again, huge excess in generation capacity.

pfdietz 5y ago
The cost of a simple cycle gas turbine power plant is maybe 4% of the cost of a new nuclear power plant (and combined cycle just 10%), so backing up the entire grid with turbine capacity isn't that expensive. You need fuel for those turbines, but that's where hydrogen comes in.
- pfdietz 5y ago
  To clarify: I meant cost per unit of rated power output.

_8j50 5y ago

I completley agree. Being able to designate remote arid locations for power generation and being able to transmit that power elsewhere will have a huge impact on society and the environment. My crazy idea is high power lasers and satellites reflecting the sun (magnified beam/laser for minimal night sky disruption??) to the other side of the planet. I wish I had the right education to come up with good ideas, if it was up to me there would be arrays of satellites that convert the sun's light to laser or just a focused beam and literally boil the ocean to generate power! (Good thing there are smarter people working in these problems)