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I dunno, why do you think it looks like they don't have plans for other sources of energy?
by red_trumpet 4y ago
I dunno, why do you think it looks like they don't have plans for other sources of energy?
- martinald 4y agoThere really aren't any other major sources for wind apart from natural gas, at least in Europe. Wind output tends to drop massively in the coldest bits of winter (when demand is highest), and solar output is also very low there. It is also insanely expensive to store energy in batteries for multiple days of low solar/wind output.
- red_trumpet 4y agoBut that is no argument for not using wind energy during the rest of the year. So we don't have to burn as much natural gas, emitting less CO2.
- martinald 4y agoI agree. But let's be clear, in Europe for the forseeable future installing solar & wind basically 'locks in' natural gas as a backup source. Also, the price of the natgas plant will be much higher than otherwise - if it's only getting used 10-20% of the year, as capex and opex will be spread over a far fewer amount of kWhs.
- cedilla 4y agoSolar energy is even competitive in Norway. In Germany, even flat layed panels (i.e. not angled towards the sun, or even on the side of buildings) are viable. Technology marched on. Panels and installation are dirt cheap and solar is highly effective.
- chopin 4y agoInstallation unfortunately is anything but dirt cheap in Germany, at least not on houses. Currently it is hard finding someone willing to do the work as well.