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The main issue with our grid is mostly that we lack the capacity to transport the power. In the past power generation and heavy power consumption were typically
by spockz 4y ago
The main issue with our grid is mostly that we lack the capacity to transport the power. In the past power generation and heavy power consumption were typically relatively co-located. Now, with wide spread energy production with solar panels the energy is coming from everywhere and this power needs to be transported to where it is consumed.
Moreover, in order not to overload the grid other power generators need to scale down, even if those would be closer.
- ryanmarsh 4y agoThis is not true. Enron was famous (notorious) for leveraging the, then, capacity of long distance interconnects to move power from far off generation capacity to advantageously priced markets. Just take a look at the sheer size of CalISO, MISO, and ERCOT. You could build solar anywhere and wheel it to where it’s needed. That’s not the long pole in the tent (right now).
- spockz 4y agoMy reply was to someone talking about the grid in the Netherlands. That was what “our grid” referenced. Furthermore, we have three levels of grid. The very high voltage, highways, the regional high voltage, aNd the local grid. Each have their own challenges. For Solar it is mostly the local grid that gets overloaded. On my connection I’m hitting 250V on sunny days instead of the standard 230.
- ryanmarsh 4y agoAll fair points. I assumed utility scale solar in the US.