3 ms·

> Photovoltaics do not contribute to inertia. This is the Newtonian concept that ensures instantaneous voltage stability separate from any active demand/generat

> Photovoltaics do not contribute to inertia. This is the Newtonian concept that ensures instantaneous voltage stability separate from any active demand/generation management functions. Wait what, Newton's inertia was about physical objects, not voltage stability? You talking base vs peak demand or what?

phyzome 4y ago
That voltage stability is electromagnetically coupled to huge chunks of spinning iron. That's your inertia. It buffers voltage spikes. Solar, and surprisingly enough wind as well, do not contribute to this stability. It's one of the big challenges we need to figure out.
- phyzome 4y ago
  Actually, this is something I'm not clear on: Why can't we just add free-spinning "generators" to the grid to contribute inertia?
  - ncmncm 4y ago
    Costs money. And, unnecessary.
    - phyzome 4y ago
      It's pretty clearly necessary to solve. And any kind of energy generation costs money. So I don't think that, unqualified, those are good reasons.
      - ncmncm 4y ago
        Free-spinning wheels generate no energy. Electronics do the job much cheaper.
samatman 4y ago
The rotors of electrical generators are physical objects, with inertia.