3 ms·

Would be amazing if we could cover baseload power with nuclear/hydro and then use zero marginal grid cost solar for fuel synthesis.

• schainks 4y ago
  I do like where this is going! Grid demand fluctuates during the day by quite a bit. You have to have "peaker" generation above base load to efficiently utilize your grid and respond to dynamic conditions (especially things like equipment failures). Heavy investment in nuclear could create a grid with such cheap energy we can use all the excess capacity for fuel synthesis along with renewables.
  • ncmncm 4y ago
    Each dollar diverted from building renewables + storage into building nukes brings climate catastrophe nearer. Hydro generation sites are used up. We are demolishing dams, nowadays, because the fisheries they displace are way more valuable. (This does not make pumped hydro a bad idea: pumped hydro does not destroy fisheries.)
    • schainks 4y ago
      I think this is a good argument, actually. It has been so surprising to see how quickly renewables have scaled up and built out. In the time you need to build, let's say, 3GW of nuclear, could you realistically build equal or more renewables with the same economics, reliability, and lifespan? I don't think that question has a clear-cut answer, but I think we are edging closer to "yes" by the numbers.