4 ms·

We've learned that war can disrupt the flow of energy. For renewable energies in the U.S., would the U.S. be considered reliant on places like China for the ba

We've learned that war can disrupt the flow of energy. For renewable energies in the U.S., would the U.S. be considered reliant on places like China for the batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, etc?

Kon-Peki 4y ago
I don't know how reliant the US is, but consider that if you buy a solar panel or a wind turbine from China, it produces energy for 10-25 years before needing replacement. Gas, coal, wood pellets, etc. You buy them, you burn them, they're gone. You need new supplies tomorrow.
onlyrealcuzzo 4y ago
Not much renewable energy gets stored in batteries. We'd only be dependent on expanding energy if the manufacturing of key components was happening outside the US. Expanding your energy supply is nowhere near as important as maintaining 50% of your total energy supply (EU fossil fuels). US energy consumption has been close to flat for 20 years.
ocschwar 4y ago
Turbine manufacturers are predominantly Danish (Vestas), German, (Siemens), USA (GE) and Spain (Iberdrola.) I don't have much of a problem with being dependent on energy cooperation from countries that happen to be my military allies. Moreover, turbine part transportation is such a logistical challenge that manufacturers are always trying to set up assembly facilities near their customers. All four of those companies are shopping for factory space in the American Midwest for that reason. Batteries and solar panels are impossible to really monopolize. Yes, Lithium comes from a constrained list of places, but for grid-linked power storage you don't need lithium. Space and weight are not as big a concern for stationary installed facilities, so you have lots of other options.
- jhoechtl 4y ago
  Renewable energy requires IC controllers and electronics all coming from China. Parts are assembled where you mentioned which crucial parts sourced.
  - ocschwar 4y ago
    Right now the controllers come from China. There are fabs in Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and many other countries ready to step in if need be.

Kon-Peki 4y ago

I don't know how reliant the US is, but consider that if you buy a solar panel or a wind turbine from China, it produces energy for 10-25 years before needing replacement. Gas, coal, wood pellets, etc. You buy them, you burn them, they're gone. You need new supplies tomorrow.

onlyrealcuzzo 4y ago

Not much renewable energy gets stored in batteries. We'd only be dependent on expanding energy if the manufacturing of key components was happening outside the US. Expanding your energy supply is nowhere near as important as maintaining 50% of your total energy supply (EU fossil fuels). US energy consumption has been close to flat for 20 years.

ocschwar 4y ago

Turbine manufacturers are predominantly Danish (Vestas), German, (Siemens), USA (GE) and Spain (Iberdrola.) I don't have much of a problem with being dependent on energy cooperation from countries that happen to be my military allies. Moreover, turbine part transportation is such a logistical challenge that manufacturers are always trying to set up assembly facilities near their customers. All four of those companies are shopping for factory space in the American Midwest for that reason. Batteries and solar panels are impossible to really monopolize. Yes, Lithium comes from a constrained list of places, but for grid-linked power storage you don't need lithium. Space and weight are not as big a concern for stationary installed facilities, so you have lots of other options.

jhoechtl 4y ago
Renewable energy requires IC controllers and electronics all coming from China. Parts are assembled where you mentioned which crucial parts sourced.
- ocschwar 4y ago
  Right now the controllers come from China. There are fabs in Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and many other countries ready to step in if need be.