3 ms·
> Nuclear avoids these issues. It's a non-intermittent source with the greatest capacity factor of any generation system. A nuclear plant is pumping out electr
by logifail 4y ago
> Nuclear avoids these issues. It's a non-intermittent source with the greatest capacity factor of any generation system.
A nuclear plant is pumping out electricity 24x7, but the problem is, no electricity consumer needs that kind of supply, certanly not at the prices nuclear needs to charge. When the wind is blowing and/or the sun is shining, every single electricity consumer would prefer to pick a cheaper, renewable, option.
The only way nuclear can even pretend to make the math work out is by going on and on about "baseload" and hoping that they can lock in buyers over several decades rather than having to actually look the spot price in the face.
- Manuel_D 4y agoMinimum energy demand is usually 80% of peak energy demand. Furthermore, the peak energy demand happens in the evening when solar tapers off. The time of day when energy is most scare is exactly when solar stops producing. Wind may or may not produce at the right time, as wind speeds through the day vary depending on location. There's no "pretending" about base load. The vast majority of electricity demand is base load, and the peaks beyond base load happen when solar stops working.
- fulafel 4y agoIt's more informative for judging value to examine peak vs min price. 80% production off peak just says there's some demand willing to exceed marginal production cost, which can be quite low.