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> Sure, that makes it easier, not harder. Tell that to the folks actually building these transmission networks. > Interconnection capacity can be expanded.

> Sure, that makes it easier, not harder. Tell that to the folks actually building these transmission networks. > Interconnection capacity can be expanded. Sure. Finland is adding an additional 1000 MW of capacity to Estonia. It's expected to be ready for service in 2035. In case you didn't notice, that's less than a nuclear power plants worth of interconnection capacity in a decade. > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_super_grid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_super_grid details all sorts of proposals in this regard That page is little much than fancy hand waving. What's more amusing is that you can also find the summary of a study from Finnish engineering firm Pöyry on the very same page that concludes the following: "A report by Pöyry stated that a super grid would only partially reduce the problems from intermittent renewable energy production. While it found that spreading renewables across Europe produced a smoothing effect, large scale weather patterns would impact many European countries at similar times. This still results in large highs and lows of energy output." > some of them currently being implemented. Which ones? Specifically which ones will add the required tens of GWs of interconnection capacity? > Like I said, not much imagination necessary; others have already gotten it well past that point. That's putting it charitably. You need a rather large leap of faith from those hallucinations to a real solution.

ceejayoz 3y ago
> Tell that to the folks actually building these transmission networks. I suspect they'll agree that overland transmission lines are far easier to build than undersea lines. (As long as you're not trying to do it in, say, Afghanistan.) > While it found that spreading renewables across Europe produced a smoothing effect, large scale weather patterns would impact many European countries at similar times. Yes, that's why building and interconnecting with solar farms in Northern Africa is being discussed. > In case you didn't notice, that's less than a nuclear power plants worth of interconnection capacity in a decade. One would presume they build according to actual need. It's pretty clear future capacity expansion of proven technology will be needed as use of renewables expands.

ceejayoz 3y ago

> Tell that to the folks actually building these transmission networks. I suspect they'll agree that overland transmission lines are far easier to build than undersea lines. (As long as you're not trying to do it in, say, Afghanistan.) > While it found that spreading renewables across Europe produced a smoothing effect, large scale weather patterns would impact many European countries at similar times. Yes, that's why building and interconnecting with solar farms in Northern Africa is being discussed. > In case you didn't notice, that's less than a nuclear power plants worth of interconnection capacity in a decade. One would presume they build according to actual need. It's pretty clear future capacity expansion of proven technology will be needed as use of renewables expands.