3 ms·

The problem is that peak load is when solar (and typically, wind too depending on the geography) is producing its lowest output. So if you fulfill this demand w

The problem is that peak load is when solar (and typically, wind too depending on the geography) is producing its lowest output. So if you fulfill this demand with nuclear, then you've just made your wind and solar irrelevant because nuclear is just as cheap to run around the clock. This is why proponents of a primarily wind and solar grid are assuming that hydrogen, compressed air, or something else will make storage nearly-free.

triceratops 3y ago
> The problem is that peak load is when solar (and typically, wind too depending on the geography) is producing its lowest output How do you figure that? Residential time of use prices are highest at mid-day. Power use is lower at night, even with higher demand for heating in the winter.[1] > So if you fulfill this demand with nuclear, then you've just made your wind and solar irrelevant because nuclear is just as cheap to run around the clock. Given the above, if your nuclear fleet only supplies enough power for nighttime then by definition it lacks the capacity to support peak demand. 1. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915
- Manuel_D 3y ago
  Peak electricity demand tends to be in the afternoon, right around sunset. Since this is right as solar is tapering off, this creates the duck curve problem [1]. It does vary by region and season. In hotter climates, during the summer, peak electricity demand does tend to happen around mid-day [2]. The same page you linked, actually. In case you didn't notice, the demand curves for spring, summer, fall, and winter are all overlaid on the same graph. Mid-day electricity use is highest during the summer, but in other seasons it peaks in the evening right around sunset. Furthermore, about half of homes in the US are heated by gas [3], so decarbonization of heating is going to increase night-time energy use. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_curve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_curve 2. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915 3. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=30672#:~:text=Broad%20ranges%20in%20winter%20temperatures,36%25%20who%20rely%20on%20electricity https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=30672#:~:tex....

triceratops 3y ago

> The problem is that peak load is when solar (and typically, wind too depending on the geography) is producing its lowest output How do you figure that? Residential time of use prices are highest at mid-day. Power use is lower at night, even with higher demand for heating in the winter.[1] > So if you fulfill this demand with nuclear, then you've just made your wind and solar irrelevant because nuclear is just as cheap to run around the clock. Given the above, if your nuclear fleet only supplies enough power for nighttime then by definition it lacks the capacity to support peak demand. 1. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915

Manuel_D 3y ago
Peak electricity demand tends to be in the afternoon, right around sunset. Since this is right as solar is tapering off, this creates the duck curve problem [1]. It does vary by region and season. In hotter climates, during the summer, peak electricity demand does tend to happen around mid-day [2]. The same page you linked, actually. In case you didn't notice, the demand curves for spring, summer, fall, and winter are all overlaid on the same graph. Mid-day electricity use is highest during the summer, but in other seasons it peaks in the evening right around sunset. Furthermore, about half of homes in the US are heated by gas [3], so decarbonization of heating is going to increase night-time energy use. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_curve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_curve 2. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42915 3. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=30672#:~:text=Broad%20ranges%20in%20winter%20temperatures,36%25%20who%20rely%20on%20electricity https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=30672#:~:tex....