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Windy days and low heating needs means consumers get paid nearly every hour tomorrow to take surplus electricity off the EU grid. Thought this is interesting f
by jakewins 2y ago
Windy days and low heating needs means consumers get paid nearly every hour tomorrow to take surplus electricity off the EU grid.
Thought this is interesting for HN to discuss - the expansion of near-zero-marginal-cost production from wind and solar means more and more nearly free energy for systems that can take advantage of it. A lot of strain on the transmission system, but also a lot of opportunity for innovation.
- gus_massa 2y agoProbably a Bitcoin Miner or an Aluminium Smelter depending on which you consider more useful on how much capital you have.
- jakewins 2y agoYeah like the popular answers are eg - Hydrogen electrolyzers - Some deferrable industrial processes (or processes that can switch between fuels?) - Batteries ofc - EVs - etc etc Generally it seems like you have this tradeoff between saving $$ by running intermittently when energy is cheap, but not losing $$ from capital assets sitting idle. EVs are really in the sweet spot for short flexibility - their useful output doesn't change much whether they charge at 8PM or 1AM. Systems like smelters and electrolyzers are not at all as clear - they have enormous capital costs and their operators are likely not gonna enjoy letting them sit idle. It's interesting to imagine what kinds of systems could take advantage of this grid we now have where prices will be near-and-below-zero for long swaths of time during summer.. ideally also things that don't tax the transmission system, eg. could be placed close to production facilities..
- Arnt 2y agoOther metal too. Almost any factory with several steps and space to buffer after the energy-intensive steps. Cars.