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> you need dispatchable power to supply power while the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing Fair. What do you suggest instead?

bryanlarsen 1y ago
For New York State, right next door to the Hydro electricity abundant Quebec, and with access to trade winds in the Atlantic Ocean? Solar, Wind & Batteries for 97% of power, send the excess to Quebec so they can idle their Hydro while the sun is shining, and then use Quebec Hydro for the last 3%. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/solar-electricity-every-hour-of-every-day-is-here-and-it-changes-everything/ https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/solar-electricity-e...
- zdragnar 1y ago
  What benefit does Quebec get from idling their hydro power?
  - bryanlarsen 1y ago
    They idle it while the sun is shining and power is almost worthless, and sell it while it isn't and prices are high.
    - zdragnar 1y ago
      Idling a hydro plant doesn't save them money, though. They're designed for efficient operation, and idling will actually induce more strain on the equipment. There's just no motivation for them to take the excess energy by throttling their own.
      - bryanlarsen 1y ago
        We're comparing to nuclear here. Yes, it might cost more money to run a hydro plant intermittently. It'll still be cheaper than nuclear.
      - throw0101c 1y ago
        > Idling a hydro plant doesn't save them money, though. When you're running you more create wear-and-tear and increase the depreciation rate: this can be costed. There's also probably increased staffing costs during higher levels of operations; also costable. Depending on the prices offered to the hydro-plant, it may or may not be profitable to run.
        olyjohn 1y ago
        Is this true, or are you just assuming here? There are a lot of mechanical things that work better when they are running and used consistency. Sometimes shutting them down and starting them back up, or throttling them actually causes more wear. Even my lawnmower runs more efficiently and has less wear at full throttle. It says right in the manual to run it at full throttle all the time.

bryanlarsen 1y ago

For New York State, right next door to the Hydro electricity abundant Quebec, and with access to trade winds in the Atlantic Ocean? Solar, Wind & Batteries for 97% of power, send the excess to Quebec so they can idle their Hydro while the sun is shining, and then use Quebec Hydro for the last 3%. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/solar-electricity-every-hour-of-every-day-is-here-and-it-changes-everything/ https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/solar-electricity-e...

zdragnar 1y ago
What benefit does Quebec get from idling their hydro power?
- bryanlarsen 1y ago
  They idle it while the sun is shining and power is almost worthless, and sell it while it isn't and prices are high.
  - zdragnar 1y ago
    Idling a hydro plant doesn't save them money, though. They're designed for efficient operation, and idling will actually induce more strain on the equipment. There's just no motivation for them to take the excess energy by throttling their own.
    - bryanlarsen 1y ago
      We're comparing to nuclear here. Yes, it might cost more money to run a hydro plant intermittently. It'll still be cheaper than nuclear.
    - throw0101c 1y ago
      > Idling a hydro plant doesn't save them money, though. When you're running you more create wear-and-tear and increase the depreciation rate: this can be costed. There's also probably increased staffing costs during higher levels of operations; also costable. Depending on the prices offered to the hydro-plant, it may or may not be profitable to run.
      - olyjohn 1y ago
        Is this true, or are you just assuming here? There are a lot of mechanical things that work better when they are running and used consistency. Sometimes shutting them down and starting them back up, or throttling them actually causes more wear. Even my lawnmower runs more efficiently and has less wear at full throttle. It says right in the manual to run it at full throttle all the time.