5 ms·
Solar is cheap and abundant during daytime. It has zero power at night. Coal/gas/nukes are more expensive, but runs 24/7. Batteries are getting cheaper, but are
by lazide 9mo ago
Solar is cheap and abundant during daytime. It has zero power at night. Coal/gas/nukes are more expensive, but runs 24/7. Batteries are getting cheaper, but are still not that cheap.
AI/Data centers need power 24/7.
- willis936 9mo agoYes so use the cheaper methane gas turbine combined cycle power plant. Coal can't compete with higher efficiency, cheaper fuel options.
- lazide 9mo agoIn areas where there are gas transmission lines, sure. Large portions of the country don’t have that infrastructure built out yet, but do have rail lines which provide coal. It’s also a timing/capital issue. It will change eventually, but in the meantime people need their kWh.
- willis936 9mo agoRail lines also provides logistics for methane, which produces many more usable joules per kg of fuel.
- lazide 9mo agoI’ve never seem any analysis of feasibility for LNG (probably what you’re referring too) vs pipeline NG for things like power plants. Do we even have sufficient liquifaction facilities for that type of volume? When I hear of that kind of thing, it’s almost always liquifying for export to places like Europe.
- UncleMeat 9mo agoBatteries exist and are already deployed, with solar-plus-battery being cheaper than coal.