World Energy Hits a Turning Point: Solar That's Cheaper Than Wind

Re:World Energy Hits a Turning Point: Solar That's Cheaper T... by aaronblohowiak on Thursday December 15, 2016 @10:41PM (#13190876)

You can use natural gas for backup on demand energy generation. It isn't all or nothing.

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Re:World Energy Hits a Turning Point: Solar That's Cheaper T... by leereeves on Friday December 16, 2016 @02:49AM (#13191762)

And who pays for the backup on demand energy generation when it isn't in use?

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Re:World Energy Hits a Turning Point: Solar That's Cheaper T... by bainsfather on Friday December 16, 2016 @03:18PM (#13196402)

The same people who pay for it now, the consumers.

Electricity grids have massive 'problems' with balancing themselves as demand varies throughout the day. Currently there are e.g. open cycle gas turbines on standby - they are paid a retainer in return for always being available, plus are price per MWh when they are generating. For the UK you can see them http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk, also see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Grid_Reserve_Service

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Re:World Energy Hits a Turning Point: Solar That's Cheaper T... by leereeves on Friday December 16, 2016 @07:21PM (#13198156)

That works fine for a daily cycle. The backup plants still get paid every day.

But will it work for a yearly cycle, where solar/wind output varies from year to year?

Can a backup plant survive a year or two when it isn't needed and therefore isn't paid?

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