Re:Can Wind Power Revive Jobs in America's Heartland?
by MR4D on Sunday April 09, 2017 @09:38PM
(#14075404)
You make a good comment (which I generally agree with), and prompted a thought: How much would it take to change this situation?
For instance, the tax credit is a huge subsidy, and obviously reduces the effective capital cost. But once the capital cost is depreciated after a short period of years, then what does the ongoing marginal cost look like?
If it's low, which I expect it is, then can it be retrofitted with batteries or other technology to store energy?
I don't know the answer, but the lower effective capital cost has to have longer term effects - especially when a coal plant is depreciated over a couple decades.
For instance, the tax credit is a huge subsidy, and obviously reduces the effective capital cost. But once the capital cost is depreciated after a short period of years, then what does the ongoing marginal cost look like?
If it's low, which I expect it is, then can it be retrofitted with batteries or other technology to store energy?
I don't know the answer, but the lower effective capital cost has to have longer term effects - especially when a coal plant is depreciated over a couple decades.