News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Tesla’s big battery in South Australia may prove the viability of renewables. Parent comment

Re:Tesla’s big battery in South Australia may prove the viab... by maxerickson on Saturday July 08, 2017 @09:14AM (#14725308)
It's a buffer to stabilize the grid though, so making gas wouldn't really solve the problem that the battery is supposed to solve.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Tesla’s big battery in South Australia may prove the viab... by vamur on Saturday July 08, 2017 @09:25AM (#14725328)
Why wouldn't it? NG plants are already used to meet grid demands.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Tesla’s big battery in South Australia may prove the viab... by greglindahl on Saturday July 08, 2017 @12:40PM (#14726030)
NG plants can't start delivering power in seconds. That's what "stabilization" means.

You're right that NG plants do play an important role in the grid today, but it's a "we predict that we'll need more power generated in an hour" role.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Tesla’s big battery in South Australia may prove the viab... by vamur on Saturday July 08, 2017 @01:49PM (#14726372)
Gas turbines can be started within minutes. And majority of grids do not currently use "stabilization" within seconds. This sort of requirement is caused by the unreliable and unpredictive solar/wind generation.
[ Parent | on HN ]