Re:Nuclear power is too slow
by Manuel_D on Saturday December 17, 2022 @07:35PM
(#34033827)
Pumped storage is geographically dependent. Batteries are nowhere near cost effective. "Demand shifting" is also hugely expensive: you can't just cut industrial inputs without causing adverse effects throughout the economy.
Nuclear power is dispatchable enough to satisfy grid usage. The difference between peak and minimum demand is typically 20-30%. And it's a pretty gradual transition, happening over the span of multiple hours. You're right, you can't just crank nuclear from 0 to 100% in an hour like a gas turbine, but a 100% nuclear grid is totally doable by overcooling the turbines to reduce outputs during low demand. The French have successfully used nuclear for over 85% of their electricity, so this is demonstrably capable.
Nuclear power is dispatchable enough to satisfy grid usage. The difference between peak and minimum demand is typically 20-30%. And it's a pretty gradual transition, happening over the span of multiple hours. You're right, you can't just crank nuclear from 0 to 100% in an hour like a gas turbine, but a 100% nuclear grid is totally doable by overcooling the turbines to reduce outputs during low demand. The French have successfully used nuclear for over 85% of their electricity, so this is demonstrably capable.