Re:US public wants climate change dealt with, but doesn’t li...
by PaulHoule on Thursday June 29, 2023 @06:38PM
(#36527820)
We need all of the above in large amounts.
Solar and wind are promising but I think experiencing irrational exuberance. It takes about as long to build power lines as it does to build NPPs and it takes plenty of power lines to move energy from the richest areas to where the demand is. 20 years ago people assumed we’d need weeks worth of power storage to smooth demand, today the estimates are dramatically less and I’m not sure I believe them. There is going to be pushback against mega solar farms displacing wildlife but rooftop solar and other land-conserving options don’t promise headline low prices.
Remember Africa is going to add another billion people and they all want to raise their standard of living, India wants to follow in the footsteps of China, etc.
Solar and wind are promising but I think experiencing irrational exuberance. It takes about as long to build power lines as it does to build NPPs and it takes plenty of power lines to move energy from the richest areas to where the demand is. 20 years ago people assumed we’d need weeks worth of power storage to smooth demand, today the estimates are dramatically less and I’m not sure I believe them. There is going to be pushback against mega solar farms displacing wildlife but rooftop solar and other land-conserving options don’t promise headline low prices.
Remember Africa is going to add another billion people and they all want to raise their standard of living, India wants to follow in the footsteps of China, etc.