Re:Wind and Solar Will Be 25% of Total U.S. Generating Capac...
by dynamorando on Monday July 24, 2023 @05:53PM
(#36854758)
You seem to have some knowledge in this area. I'm curious your thoughts on Enhanced Geothermal?
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/18/fervo-energy-hits-milestone-...
Re:Wind and Solar Will Be 25% of Total U.S. Generating Capac...
by Synaesthesia on Monday July 24, 2023 @06:03PM
(#36854889)
Geothermal is great, where it’s available. According to the article you linked it’s still quite expensive, but coming down in price rapidly.
In the short term, wind and solar provide power when they can and make up the difference with natural gas. That is much better than the current system of coal and natural gas. This extends to wind and solar providing all of the normal power. Then can have storage to cover the daily needs. There is no problem turning off wind and solar when not needed, but we will find ways to use the free power.
In the long term, we can have so much wind and solar capacity, I have seen 3 times load, to cover nearly all the time. The excess power will be needed for carbon capture and fuel production. For the rare times when renewables aren't enough, can use hydrogen or other generated fuels as backup.