Re:Solar and Wind to Top Coal Power in US for First Time in ...
by gertlex on Sunday December 17, 2023 @11:07AM
(#38673763)
It seems to me that that depends on which problem you're solving.
(1) No power from renewables overnight? Sure, nuclear works
(2) (Planning for the eventuality where) Entire grid's demand is available from renewables during parts of the day? Either don't use the renewables, and keep the nuclear running, OR battery storage.
A decade ago I think (1) was the primary topic of armchair discussion, but (2) has become increasingly more common. It really doesn't feel like nuclear is demonstrating the ability to keep up (maybe in China though...); it's not getting built fast enough, and I don't recall the more modern designs that are in the permitting process/starting to build (in the US) toting highly variable power generation as a added capability.
I do pay less attention to the nuclear news since I finished my masters a decade ago and never worked nuclear after, so I could be unaware of some things.
(1) No power from renewables overnight? Sure, nuclear works
(2) (Planning for the eventuality where) Entire grid's demand is available from renewables during parts of the day? Either don't use the renewables, and keep the nuclear running, OR battery storage.
A decade ago I think (1) was the primary topic of armchair discussion, but (2) has become increasingly more common. It really doesn't feel like nuclear is demonstrating the ability to keep up (maybe in China though...); it's not getting built fast enough, and I don't recall the more modern designs that are in the permitting process/starting to build (in the US) toting highly variable power generation as a added capability.
I do pay less attention to the nuclear news since I finished my masters a decade ago and never worked nuclear after, so I could be unaware of some things.