[ThunderSleeps]

But don't worry, "renewable" energy is going to save us all. I just read an enthusiastic article about how this company has new battery technology that should allow utility-scale solar power to power the grid overnight.

They breathlessly reported they are making batteries and a certain utility out west is buying them ... at a rate such that in 5 years they will be able to power 50,000 homes for one day! One whole day!

For a bit of perspective here... Realize that my county is one medium sized county in one state that is actually less than average across the country for population and homes. At the rate of 50,000 home capacity in 5 years, it would take them 25 years to produce enough batteries for just my county alone.

That's for one day. Actually really only a half-day since presumably the solar panels would power the homes during the day and the batteries would only have to power the homes during the night. But you know if a 2 or 3 day winter storm comes through...guess we'd all freeze on the second day. Not to worry, they've got 25 years to work it out...

You see the numbers folks? I'm all for renewable energy, but it is a joke at national scale right now. The technology is nowhere, nowhere near ready.

[The Louiswu]

“ But don't worry…”

Spot on. I too think some renewable energy sources can help REDUCE dependence on oil, gas, coal and nuclear, but we can’t eliminate them all overnight without disastrous consequences. .

[palmer]

Good comment, I agree completely. Solar is a pretty cheap source now, but it's also worth a lot less than reliable sources. The problem here in Virginia is my utility has to pay 3 times more for solar than for reliable sources. That's backwards, raises our costs, and reduces our reliability.