Batteries are, at the moment, about 6-7% the work-unit efficiency of hydrocarbons in its energy potential. Maybe it’s a little bit more since I last looked at the numbers because there has been developments over the years, but it isn’t anywhere near the work-unit efficiency of a gallon of gas.
But that doesn’t other sources aren’t useful. They may be useful in taking the workload of some of the process that still needs to be primarily fueled by hydrocarbons.
The example I gave earlier in the thread is electric generators that are fueled by solar and/or windpower. Sure, the generators will not run your house all the time. However, maybe there is enough sunlight and wind power that can be stored so these generators can be used once a month. Lowering your powerbill by 3-4%, or better, can probably help over the years.
None of these things is a complete solution, but together they could be a good change.
Yea, but how many years doe s it take to pay off the cost of installation. Also, what’s the lifespan.
For most of those systems, the equilibrium point is remarkably close to the product life cycle. often it’s well beyond.
As an example, the Chevy Volt was on the same chassis as the Chevy Cruze. The equilibrium for fuel saved is about 300,000 miles. I’m one of the few people I know who have saved a car that long and it was valueless at that point.