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To: MtnClimber

I can run my camping trailer with solar panels, does not mean one can also run a steel mill with them.


38 posted on 03/26/2026 9:40:43 AM PDT by Psalm 73 ("You'll never hear surf music again" - J. Hendrix)
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To: Psalm 73

You could absolutely run a steel mill with these plenty hot enough or turn limestone into clinker.

https://news.mit.edu/2024/electrified-thermal-decarbonizes-heavy-industry-with-thermal-batteries-1126

Or an electric are furnace with these.

https://www.energy-storage.news/byd-launches-14-5mwh-bess-as-energy-density-race-continues/

Those BYD ISO sized units have a round trip cost of storage. LCOS of 1.4 cents per kWh = $14 MWh

Power is negative right now in Texas ERCOT is paying people in West Texas to use power so yeah storing power when it’s free or getting paid for it makes a lot of sense.

Break even gas turbine power at $4 MMBTU delivered to the turbine is $50 just to cover the fuel costs. Not including capex recovery , or O&M costs peak gas rates in Texas are $80-500MWh never below 50 for long as they are running at a loss then. We pay for inertia like California does we have enough spinning wind ,nukes too so it’s a free for all grid we don’t pay up front for any sitting or spinning capacity it’s all wholesale what are you selling in the next 15 minutes.

Wind for the last 12 hours has been under zero. The words you are looking for is power arbitrage.


40 posted on 03/26/2026 9:56:25 AM PDT by GenXPolymath
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