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To: PLMerite

No. Utilities still have to provide a base of production capacity. Solar and wind cannot provide that due to the transient nature of wind and sunlight.


46 posted on 11/18/2014 7:08:33 AM PST by DariusBane (Liberty and Risk. Flip sides of the same coin. So how much risk will YOU accept? Vive Deo et Vives)
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To: DariusBane; PLMerite

One thing that should be realized is one of the huge costs in power plants is designing for peak capacity. The plants have to be made MUCH larger than the normal amount of electricity they need to provide, because they also need to provide power at peak demand which is much higher. Power companies are beginning to realize that grid scale energy storage may actually save them money without even considering alternative energy, because a plant can be designed smaller with the storage providing the limited duration peak power. Then when you factor in wind, and solar, it changes the whole picture.

Solar often produces the most during peak demand anyway. Those wicked hot spells where the sun is blazing down and everyone turns on their air conditioners, are solar heaven.


52 posted on 11/18/2014 8:36:31 AM PST by Prophet2520
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