I've read somewhere that the baseload thing is a myth and that solar+wind doesnt really need baseload power at all. Is this true?

I've also read that battery costs are already low enough for energy storage to not be a financial hurdle in full decarbonization. So if this is true, why do we even need nuclear?

  • OPisalib [none/use name]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I saw an interesting thing about flywheels being a potential solution to power storage. Set them up in a near vacuum with minimal friction and they can store power for 6-8 hours. Doesn't sound like much but you usually only need them at night time so that's plenty.

    Pumped water can work but requires the correct geography. Molten salts works quite well too with fewer drawbacks.

    Are there simple environmentally friendly batteries that don't require things like lithium? Seems like weight and size aren't an issue for grid-connected battery storage