glambx t1_ixd8c9f wrote
Reply to comment by curious_geoff in HVDC macrogrid would reduce climate pollutants and electricity costs while transmitting low-cost renewable power by manual_tranny
Eh, negligible, compared to the benefits.
The main problem with solar and wind are intermittency. One (partial) solution is a massive rollout of battery storage, which would have a thousand times that environmental impact.
If you can reduce the need by time and location shifting intermittents across the country? That's an absolute win.
If you're interested, though:
Lots of information and links to cost analysis there.
giltwist t1_ixdgv4x wrote
> One (partial) solution is a massive rollout of battery storage
Isn't that why we're experimenting with mechanical energy storage like pulling train cars full of rocks or pumping water uphill?
glambx t1_ixdhm7m wrote
Problem is that the amount of energy storage we need to convert 100% to renewables is enormous. Pumped hydro works just fine but takes a massive amount of area and the right topography. Compressed underground air storage also works, but is geology-specific.
The right answer is a blend of wind, solar, and nuclear fission, but there's still a ton of (mostly ignorant) folks against nuclear power.
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