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Resource Documents: Grid (168 items)
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Solar and wind aren’t real power sources, they’re intermittent fuel-savers
Author: Epstein, Alex
As a recent week of winter weather illustrated, solar and wind don’t replace reliable power sources—they just save them fuel, usually at great expense. We’re bombarded with supposed examples of solar/wind rapidly and cheaply replacing fossil fuel power: rapid rises in solar/wind “capacity” or “generation”; solar/wind credited for supplying most of a day’s electricity; stats claiming solar/wind is now cheaper than fossil fuels. Advocates of solar and wind replacing fossil fuel power downplay the obvious, glaring problem that the grid . . .
More »‘Death of Baseload’ and Similar Grid Tropes
Author: Posch, Maya
Anyone who has spent any amount of time in or near people who are really interested in energy policies will have heard proclamations such as that ‘baseload is dead’ and the sorting of energy sources by parameters like their levelized cost of energy (LCoE) and merit order. Another thing that one may have noticed here is that this is also an area where debates and arguments can get pretty heated. The confusing thing is that depending on where you look, . . .
More »Wind energy is not sustainable when balanced by fossil energy
Author: Emblemsvåg, Jan
Highlights: Life-cycle analyses of wind in grids have many significant shortcomings today. Wind displaces far less emissions than typically assessed today. Wind does reduce emissions but insufficiently to qualify as sustainable. Policy must focus on developing low carbon dispatchable energy sources. Policy must focus on systemic sustainability and less on renewable energy per se. Abstract: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Some countries have therefore invested significantly in . . .
More »Electricity at Any Price? The Real Cost of Wind Power
Author: Fahlén, Per; Henrekson, Magnus; and Nilsson, Mats
El till varje pris? Vindkraftens verkliga kostnader This policy brief critically evaluates the current push for extensive wind power expansion in Sweden. This Policy Brief critically examines the economic and technical assumptions behind the rapid expansion of weather-dependent energy sources such as wind and solar, identifying several systemic risks and shortcomings. Key Findings 1. System Stability Risks A high share of intermittent power (currently 25% wind and 2.5% solar) threatens grid reliability. Essential system functions (instantaneous power, frequency control, reactive . . .
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