View Single Post
Unread 10/05/2017, 09:29 AM   #27
dkeller_nc
Registered Member
 
dkeller_nc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Central NC
Posts: 5,062
Yep. This is the issue with most carbon sequestration schemes, as well as the idea of "get the base load from solar power". It's not that the basic idea isn't technically correct, it's the that the math just doesn't work out.

Certainly some of the US's peak load demands can be supplied with wind/solar/biomass combustion. But the base load demand is far too high to make those sources practical. Just a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation for base load generation by means of solar power would lead one to the conclusion that you'd need to cover Arizona with solar cells. Never mind the environmental degradation from the mining and refining of the minerals required to make all of those solar arrays.

Rather unfortunately, most optimistic declarations that I see in regards to renewable generation at large scale leaves out careful analysis that includes all factors. One such omission that's extremely common is neglecting line losses that occur in generating electricity and delivering it via grid systems to distant consumers. Such a system would be necessary to deal with the power demands of unfavorably located population and industry (such as the northern US).


dkeller_nc is offline   Reply With Quote