Batteries, hydro, and natural gas (peaker plants) all help directly. Wind isn't really "dispatchable" in the sense that the grid operator can't ask for more wind.
I don't believe nuclear power ramps up very easily, and in any case it has to run as much as possible to pay for high capital costs. Power that's going to be on standby much of the time needs to be cheap to build.
Anything that usually generates power in the evening will help some, though.
Also, the grid operator being able to schedule demand helps too. Things like water heaters and air conditioning can be run in advance and turned off at peak times.
Dynamic pricing! Get a little smartness in front of large consumption appliances and charge much less when there's too much power. The answer will create itself without any need for breakthrough technologies. (I hope)
It seemed like we were inching towards this with smarthome tech, but now we’re losing ground. Nest was pretty revolutionary at the time with their “learning” thermostat, but aiui most smart thermostats don’t bother with real smartness.
Google/nest just spun off their energy team, Ecobee was bought out by a home energy company, so hopefully we’re seeing a new generation of smart energy companies coming.
Exactly, or at least have more tiers of pricing based on the time of day. I visited another state and was pleasantly surprised to see four time windows that shift based on season. In Southern California, there are only 2, and I doubt most customers have even been transitioned to a TOU plan. So dumb.
Can't rely on hydro power in California. In 2021, for example, a serious drought caused water levels to drop so low behind reservoirs they could no longer be used for pumped storage. Batteries are the best solution, quick to charge, high efficiency and can be brought online instantly.
skybrian|2 years ago
I don't believe nuclear power ramps up very easily, and in any case it has to run as much as possible to pay for high capital costs. Power that's going to be on standby much of the time needs to be cheap to build.
Anything that usually generates power in the evening will help some, though.
Also, the grid operator being able to schedule demand helps too. Things like water heaters and air conditioning can be run in advance and turned off at peak times.
s1artibartfast|2 years ago
The challenge is almost 100 of the cost is up front, so the economics favor using the power all the time, because it is basically free once built.
zemvpferreira|2 years ago
vineyardmike|2 years ago
Google/nest just spun off their energy team, Ecobee was bought out by a home energy company, so hopefully we’re seeing a new generation of smart energy companies coming.
bequanna|2 years ago
miguelazo|2 years ago
while_true_|2 years ago
lamontcg|2 years ago
Yes, batteries. From yesterday:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39144978