[gwright]

You are correct that you can't create a stable, resilient grid just with intermittent renewables, you need storage.

But I don't think anyone has demonstrated long-term storage at grid scale, capable of storing power across seasons, which is needed in many areas. To be feasible the storage system has to be cheaper than maintaining some fossil fuel plants.

I haven't seen much about promising hydrogen storage systems.

[pfdietz]

> But I don't think anyone has demonstrated

Arguments like this really annoy me, if it's clear there's not a serious obstacle. It's just a "nothing can be done for the first time" argument.

[gwright]

I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm saying it hasn't been done yet. How about we try it before pretending that we can shift to 100% renewables or before legislating transitions that we don't know how to accomplish.

Hawaii is trying hard, but it doesn't seem to be going well with the grid becoming less reliable. BTW, this video is a solid overview of the power situation in Hawaii: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbECmVdyWlQ&themeRefresh=1

I believe parts of the Azores have tried, but have not been successful.

I would be very interested in pointers to successful projects in this area.

[troupo]

> it's clear there's not a serious obstacle

However, building grid-level storage is a serious obstacle

> It's just a "nothing can be done for the first time" argument.

No. The "it's easy, just build a lot of storage" argument is magical thinking.