This is the graphs that shows the actual amounts generated. You can see that renewables are still very significant, even given their intermittent nature.
You can see that the renewables are "out-of-phase" with gas. This partly due to the renewables (when at their peak) displacing gas, but also due to the unfortunate fact that renewables generate best when demand is lowest. They'll need to be "overbuilt". Efficiency and storage are also key pieces.
All capacity is overbuilt. E.g., peaker gas is only used to top off demand on the high end. Regarding the phasing of renewables: See the inset plot - Wind peaks at night & winter; solar during day & summer so the phasing depends on the ratio of capacity & generation, its not inherent when paired.
Biomass is more like coal than other renewables in some key respects: burned, releasing CO2 & particulate; in case of wood pellets, harvesting/processing of feedstock (trees) has high environmental costs
Organic waste can find other uses
That one can replant trees doesn’t really make it C neutral
Yes. I agree. When I teach, I refer to low carbon sources & break out biomass-related sources. Though it is fast as opposed to slow carbon cycle, it has other negative impacts on the environment & health. But globally, biomass accounts from ~2.3% power. Other renewables will replace it. 🧪🔌💡☀️💨🔋
There are differences in capacity factors for various generation sources. However, because renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels they are scheduled with priority in the queue. Storage addresses the issue of capacity factor.
Without a doubt, that is great news but until we can get Grid size batteries on line that much solar and wind is only going to force more load following NG combustion Turbine plants on line. The paradox is maddening.
I missed that article somehow. Thank you. Again it is good news and a beginning. It’s disappointing that given all the solar capacity we have on the East coast I didn’t see much in the way of Grid Storage in places like here in NC.
Comments
Organic waste can find other uses
That one can replant trees doesn’t really make it C neutral
Main issue, IMO, is that lumping biomass burning together w/ "cleaner energy" under "renewables" creates false impression of their equivalency