In a recent study, researchers from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) questioned the planned development of new nuclear capacities in the energy strategies of the United States and certain European countries.
  • relative_iterator@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    61·
    1 year ago

    consumers may also help reduce system costs by adapting their electricity consumption to the availability of renewable energy

    From the linked paper. They mention some other options for storage like batteries (plenty of environmental issues there though) but based on the quoted text I have a hard time taking this seriously if they actually expect people to change their behavior.

    • Zorque@kbin.social
      2·
      1 year ago

      “Not enough power from renewables? Just turn off your fridge for a few days and you’ll be fine!”

      Honestly that sentiment has strong “blame the consumer” vibes that seems to pervade climate arguments.

      Sure, people can reduce consumption, but at best its a stopgap, not a solution.

      • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        There’s stuff like heaters and to a degree things like washing machines that can shape the time they’re active to whenever there’s a lull.

        Consider Britain: Each time the BBC runs a popular show you get an energy usage spike once it’s over because people are getting up and make themselves a cuppa. Doesn’t really make sense to run the heater in the tank for your shower at the same time, or charge your car, that can wait a bit.

    • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
      2·
      1 year ago

      I think innovation at the consumption end is going to help a lot. On Technology Connections I saw an electric induction stove that could be powered from a regular socket. It had a battery that would trickle charge throughout the day and then use the batteries to power the induction cooktops, as well as a couple of plugs. If widely deployed and in other appliances, with a little smarts that could provide power leveling at the home level.

      Another solution would be adding some intelligence to water heaters. Have a temperature control valve on the output where you set the temperature, and program the water heater get to 160-180°F when electricity is cheap. This would be a thermal battery that would easily level out demand for electricity for heating water.

      Or you could do thermal storage by heating a house very warm/cold prior to a large cold snap/heat wave, and letting it coast down/up to a temperature instead of heating/cooling a lot during the cold/hot weather. He’s got a video on this technique here