Winter Storms, Summer Heat, and our 3rd World Electric System

BOSD, that doesn't take into account severe conditions. Wind right now is at 8%. If you want a reliable grid with wind and solar you have to plan on the infrequent conditions that do occur.

 

I think we are largely in violent agreement. I'm simply saying that you don't need to abandon Wind & Solar because they ebb and flow with a wider range, but you do need to plan for that better. Wind may now be at 8%, but solar is not.

 

Or you could build nuke plants that are not at the mercy of wind and sun.

 

That would make too much sense to do.

 

<leftyfreak> But...but...but...Three Mile Island! That's proof we can't trust nuclear power! The technology of 1979 hasn't advanced at all and we will all DIE!!! </leftyfreak>

 

Uranic technology could give a big hand. Although, since we’re sitting on massive natural gas fields, and natural gas is generally cheap in Texas even when oil is high, you’d think they’d build some more natural gas fueled generation plants.

 

No, the left would whine about the risk of a tsunami...in Central Texas.

 

It appears Texas went all in on wind when during heat waves, it would make more sense to install solar. However, a major heat wave only happens once every 10-20 years. Why invest for that scenario?

 

Does higher temperature = more power from a solar cell? I wasn't aware of that. I figured it would be intensity of sunlight (cloud cover) and the angle of incidence as the most influential drivers.

 

Heat waves occur when the sun is shining, and they occur during the summer when the sun shines for the longest. Also, basic thermodynamics says everything is more energy efficient at higher temperature, including internal combustion engines.

 

mc
I got stuck in Phoenix several years ago when it was too hot to take off.
I never understood why that would be but if Southwest ain't taking off it must be true

 

Calling HIC

 

Different phenomena- Bernoulli effect. Planes lose some of their lift capacity at high altitudes due to thinner air and during extreme hot weather due to lower density air.

 

Yeah. Solar cells don't run on temperature. They run on the radiance of visible light. That is the same regardless of temperature. Sunlight intensity is solar irradiance which is in units W/sq m, but there is a specific wavelength range that photovoltaics respond to, roughly visible light. So the brighter it is the more flux. So clouds are a factor. Angle is probably important too. Solar panel angles could be changed to help some though.

 

No. Heat waves are confluence of factors. In Texas right now the higher temperatures are more about a high pressure system than sun output.

Electrical conductivity actually goes down with heat, so there will be more resistive losses in the charge collection part of the panel. You aren't dealing with thermodynamics here and a normal engine. You are dealing with a strictly electrical system.

 

Thanks for sharing.

I will defer any meaningful comment on this issue... some of you are far more educated and knowledgable about solar "stuff" than me.

 

I stand corrected regarding solar panel efficiency.

 

I just know that those guys calling, and knocking on the door, trying to sell roof solar panels are annoying.

 

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?
Bitcoin miners saved the Texas grid this summer!

 

https://www.usnews.com/news/top-new...ower use in,grid operator projected on Monday.

Still wary of the electric grid’s reliability, some Texans complied with ERCOT’s requests to conserve power this week

 

We’re all who complied EV owners?

 

Spent the weekend in New Braunfels floating the Comal. Damn it was hot, but the river was fine.

 

From themselves!

 

Biden has commenced issuing executive orders to boost wind energy, including one regarding wind turbines in the Gulf of Mexico. Biden intends to create a 700,000 acre wind energy area in the Gulf. Biden stated/read from the teleprompter: “Let me be clear. Climate change is an emergency.”

 

Regime change is a more immediate emergency than climate change.

 

What does Biden plan to do about the already purchased leases in the Gulf which are not fiscally viable? Is he going to subsidize the loses?

 

Strong arm congress to pass tax credits.

 

I think you answered your own question.

Biden wants to be Germany. 3Xs the electricity cost only to go back to coal. Germany stays functional because they get electricity from other countries when the wind doesn't blow.

 

Dear Lord I hate these little heat waves not because of the heat, but because of the liberal **** they spew every time. I accidentally left the TV on and a middle of the night program came on loaded with this message ( I was too lazy to find the remote to change the channel):

This all because of global warming and this heat wave

• the Earth is burning...Texas, England, Spain, etc
• people are dying in the street by the 100's
• 100% end oil and gas
• move 100% to green energy/carbon neutral
• redistribute the worlds wealth so every country can afford to pay for their part to fix the climate
• Earths temperatures will rise 0.25 degrees every 10 years moving forward which will be catastrophic

They will do anything to spread lies and deceit to get people panicked.

Meanwhile today's current temps seemed to have dropped significantly back toward normal but you won't hear a word about this.

London 73
Paris 77
Munich 75

Yeah, its' still hot here, but there's nothing abnormal having 98-103 degree temps in July and into August.