On "renewables" (solar & wind), in 2009:
'The main.. challenge is that the wind does not always blow and the sun does not always shine in a given location..'
tinyurl.com/n9eeu4g A challenge even for sunny, breezy Australia. 1/12
'The main.. challenge is that the wind does not always blow and the sun does not always shine in a given location..'
tinyurl.com/n9eeu4g A challenge even for sunny, breezy Australia. 1/12
And the way the energy discussion has bogged down in Australia is reminiscent of what's described here:
(I recently saw the issue of persistent fossil fuel consumption dismissed with #BecauseRenewables - seriously?) 2/12
(I recently saw the issue of persistent fossil fuel consumption dismissed with #BecauseRenewables - seriously?) 2/12
Is the term "renewable" even all that useful for serving effective clean energy progress, or more-so for other purposes? I highly recommend this exploration sciencedirect.com/science/articl… 3/12
In Australia, pointing out the intermittency challenge prompts practically all proponents to 'wave the “storage is the solution” magic wand – without considering the pros and cons.' wattclarity.com.au/articles/2018/… 4/12
Imagining sufficient storage in the form of batteries reneweconomy.com.au/battery-storag… comes with cost agl.com.au/-/media/dls/ab…, materials visualcapitalist.com/base-metal-boo… & lifespan genexpower.com.au/uploads/6/6/1/… issues 5/12 
Pointing *this* out results in a kind of "Blakers ex machina": more potential pumped storage (instead of batteries) than we'd ever need! sciencedirect.com/science/articl… A useful paper but I wonder how many proponents have actually read it.
Talk about limiting our options. 6/12
Talk about limiting our options. 6/12
Sincerely - yay batteries & pumped hydro! But boo to limiting options. Most obvious: our arbitrary exclusion of #nuclear (in law no less!)
Good work indicates firm sources will be very important, when everything's included.
sciencedirect.com/science/articl… 7/12
Good work indicates firm sources will be very important, when everything's included.
sciencedirect.com/science/articl… 7/12
Just like in 2009, even in the most simplistic terms, no climate-friendly energy source needs to "force out" any other. (Hint: try swapping #nuclear for geothermal in the chart.
Also, still true from 2014: pratakarnkraft.nu/assets/files/j…
8/12
Also, still true from 2014: pratakarnkraft.nu/assets/files/j…
8/12
So in 2019, it's simple. We need to #repeal140A brightnewworld.org/media/2018/10/… minerals.org.au/sites/default/… actinideage.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/nfcrc_… 9/12
It'll be a lot of work. It'll be hard.
In 2018 there was a heck of a lot of good commentary on this. In contrast, some of the most vociferous speakers... 10/12
In 2018 there was a heck of a lot of good commentary on this. In contrast, some of the most vociferous speakers... 10/12
I'd like to talk about energy much less in 2019. I want to talk more about building physics & the best ways to operate the buildings we inhabit. This effects *everyone*, fundamentally, regardless of popular energy choices. 11/12
But I'll still be writing for brightnewworld.org and 4thGeneration.energy
And possibly some other surprises if all goes well. 🍻 to 2019. 12/12
And possibly some other surprises if all goes well. 🍻 to 2019. 12/12
