Reserve Power is backup, on-call, fuel-based power. Because it's held in reserve, it's nearly as expensive as an operating plant. ERCOT started charging ratepayers an additional $1.5 Billion for more reserve power. utilitydive.com/news/texas-gri…
In addition to reserve power costs, wind & solar are wearing out our fuel-based generating resources far more quickly than anybody planned. Chaos. #EnergyPoverty. Rube Gldberg Systems Engineering. open.substack.com/pub/bfrandall/…
How many slick lifecycle assessments supporting Wind & Solar address (i) the costs of Reserve Power; (ii) the costs of Operation, Maintanance, and early replacement of fuel-based generation plants; and (iii) the Carbon impacts of (i) and (ii)?
Remember, Reserve Power is not used. There is no benefit except for backup. It's like Walmart having to keep extra inventory in stock just in case it's needed but if not, the inventory is just thrown out. How much more would Walmart have to charge to cover the backup waste?
Not only is Reserve Power not used, people need to understand that thermal power plants held in reserve are still running. Everything is hot. Ready to go online. Staying hot in reserve uses lots of Carbon for Nothing. Are these carbon emissions counted in the lifecycle analyses?
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