The future of energy generation and storage

[IFocus]

France has a 70% utilization rate for nuclear power generation, highest in the world most are 10 to mid 20's%.

It can do that as it exports large amounts to country's around it (I guess Germany is a big importer)

 

[sptrawler]

I think she tells it like it is.

If you watch her videos in full she goes through the good and bad of each technology. As a nuclear physicist she has a bias towards nuclear and criticises the German government for closing down reactors, but she recognises that nuclear is not the best for every country.

One of the most even handed Youtubers I have seen.

Does she have videos on different types of generation?

 

[SirRumpole]

Does she have videos on different types of generation?

Yes lots.

I'll find some later but if you Googe "Sabine Hossenfelder Youtube energy" or something similar I'm sure you will find some.

Here is one on geothermal.

 

[sptrawler]

Thanks @SirRumpole she has a good contrarian approach, which I quite like, but probably isn't everyone's cup of tea.
She has done a video on renewables, which is good also, here it is.

 

[Smurf1976]

France has a 70% utilization rate for nuclear power generation, highest in the world most are 10 to mid 20's%.

???

The US nuclear fleet averaged 93.1% capacity factor in 2023.

UK it was 72.2% in 2022.

I think you mean something other than the utilisation rate?

 

[SirRumpole]

Thanks @SirRumpole she has a good contrarian approach, which I quite like, but probably isn't everyone's cup of tea.
She has done a video on renewables, which is good also, here it is.

Been there, done that, 9088.

 

[Smurf1976]

For the reassurance of those who may have seen this, it's fake news:

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/vulnerable-tips-on-how-to-keep-christmas-food-safe-to-eat-amid-power-outages/news-story/0d0d703b6e44a856d122409430504ace

Australians have been warned blackouts could threaten Christmas lunch as temperatures are set to soar.

PSS Distributors general manager Terrence Daniel has warned the festive period is “vulnerable” to power outages.

No idea who this person is or who PSS Distributors are but suffice to say all looks OK for Christmas Day indeed at present there are no forecast problems between now and the end of the year that would disrupt supply to consumers.

That doesn't preclude an errant tree or car taking out the line to your house, but at an overall system level there's no concern at the present time about the next week.

 

[SirRumpole]

For the reassurance of those who may have seen this, it's fake news:

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/vulnerable-tips-on-how-to-keep-christmas-food-safe-to-eat-amid-power-outages/news-story/0d0d703b6e44a856d122409430504ace

No idea who this person is or who PSS Distributors are but suffice to say all looks OK for Christmas Day indeed at present there are no forecast problems between now and the end of the year that would disrupt supply to consumers.

That doesn't preclude an errant tree or car taking out the line to your house, but at an overall system level there's no concern at the present time about the next week.

With the weather forecast to be sunny and hot, one assumes rooftop solar will be pumping to the max, but aircons will also be sucking hard, so no doubt it will be a stress test for the grid

 

[qldfrog]

With the weather forecast to be sunny and hot, one assumes rooftop solar will be pumping to the max, but aircons will also be sucking hard, so no doubt it will be a stress test for the grid

We have a pretty mild dry sunny weather in Qld right now so i am sure QLD is pumping a lot of good coal power down south day and night

 

[IFocus]

???

The US nuclear fleet averaged 93.1% capacity factor in 2023.

UK it was 72.2% in 2022.

I think you mean something other than the utilisation rate?

Doh, stand corrected try 70% of electricity produced was by nuclear.

South Korea is aiming for 65% in the future likely able to due to its industrial base load.

edit: couldn't find the reference it was from one of the nuclear associations this shows 64% still the highest

PRIS - Miscellaneous reports - Nuclear Share

pris.iaea.org

 

[sptrawler]

Been there, done that, 9088.

My apologies, I've been using the phone while I was away and it is a pain to use, going back through threads, I must have missed it.
She certainly makes some interesting points.

 

[qldfrog]

And while we try to close all our coal power plants

India reviews $30 billion sulphur-cutting programme for coal plants

India is reviewing a $30 billion program to cut sulphur emissions from coal-fired power plants due to the high costs and limited impact of current technology. The government is considering using cheaper local electrostatic precipitators instead. This move might affect plans to boost coal-fired...

m.economictimes.com

 

[Smurf1976]

With the weather forecast to be sunny and hot, one assumes rooftop solar will be pumping to the max, but aircons will also be sucking hard, so no doubt it will be a stress test for the grid

There are however many offsets:

Every educational facility is shut.

Fewer businesses open on Christmas Day than at any other time of year.

Systems such as air-conditioning and desktop computers in commercial use that are not uncommonly left running 24/7 are more likely to be switched off over the Christmas break. Not consistently, but it's definitely a thing, some companies do have an "everything off" policy at this time of year (mostly due to fire risk).

A significant portion of homes also unoccupied due to visiting family etc,

Hard to prove but realistically less cooking circa 6pm. With people on holidays more use of BBQ's the vast majority of which aren't electric.

Fewer public transport services which includes electric trains and trams in cities.

We're at the peak of sunlight this time of year, doesn't get any better than this. That impacts both solar generation and also makes a small reduction in demand due to lighting.

Put that all together and the effect is a significant offset to temperature-induced consumption.