Comments on: Natural Gas Complements Wind & Solar — Or Does It?

By: General Electric Wants to Sell You Everything – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:37:16 +0000

[…] everything.More post from Chris Varrone on CleanTechnica:Why Wind Intermittency is NOT a Big DealNatural Gas Complements Wind & Solar — Or Does It?Photo via mag3737ShareEmailSharePrintDigg No commentsTags:clean energyClean Energycoalcoal […]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Varrone makes a good point that highlights the misunderstanding that most people have about the grid. Natural gas producers and technologists are too quick to seize upon this misunderstanding. However, even with changes in how the grid operates, storage can play an important role in certain key areas. Gas is touted as a means to “firm up” wind, but can really only do so on an hourly basis. Bulk storage can do much more. For example, the pumped storage projects proposed by Gridflex in Wyoming will be able to help wind make much more efficient use of the DC transmission lines that would be coming out of that state; this is more true to renewable energy than filling the line with natural gas power. In Hawaii’s isolated grid, no amount of change in grid operation could substitute for the proposed pumped storage project that can turn the new large proposed wind projects into firm capacity. And in California, where renewables will hit 33% of supply, a new pumped storage project under development near Tehachapi will be able to respond to changes in the grid even faster than batteries, let alone gas peakers. So there is a room for bulk storage in a refined grid.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 04:59:00 +0000

yes, I mentioned that to the editor myself. Notice how I spelled it correctly in the BODY of the article…

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:57:00 +0000

The word you want is “complements”, not “compliments”.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:40:00 +0000

Good points, thanks for making them.

Seems like there’s a need for a significant public information program in many parts of the country to make people aware that there are ways to give them clean energy without requiring their utility bills to soar.

Sounds like the Southeast needs a dose of “free trade”.

By: Christopher Mims

Christopher Mims — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:35:00 +0000

Interesting! GE definitely has a financial interest in providers turning to their natgas plants rather than smartgrid-type solutions where we simply balance power across larger areas. Clearly I need to bone up in this area.

By: @PositivelyBusy

@PositivelyBusy — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Biogas should also be considered first as baseload options for reducing intermittent loads. Biogas provides a greater net environmental benefit than natural gas.