Thanks for breaking "gas powerplants" into simple and combined cycle turbines. Good to see that most of them have been and, to a slightly lesser extent, continue to be, simple cycle. It's worth explaining to the climate-concerned that these are designed and used for what I like to call "backup power." Given existing wind, new solar and newer batteries, they will only be called on during extended extreme peaks of demand or very low renewables production. They can be turned on and off and ramped quickly.
Given that we don't have magic cheap "300 hour" batteries, backup fuel-fired powerplants are an indispensable part of retiring coal plants and increasing renewables penetration where there is still a lot of coal on the grid like the other commenter about Colorado Springs Utilities. Coal powerplants often take up to 48 hours to start up, and then must run at 50% minimum capacity. Utilities want to leave them on if there is any chance of needing them. This places a false floor on variable renewables. They, like nuclear, aren't really "dispatchable," because they can't be dispatched OFF.
Many climate activists hate to see any "new fossil infrastructure." But it's a YUGE improvement to go from 30 or 40% wind with coal and a bit of gas in the background, to 80% wind and solar and batteries with gas making up the remainder. YUGE!
I was dismayed to hear that my local Colorado Springs Utilities planned to shut down its last coal plant in 2029 and now wants to delay that due to cost increases to renewables because of Trump.
We are decreasing the supply of cheap, clean, and quick to implement energy at the same time demand is skyrocketing because of AI and the fear of falling behind China.
Be prepared to pay more for electricity and experience more long term costs to our climate.
Thanks for breaking "gas powerplants" into simple and combined cycle turbines. Good to see that most of them have been and, to a slightly lesser extent, continue to be, simple cycle. It's worth explaining to the climate-concerned that these are designed and used for what I like to call "backup power." Given existing wind, new solar and newer batteries, they will only be called on during extended extreme peaks of demand or very low renewables production. They can be turned on and off and ramped quickly.
Given that we don't have magic cheap "300 hour" batteries, backup fuel-fired powerplants are an indispensable part of retiring coal plants and increasing renewables penetration where there is still a lot of coal on the grid like the other commenter about Colorado Springs Utilities. Coal powerplants often take up to 48 hours to start up, and then must run at 50% minimum capacity. Utilities want to leave them on if there is any chance of needing them. This places a false floor on variable renewables. They, like nuclear, aren't really "dispatchable," because they can't be dispatched OFF.
Many climate activists hate to see any "new fossil infrastructure." But it's a YUGE improvement to go from 30 or 40% wind with coal and a bit of gas in the background, to 80% wind and solar and batteries with gas making up the remainder. YUGE!
Thanks Fred. Great context.
I was dismayed to hear that my local Colorado Springs Utilities planned to shut down its last coal plant in 2029 and now wants to delay that due to cost increases to renewables because of Trump.
We are decreasing the supply of cheap, clean, and quick to implement energy at the same time demand is skyrocketing because of AI and the fear of falling behind China.
Be prepared to pay more for electricity and experience more long term costs to our climate.